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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Sails - Material Grade, etc

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3460 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/27/2007 : 11:38:32

The time has finally come for me to stop procrastinating and get new sails. I am getting a few quotes semi-locally (Doyle and Quantum - Quantum Headquartered in Annapolis, MD) and also considering FX Sails mainly because their site has a good deal of info including on-line options to build a quote. I am leaning toward Quantum. High quality but you pay for that - Sails are about $300-$400 more than FX Sails (and still waiting on Doyle to get back to me). Quantum will also visit my tall rig and take measurements eliminating any possible glitches and potentially sizing the main with a more fuller cut.

I found a website (Mack Sails, Florida) that had a good description of the various sail matls because I was finding it hard to compare what one sailmaker offers versus another.

Sail Material Grades: Challenge is one of the main makers of the sail cloths and they sell Dacron Matls believe in 4 grades. At the low end is a "Performance" grade, but many sailmakers offer sails in the next grade - "High Modulus". Then comes "High Aspect" and "Marblehead". These two last grades are used by some sailmakers because they provide longer lasting sails and performance since they take more years to stretch. THese last two grades also are the only ones which permit use of high end stitching/yarn that further reduces stretch. They are tighter woven Dacron that the other grades.

Any opinions regarding the choice of matls...or most did not get into that detail when purchasing ?

Also, Quantum is recommending I go with 1 full batten and 3 oversized but partial battens (whatever that means), loose foot. Genoa - Rcmding I replace my 110 and 150 Furling Rig Genoas with a 150 (or 140) Furling Rig Genoa. Their reasoning is that once I use the new Genoa, I won't want to periodically take it off and replace with my old 150. Opinions ?

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2007 : 13:46:54

A while back, I went to the local Doyle loft, which had been a UK Sailmakers loft that made my mainsail, and during my conversation with the sales manager, he said for mid to low end sails, pretty much everyone uses the same Dacron fabric. He added that when the loft converted from UK, they even used the same fabric and sail cutting software with the only real change being the proprietary brand name fabrics used in the high end, high dollar sails.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2007 : 17:22:55

Larry,

Take the lofts best recommendation on their cruising sails. The heavier the dacron in a particular sail the better. They'll last longer.

I have not heard of anyone getting three "oversize" battens and one regular. Usually it's all full length, or on full length on top if you get a full roach (it supports the additonal cloth up top). Personnal I like the full batten main.

As far as size of genoa to get, most everyone here who has upgraded from the 110 has gone to a 135. I went from a 150 to a 135 and like it much better. In my opinion the winches are too undersize to handle a 150 and it's difficult to handle if you single hand. I think most everyone who has gone to the 135 will agree that they like that size as being optimal for the sailing needs.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3460 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2007 : 19:42:33

Thanks for the comments. The battens discussion did surprise me. If I do go with Quantum, I will ask them more about it and possibly go with more or all full battens. Right now, I have the std catalina sails and so it has the short battens. I was out today and started to put out my 150 Genoa but the breeze was pretty stiff and gusty so I furled it back in and had a hard time doing that. Otherwise, I have found the 150 genoa fine having put it on about a month ago. It has not tangled and most times not a problem using the winches but then again I was not doing any efficient racing. If it gets hard pulling it in, I just head into the wind a bit and then pull it tighter. But...140 would do okay as well and so I will also ask them about that.

Quantum makes their performance cruising crosscut main and head sails mainly in Challenge "High Aspect" matl. They will offer lower grade matl but do not recommend it.

Most important thing Thursday was I broke the news to my wife as to how much it might cost (having already primed her over the summer that it would probably cost about S2000 ($1000/sail). I told her to take a guess how much the estimate was from Quantum. So she expected the worse and guessed $3000. I told her it was $2700+ but after further discussions with them they came down to $2512 that's for 100% High Aspect Matl on both with sail bags, tsaking measurements onboard, Main sail w/battens, telltales, reef, loose foot and the furling rig 150 w/foam luff, telltales. Any issues, they are local and so I can fairly easily go back to them - I like that !
It is more expensive than what I can get that is not local (Ullman, FX Sails, etc). Ullman - A lot of people are satisfied with them...but their website has very little info regarding the Dacron Fabric or other details (Guess you get that info over the phone but I like it in print). FX Sails is about $400 less than Quantum, but w/Challenge High Modulus matl which is the less expensive grade from Challenge and I then take the measurements. I do sail all year and so...my thinking is that like going with the better grade matl - It is definitely a tighter weave Dacron looking at what Mack Sails in Florida describes on their website.

But now that I have spousal approval...I am on independent OPS - Like a kid in a candy store !! I think I can hold off maybe a week before I decide - Getting anxious !! Curious about Doyle and what they have to say...so I will give them a few days longer.

Edited by - OLarryR on 10/27/2007 19:48:56

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2007 : 08:43:39

Larry,

Ask Quantum if they install a luff rope instead of the foam luff pad on their genoas. North installed one on my 135 and I am very happy with it. It serves the same function as the pad but is far less bulky on the furler.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.