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Online sail loft

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/18/2008 : 13:01:02

http://nationalsail.com/ushop/index.cgi?ID=NFBUES&task=show&cat=Catalina+25+Std+Rig+Sails

Anyone have any experience with this loft? Seems like their prices are really, really good. I'm looking in particular at their 170 drifter.

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 13:09:54

I have not purchased sails from them but get there catalogue every season. I hage not heard anything adverse.

I purchased other equipment, i.e. a "tacker" for my cruising spinnaker a couple of years ago. Price was reasonable.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 14:17:18

I bought a 135% from them and am very happy with it. The delivery was on time. The sail looks great. The price was right. Their sails are Rolly Tasker made in Thailand.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 14:39:31

If it helps, we've got a Rolly Tasker storm jib, and it's very well made.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 16:31:55

Ben

If you check the archives their are many threads on discount sail lofts. I have purchased a sail cover from from National as well as main and head sail from Ullman/Ventura, the unofficial/official supplier of Catalina Sails. Both are excellent, great service, etc, and pricing was within a five bucks of each other.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 16:43:28

I got a price for a spinnaker /sock from ullman $3300... $2500 on sale

$800 from national they cannt be apples for apples but ....im thinking national

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 18:38:58

I bought a 135 genoa from National in Brooksville, FL last year and am very happy with it. Very pleasant experience.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2008 : 06:59:56

I bought a Rolly Tasker mainsail and 155 for my C25, and they were well made.

I specified what I wanted with the mainsail, and got a nice sail, suitable for racing or cruising. I wasn't as specific with the genoa, and got a sail that was satisfactory for cruising, but not at all for racing. If you know enough to specify exactly what you want, they can make it for you. If you don't, then you'll get a standard sail suitable for cruising.

If you order from one of the major sailmakers and want a good racing sail, you have to tell them that is what you want, but they can take it from there. You don't have to be nearly so specific.

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2008 : 10:15:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I wasn't as specific with the genoa, and got a sail that was satisfactory for cruising, but not at all for racing. If you know enough to specify exactly what you want, they can make it for you. If you don't, then you'll get a standard sail suitable for cruising. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This would be for both cruising and racing, but mostly racing. We get a lot of light wind days during our Wednesday Night races, and I just can't compete with the water ballast boats. I'm thinking that the gain from a 170 would more than compensate for the penalty of flying the oversized headsail. Anyway, since we often get winds less than 5 mph, would it really matter if it is a "cruising" 170 vs. a "racing" 170? I'm sure this is my ignorance being exposed.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2008 : 11:10:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ben
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I wasn't as specific with the genoa, and got a sail that was satisfactory for cruising, but not at all for racing. If you know enough to specify exactly what you want, they can make it for you. If you don't, then you'll get a standard sail suitable for cruising. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">This would be for both cruising and racing, but mostly racing. We get a lot of light wind days during our Wednesday Night races, and I just can't compete with the water ballast boats. I'm thinking that the gain from a 170 would more than compensate for the penalty of flying the oversized headsail. Anyway, since we often get winds less than 5 mph, would it really matter if it is a "cruising" 170 vs. a "racing" 170? I'm sure this is my ignorance being exposed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Same here, Ben! That's why I didn't get the genoa that I hoped for.

I'd suggest you talk to the salesperson, and ask those questions. Perhaps another way to approach it is to find someone on the forum who has a 170, and ask him to measure his 170 and tell you what weight sailcloth was used. If you have the length of the luff, foot, and LP and weight of the sailcloth, and specify the type of attachment at the luff, and specify that you want leech lines and any other options, I would think they should be able to make a sail to those specs. It's important that the measurements be carefully taken, because, if they're inaccurate, you would have to have the sail modified at your expense.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 11/19/2008 11:16:02

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2008 : 15:17:40

Thanks Steve, I'll definitely talk to the salesperson about these things. Now I just gotta wait to see if Santa Christmas Bonus is big enough, or if I have to wait for Santa Tax Refund.

Edited by - on

islandplanet
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2008 : 00:18:54

You may want to check us out as well. We are a hybrid loft spanning the divide between an "internet sailmaker" and a full service neighborhood loft. We've worked with many Catalina owners. In fact our first few years of business we relied heavily on our Catalina owners to keep our doors open. We've supplied sails for practically every model from the 22 to the 42 and we'll soon be doing some sails for a 470. One of Catalina owners did Pacific Cup this year with a set of Bainbridge CL working sails and a new assymetrical that we built for him.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2008 : 07:12:57

I certainly will, I'll visit your website and email you through there.

Thanks!

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2008 : 14:52:56

Update on the 170% drifter. This is what I heard back from National, in case anyone else is interested.

"Our 170% drifter is ideal for light wind sailing, whether racing or just cruising. This sail is built in .75oz spinnaker nylon (your choice of color) but is designed like a large genoa, so it can be used both upwind and off the wind. A very versatile sail."

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 10:56:07

I highly recommend North Sails Direct. I bought a genoa 135 2.5 years ago from them when they were under the name Cruising Direct (CD). Back then my local North Sails loft even recommended I just go with CD because our C-25 are so popular, they have the sails already made and are supposed to be the same quality and materials. CD has always been North Sails mail order division. Well, 2 weekends ago my leach trim edge tore 10-12' off when it caught on the spreader. It turned out the threads were badly UV damaged and separated so easily; fortunately the dacron was in great shape. This did not seem normal, especially when my 26 year old main doesn't have this kind of wear. I called North Sails Direct and spoke to Dan who actually sold me my sail originally. He was very helpful and told me he wanted to personally take a look at it. They paid for the UPS shipping to them, so it didn't cost me anything. They got it two days ago and just this morning Dan gave me a call with some excellent news. It turns out they had a bad batch of thread when they created my sail. He just shipped out a brand new replacement genoa 135 to me today! Obviously I was a little shocked to see the damage/wear initially, but North Sails stands behind their product, admitted there was a mistake and is providing EXCELLENT customer service. I am so happy they are taking care of it since originally I planned to take it to my local loft and pay to have it repaired. So, this is two thumbs up to North Sails Direct

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 11:39:49

Excellent customer service, Justin.
Ben, interesting quote from National since the 170 listed on their website shows 1.5 oz material for their 170. Is .75 oz. an optional choice?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 16:50:33

Justin,

Thanks for sharing your story ! #1 sailmaker provides top rate service !

You be sailing this winter ? We have had high winds, cold weather and I have had a cold which I am just now getting over, but I will be sailing thru the winter. I recall you have your boat on the Chesapeake and given that distance from where you live, you were considering taking a break from sailing. Sounds like you are back into the swing of things again.

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