Has anyone out there done business with an outfit called FarEast Sails? They purportedly are a sail loft in Hong Kong that features very good prices. They advertise and do business over the Net. However, is it too good to be true? Can they be trusted?
melendezsal@yahoo.com
Sails
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Warren Kaplan
Re: Sails
Victor,Victor A. Melendez wrote: Has anyone out there done business with an outfit called FarEast Sails? They purportedly are a sail loft in Hong Kong that features very good prices. They advertise and do business over the Net. However, is it too good to be true? Can they be trusted?
I know nothing about Far East Sails, but as one who has been doing alot of "research" in anticipation of getting a new mainsail for my CD27, let me say that "The devil is in the details". You've got to do some homework (if you can) on their product. Whose sailcloth do they use? What type and what weight and is it top of the line cloth? That's very important or your new sail will be an old sail in no time!How do they stitch their sails? What kind of hardware and how is that hardware connected to the sail? There are endless details to consider. Also, they are half way around the world. What kind of service will they provide if your sail arrives and it is cut badly, or fits poorly, or you are unhappy with it for other reasons? Who will be available to fix it? Your sails are too important to take chances with. If Far East can measure up here then fine. But sails are one area I wouldn't want to be penny wise and pound foolish. I'd pay the extra bucks to a reputable sailmaker with a known track record for quality of product, satisfaction of the customer, and availablity of service. That's what I've decided to do after months of inquires.
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Setsail728@aol.com
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Steve Alarcon
Re: Sails
I just ordered a main, stays'l and yankee for our CD36 after spending a year in research and study (I read Sailmakers apprentice cover to cover plus everything I could pull down from the net). I thought I had learned quite a bit, but found that when I asked for bids that there was still much to be learned. Aside from the technical details, here is what I learned:
First, ordering over the net would necessitate that you do your own measuring, which needs to be done very precisely. Unless you have owned your vessel since new, there is no guarentee that it has not been modified in some way. Another consideration is that a local loft will be able to design a sail that is suitable for the wind conditions of your area and how you sail your boat. The final thought is that the loft can make recommendations for changes to your existing configuration that may improve safety, longevity and performance. There has been a lot of technical advances in the last few years.
Good luck!
Steve Alarcon
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle
First, ordering over the net would necessitate that you do your own measuring, which needs to be done very precisely. Unless you have owned your vessel since new, there is no guarentee that it has not been modified in some way. Another consideration is that a local loft will be able to design a sail that is suitable for the wind conditions of your area and how you sail your boat. The final thought is that the loft can make recommendations for changes to your existing configuration that may improve safety, longevity and performance. There has been a lot of technical advances in the last few years.
Good luck!
Steve Alarcon
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle
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Bob Loewenstein
Re: Sails
I had new sails done in New Zealand where the exchange rate is (and has been) very favorable. Basically half price using Doyle Sails in Nelson (Murray Glue recommended them). I wanted a Dutchman system installed on the main, but decided to take care of that in the US.
I did have to measure alot of things on the boat (many times to make sure I did them correctly). But I travel to New Zealand frequently and was able to meet with the sailmaker and work things out. I did have to supply the knowledge of my sailing conditions, and the sailmaker was not able to check things on the boat, but those were known risks which I was willing to take and don't regret it.
I did have to have one modification of the genoa tack, but Doyle in the US did it at a reduced rate. Even with this 'fix' I still got a bargain. I'm very happy with this decision.
I did have to measure alot of things on the boat (many times to make sure I did them correctly). But I travel to New Zealand frequently and was able to meet with the sailmaker and work things out. I did have to supply the knowledge of my sailing conditions, and the sailmaker was not able to check things on the boat, but those were known risks which I was willing to take and don't regret it.
I did have to have one modification of the genoa tack, but Doyle in the US did it at a reduced rate. Even with this 'fix' I still got a bargain. I'm very happy with this decision.