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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Suggestions for new sails

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jesse camp
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/26/2006 : 16:22:35

I am looking for suggestions for buying new sails for my C-25
1987 SR SK. The current sails are a 135 ,jib, and original
partially battened main. The the jib is in great shape but the main and 135 are on their last season. I sail on east coast of Florida
and keys, I do not race, but I like to go fast. I favor economy and longevity over performance. I also use a CDI furler FF4. I consider myself a intermediate sailor.

Looking for
1) Supplier/sailmaker
2) upgrade to full battens on main?
3) Dacron cloth weight pros/cons 4.5-6.4
4) Sunbrella vs UV Dacron
5) Other considerations for durability and performance.

Thank you.

Jesse Camp
Sea Trekker 87 5550 SR SK
Orlando, Fl

Jesse Camp

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2006 : 16:34:34

I live in Kansas, there is no such thing as a local sail loft. If I had a chance to develop a relationship with a local loft I would be in heaven. Check out Catalinadirect.com and cruisingdirect.com for a baseline on good inexpensive sails. After that go with local knowledge on the weight. Full battens and loose foot are wonderful attributes for a sail and I would not order one any different. Full battens give you shape in all conditions and make handling the sail so much easier. Loose foot means you really can adjust your foot! I like Gary Swensen of Ulman Ventura because he has made more Catalina sails that anyone, he is reasonable and they are a good quality. He makes the off the shelf sails at Catalinadirect.com but for very nearly the same money he will make you a custom sail. New sails are a hoot, enjoy.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2006 : 17:00:32

I've been extremely pleased with my sails from www.epsails.com.

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2006 : 22:35:42

I purchased my new main this year from cruising direct as Frank had posted earlier.
I live in RI so It was a no brainier (their loft is in Portsmouth RI) for me. But I have been very pleased with the service and the quality.
I opted for the loose footed, 2 full batten main i think 5 or 6oz dacron.
All the options, and as i said im very happy, it is a custom sail.
Meaning they take your measurements and build to suit, I ended up having the rep out sailing with me and he was more then happy to come check it all out. Sailing with him has become a regular occurrence. My rep went out of his way many times to take are of any of the little things i needed.

They are serviced and produce under North Sails

If you wise to contact them
http://www.cruisingdirect.com/
1-888-424-7328
Sven Rand is the sales rep/manager.
If you do call tell him that Adam referred you over im sure he would be very happy to make another c25 main!

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2006 : 06:08:33

Jesse, I would recommend that you talk to sailors in your area about what sail configuration works there. For example, the "how many full battens" argument has been hotly debated in this forum for years. The advantage of talking to a sailmaker as opposed to ordering stock sails is that a good sailmaker will ask you where you sail, what kind of sailing you do, and what you want the sail to do. There's a real difference in the kind of sail needed in SF Bay where the winds blow pretty hard, and here in the Chesapeake where we have light winds in summer punctuated by squalls.

Brooke

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2006 : 07:08:27

I also went with Cruising Direct ealier this year when I replaced my genoa. I did a lot of research and even my local North loft recommended Cruising Direct since it is the same sail, just sewn in Asia. Our boats are also so popular that we usually don't need someone to come out to our boats and measure the correct size. I have been very happy with my purchase.

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2006 : 22:56:12

Justin,

I read your post and looks like we shared the same experience!
However, as popular as are boats are there can always be some deviation. In my particular case I beleive that there has been some kind of adjustment or something that is not factory on the boat. I say this because my max hoist is a few feet diffrent then the Catalina specs list it as. I cant seem to figure out what was change/altered but I never would have known if i didnt measure.
Unless of course i measured wrong :)

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 08:13:20

Can you say tall rig?

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 23:44:43

Frank,

The measurements met neither tall nor standard rig.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2006 : 09:25:55

It would be a rare situation where a person would re-rig a Catalina 25 unless there was an accident involved, Can you post several photos of the mast step, gooseneck, mast gate and mast head? I wonder what spar your PO used.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2006 : 22:05:53

Adam, you're goose neck does slide correct? Mine was frozen in place and I didn't realize that it could slide. It turned out after taking a hammer and tapping it with some lubricant, it was free. This raised my boom a few inches and allowed the sail to go all the way to the mast head. You mention a few feet, which sounds like a lot, so maybe this is not your case. What are the measurements and where are you measuring?

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2006 : 18:30:48

Frank,
I will certainly get some pictures for you before I have the boat hauled.

Justin,
Yes the goseneck is free.
Raising the main was alot tougher then it had to be thou. Some Slug lube worked wonders :D

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.