New Sails

[jan.thirkettle@zoom.co.uk]

Folks,

I'm thinking about treating Olivia Anne to a new suit of sails - something mid range-ish, nothing too fancy (budgets...)
Does anyone have any thoughts/advice/favourites/war stories as regards sail lofts, service, prices and technologies? Also any tips around when to buy to get best price?
Thoughts much appreciated!
Cheers
Jan

[Robin Stevenson]

Hi Jan

What you get out of a new set of sails will depend on your input and the input of the sail maker.  Thus it is essential that you find a sailmaker you can get on with.  This is more important than anything in my view.

Olli is a quarter tonner right?  Find out who's rocking in that world and look hard at the sail maker they use.  Most makers do a good job...the all use very similar design software.

I use North, but before that was with Sobstad...I only changed cos the guy I dealt with moved to North.  If you do choose to talk to North, give them a call and ask for Jeremy Robinson.  Top guy and very easy to talk to.

Good luck and have fun.

[jan.thirkettle@zoom.co.uk]

Thanks for the tips Robin - time to do a little research I feel. A lot of the guys have gone with Quantum, but I'll do a little more digging.
More time to save up too.
Cheers
Jan

Hi Jan

What you get out of a new set of sails will depend on your input and the input of the sail maker.  Thus it is essential that you find a sailmaker you can get on with.  This is more important than anything in my view.

Olli is a quarter tonner right?  Find out who's rocking in that world and look hard at the sail maker they use.  Most makers do a good job...the all use very similar design software.

I use North, but before that was with Sobstad...I only changed cos the guy I dealt with moved to North.  If you do choose to talk to North, give them a call and ask for Jeremy Robinson.  Top guy and very easy to talk to.

Good luck and have fun.

[Steve Vyse]

Jan,

Barda has also gone with Quantum mainly because I got so much unbridalled enthusiasm from Ed Hill and his boss Peter Kay.

They really listened to what I wanted and seemed to do a great job measuring up - although we have yet to try the new sails round the cans, so far with a couple of offshores under Quantum Power I'm a happy bunny. I also talked with North, Dolphin, Hyde and Revolution but to be frank only Quantum seemed to 'get' what I was asking for (the really deep reefs in our new main saved the day getting home from the Pactolus).

Quantum also delivered a week earlier than expected which was a real bonus. You can call Peter or Ed on 02380 458213 and no I'm not on commission!

Steve V