Mainsail quote

[Duncan]

I have a quote for a new mainsail from Neil Pryde sails, but it's enough money that I want to check around a bit before I commit. Anyone have any testimonials or preferences?

My intended use could include "offshore" (East Coast, North Atlantic), but wouldn't be as demanding as 'circumnavigation'.
In other words, I would still expect the sail to perform well/be durable, but it doesn't need to be as totally bulletproof as for a "two-year circumnavigation".

So far, the specs are:
6.5 oz ("Challenge 6.63 HA HM")
Two reefs + flattener/shelf, jacklines, cunningham.
Semi-full battens
"Tradewinds" specs.

I guess my options would be other North American sail lofts, or the "Rolly Tasker" offshore option.

I'd say I'm looking for performance and value - not the very best 'ultimate sail', or the very lowest price, but a good solid blend of reliability, performance and fair value for the money spent.

Any experience to lend? Thanks!

[Dave H]

On page 472 of Emiliano Marino's book, "The Sailmaker's Apprentice" he lists 15 "sailmakers who specialize in sailmaking to the standards and principles espoused in this book."
The author's contact information is,
Emiliano Marino
c/o International Marine
PO Box 220
Camden, Maine 04843
207-236-4837

[tartansailor]

There is so much that goes into the design and construction, that
no quick answer here will suffice. Start with the cloth. You most definitely want American made. Next stitching, and thread.
Read Sail Power by Wally Ross, then you will know what questions to ask of your sail maker.
Dick

[Duncan]

...Emiliano Marino's book, "The Sailmaker's Apprentice"...

I enjoyed reading a few pages of the book online last night, and really enjoyed it, thanks!

...no quick answer...

That's ok, what I'm interested in is the experience of those with similar boats (as below).

I've had good experience in relation to performance and value with Doyle Sails. They are American made with regional lofts at least in the NE and Florida. I've ordered a mainsail, a 150 and 115 from them on my last boat (San Juan 23) and my CD-22 came with Doyle sails (mainsail and 130 genoa) less than 10 years old, still in very good condition.

Thanks, Warren.

[Bob Condon]

I had my mainsail built by Doyle in Salem, Mass. and been very pleased.Because I never had a sail built, they sat down with me and helped me decide what I needed, what I wanted and what I could afford.

I had the sail built in the fall and could pick up when done. They gave me around $300 off the normal price they quoted at the shows and we compared that with other Doyle facilities though they did not know it. The only slightly cheaper model was the Doyle facility in the Annapolis area would have the Salem office cut the material, send it to Annapolis and then would be shipped to me. Because I sail out of Salem, it was better to work with the local folks and support their livelihood even if it cost em a little more.

Doyle also threw in washing of my genoa and jib and I paid for repair time which was another $75 or so.

Doyle were great to work with and they continue to maintain my sails.

Bob Condon

[Ron Churgin]

I bought a set of Neil Pryde sails two seasons ago. I sail off the south shore of Long island, mostly day sailing. They have held up well and seem quite sturdy. The sail loft owner came out to my boat and measured and installed making sure everything fit well.

I went with the full battens which work nicely with my lazy jacks. Though I am certainly not an expert and all I can compare them to are the twenty year old sails they replaced, I have been happy with them and they work well. The sail loft I purchased them from has also given me good service. (Sailors Choice in Amityville, NY).

[Dick Kobayashi]

Hi Duncan - Greetings from Mattapoisett. Just a thought - you might take a look at the FeNIX website - as I recall Fred outfitted FeNIX with used sails for his circumnavigation and posted the process of buying and his final decisions on his website.

Also I once had a Genoa made and was surprised at the value added that I got from having a local firm do the work as they came out to the Boat and measures and then rigged the new sail for me. Local on-call advise has a value, I have found.

[Duncan]

Thanks, Bob and Ron, for your hands-on experience with Doyle and Neil Pryde.
There is a local agent for Neil Pryde, so that's a plus.

Hi back at you, Dick, I really like Mattapoisett! I'm meaning to give Ron a shout, at Eastern Sails and Canvas. (In fact, I tried to get the ball rolling on this last summer, when I bumped into you, but he was too busy to do any new work at the time.)

I'm generally ok with used sails, since I've had good experience with them, but the long foot on Cape Dory mainsails makes it hard to find a good fit.

I wrote in to a place that broadcasts requests to sailmakers for you, and I have three responses back so far.
North had a reasonable price, but offered very little detail on construction and options.