As a sailmaker who specializes in working with cruisers around the world I have a few insights to share.
Tip #1 - Never rely on any sort of database dimensions for your boat or measurements from a sistership. We use the rig database for quoting purposes but we would never chance building a sail without physical measurements from the rig. The only exception is tightly controlled one design sails. For example we can supply a sail for a J-24 without detailed rig dimensions.
Tip #2 - Old sails are not a reliable guide for making new sails. They have usually stretched and may not have even been built for the boat in the first place. Some information like luff tape size and luff hardware is derived from the old sail but all other information comes from measuring the rig.
Tip #3 - In five years of running my business I have had only two customers that have had issues with the fit of their sails. Ironically one was a gentleman with a P-365 who was thousands of miles away from his boat when he ordered sails. Sadly he entrusted the all important task of measuring to someone at the marina. One of his sails did not fit properly.
Tip #4 - Caveat Emptor! Prices way lower than average are too good to be true. Many internet based sail vendors buy their sails from lofts that use seconds, which is sailcloth that has failed quality control tests performed by the cloth manufacturer. The best production lofts do not deal with individual boat owners, instead preferring to deal with sailmakers. The reason is simple. When we submit an order we supply the design files and all the info the loft needs to build the sail without them having to spend time interacting with us. It's a streamline process for everyone and requires less administrative staff for the loft.
Tip# 5 - Whoever you buy sails from should be asking about your sailing plans and how you sail. There are many different levels of cloth quality and finish. What will work fine for a coastal cruiser / weekend sailor is not appropriate for someone with bluewater inspirations.
Tip #6 - Full batten mainsails have advantages and disadvantages. Your sailmaker should take the time to explain these. We send out a PDF to anyone inquiring about fully battened sails to help educate them on this topic. Sailmakers make more money selling full battened sails but I don't feel it's right to gloss over that decision lightly.
Tip #7 - Full service lofts generally make more money on service work than by selling new sails. Older Dacron sails may look okay but they have often stretched leading to excessive heeling and limited pointing ability. Get quotes on a new sail before spending much money on repairs if your sail is older. Hint: If your sails are original they probably aren't worth fixing. We look at things on a life cycle cost basis. How many seasons can we expect a repair to provide and what is that cost per season compared with the cost per season of a new sail. Additionally with a new sail there is far less chance of a failure occurring at an inopportune moment.
Tip #1 - Never rely on any sort of database dimensions for your boat or measurements from a sistership. We use the rig database for quoting purposes but we would never chance building a sail without physical measurements from the rig. The only exception is tightly controlled one design sails. For example we can supply a sail for a J-24 without detailed rig dimensions.
Tip #2 - Old sails are not a reliable guide for making new sails. They have usually stretched and may not have even been built for the boat in the first place. Some information like luff tape size and luff hardware is derived from the old sail but all other information comes from measuring the rig.
Tip #3 - In five years of running my business I have had only two customers that have had issues with the fit of their sails. Ironically one was a gentleman with a P-365 who was thousands of miles away from his boat when he ordered sails. Sadly he entrusted the all important task of measuring to someone at the marina. One of his sails did not fit properly.
Tip #4 - Caveat Emptor! Prices way lower than average are too good to be true. Many internet based sail vendors buy their sails from lofts that use seconds, which is sailcloth that has failed quality control tests performed by the cloth manufacturer. The best production lofts do not deal with individual boat owners, instead preferring to deal with sailmakers. The reason is simple. When we submit an order we supply the design files and all the info the loft needs to build the sail without them having to spend time interacting with us. It's a streamline process for everyone and requires less administrative staff for the loft.
Tip# 5 - Whoever you buy sails from should be asking about your sailing plans and how you sail. There are many different levels of cloth quality and finish. What will work fine for a coastal cruiser / weekend sailor is not appropriate for someone with bluewater inspirations.
Tip #6 - Full batten mainsails have advantages and disadvantages. Your sailmaker should take the time to explain these. We send out a PDF to anyone inquiring about fully battened sails to help educate them on this topic. Sailmakers make more money selling full battened sails but I don't feel it's right to gloss over that decision lightly.
Tip #7 - Full service lofts generally make more money on service work than by selling new sails. Older Dacron sails may look okay but they have often stretched leading to excessive heeling and limited pointing ability. Get quotes on a new sail before spending much money on repairs if your sail is older. Hint: If your sails are original they probably aren't worth fixing. We look at things on a life cycle cost basis. How many seasons can we expect a repair to provide and what is that cost per season compared with the cost per season of a new sail. Additionally with a new sail there is far less chance of a failure occurring at an inopportune moment.