My jib is tired. I have been looking for a new one and the prices vary from $1680 at FX Sails to $2,935 at North Saiils. The product appears to be identical. Does any one have some positive feedback on sail lofts and pricing? Thanks in advance.
time for a new head sail fo Hunter 35
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I would be interested to know what the North loft would respond to that. I found the same thing. After buying a new North main I went a year or two later for the foresail, yankee in my case. North was over $1000. more than my eventual choice, Lee Sails in Hong Kong. This was for an oversized sail and Lee paid for the shipment of my old sail both ways. The sail is as good as any I have ever studied and looks like new after nine years.
When you get a quote on a sail you need to be sure that you are getting a quote on the SAME material (cloth & weight) from all the mfg. You also need to know how they are going to stitch it and what they are using for thread.
I am NOT sticking up for North, but they typically do not use the same cloth that you will find at the SBO loft, they probably use one of the North products.
When you start looking at cloth from a "good" sailmaker, they can show you the difference in two cloths that are rated the same, but there may be 50% or more difference in the cost because of the design of the fabric.
There is also a lot of difference in how the stress points are reinforced. When you start looking at the cost of a sail and there is $200-400 difference, remember that this sail is probably going to last for 8-12 years so you can justify the difference based on a few dollar more per year.
I am NOT sticking up for North, but they typically do not use the same cloth that you will find at the SBO loft, they probably use one of the North products.
When you start looking at cloth from a "good" sailmaker, they can show you the difference in two cloths that are rated the same, but there may be 50% or more difference in the cost because of the design of the fabric.
There is also a lot of difference in how the stress points are reinforced. When you start looking at the cost of a sail and there is $200-400 difference, remember that this sail is probably going to last for 8-12 years so you can justify the difference based on a few dollar more per year.
Steve is giving good advice. A sail made with 5oz and a sail made with 6oz are significantly different.
On a different note. If you haven't called FX and only have their electronic quote, I found they would lower prices even further over the phone. It's worth a shot if you haven't.
Bob
On a different note. If you haven't called FX and only have their electronic quote, I found they would lower prices even further over the phone. It's worth a shot if you haven't.
Bob
I know several sailors who ordered from FX and their sails were considerably late on delivery. One had ordered at the beginning of December, and had been quoted SIX WEEKS. He only got his sail about two weeks ago. That's only about ten weeks late.
I would always pay more to deal with a local loft. Ten or fifteen percent would be fine. But not forty or fifty percent. The $300. premium mentioned would be fine if a loft was coming to the boat to measure and install.
Friend of mine ordered a new main and 150 furling headsail from FX end of last season. He spoke to Bill James at FX a number of times concerning price, delivery, measurements, and options. He got great support and negotiated a great price. His sails were delivered on time, at a great price (IMHO), look great and fit his boat perfectly. If I were in the market for sails, I'd be talking to Bill James at FX....
As an update to this question I contacted Sobstad in Westbrook CT. They quoted $1,548 for a new 135 jib. The sail is 8.3 oz material and appears to be the best buy for the money. I did have this sail on a previous boat and thought the sail was well made.
Once again, there is more to sail cloth quality than the weight of the cloth.
This should help explain some things that we all want to know but do not know to ask.
http://www.ukhalsey.com/LearningCenter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia.asp#1
This should help explain some things that we all want to know but do not know to ask.
http://www.ukhalsey.com/LearningCenter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia.asp#1
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