Cost for replacement sails?

[FruiVita]

I'm looking at a boat (to buy) and it needs the genoa and main replaced. It's an Irwin 37 CC and I'm wondering (ballpark) how much I should budget for replacement sails. I'll be doing most of my sailing in the Chesapeake, where the winds are generally light, but in 5-6 years I plan to take her to the islands. Not sure whether this is a factor or what the sail-buying factors are. I don't necessarily want or need 'new' sails but I also don't know much about buying sails, used or otherwise. Advice from this esteemed forum is most welcome.

[Vasco]

A good local loft about 4-5K, less if you go with something from China, Thailand, etc. I prefer a local loft because of the service.

[Pete7]

Vasco is in the area, or you could use the sailrite website for an instant quote. Tick the box at the bottom for them to make the sails for you.

Think about a smaller jib / storm jib if there isn't one on board.

Sailrite Sailplan Database

Pete

[skipmac]

I agree with the above prices. I just bought a new main and 135 genoa from a US sailmaker for right at $6000.

If you want to give them a try I recommend Mack Sails in FL. I compared their price to the price quoted by the US office of a sailmaker in China and they were about the same.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I agree with the above prices. I just bought a new main and 135 genoa from a US sailmaker for right at $6000.

If you want to give them a try I recommend Mack Sails in FL. I compared their price to the price quoted by the US office of a sailmaker in China and they were about the same.

I ordered new sails for my 393 from Mack too. Have to wait until I get to FL to get them. They were a bit more than the cheapest offshore ones but I think the service might be better.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Vasco

I ordered new sails for my 393 from Mack too. Have to wait until I get to FL to get them.

I had them UPS'd to me and it wasn't that much. Have to go find the invoice to be sure but I think it was under $200. Less than it would have cost in time, gas and wear on the car to go pick them up.

But on the other hand, a trip to FL to pick up the new sails is a good excuse to head south.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I had them UPS'd to me and it wasn't that much. Have to go find the invoice to be sure but I think it was under $200. Less than it would have cost in time, gas and wear on the car to go pick them up.

But on the other hand, a trip to FL to pick up the new sails is a good excuse to head south.

My boat's in Florida. I'll be there later this year. Not cold enough to head south yet. But it won't be long. They're going to bring them to Vero when I get there.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Vasco

My boat's in Florida. I'll be there later this year. Not cold enough to head south yet. But it won't be long. They're going to bring them to Vero when I get there.

I guess you guys up north have a higher tolerance for cold. It was 35 degrees in north Florida this morning and I'm starting to wonder if its time for me to go south.

[Vasco]

50 deg F, no snow yet. I usually go down after US Thanksgiving. I was impressed by Mack's service. They got a guy to measure my sails and the boat's up in Fernandina Beach.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Vasco

50 deg F, no snow yet. I usually go down after US Thanksgiving. I was impressed by Mack's service. They got a guy to measure my sails and the boat's up in Fernandina Beach.

I bought a sail from them when they were Mack-Shaw in Ft Lauderdale thirty years ago. They were very good to deal with then and still are now.

Had been talking to them about new sails for months. On one call he mentioned that their costs for sail cloth were going up and he would have to pass along the costs. So I went ahead and locked in but asked them to hold off for six months since I wasn't ready to launch. They did, held the price and held off shipping an extra couple of months since I was out of town for a while.

Always there to answer questions and offer free advise as well.

[sck5]

I have a 140 for the Chesapeake. Most people in the islands (including me) used a 110. My 110 is still a pretty good early spring/late fall sail

[FruiVita]

Thanks for the feedback. I asked for a cost estimate and got so much more helpful info!

[islandplanet]

Originally Posted by Vasco

A good local loft about 4-5K, less if you go with something from China, Thailand, etc. I prefer a local loft because of the service.

Rick,

The location of the loft rarely has anything to do with where sails are manufactured. Most Dacron sails, regardless of brand, are made offshore. And it's not a bad thing as the better offshore lofts produce quality products. As you mention, service is important, whether the loft is next to the marina or on the other side of the country.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by islandplanet

Rick,

The location of the loft rarely has anything to do with where sails are manufactured. Most Dacron sails, regardless of brand, are made offshore. And it's not a bad thing as the better offshore lofts produce quality products. As you mention, service is important, whether the loft is next to the marina or on the other side of the country.

My sails were made in the loft in FL. They were not made offshore. I know many "lofts" are little more than P.O. Boxes. Always ask where the sails are being made. As I said, many are just "agents" and apparently anyone can become a "sailmaker", fill in the blanks, send the e-mail to China.

[Navicula]

please give somerset sails a call.........they are in up state new york and they make the sails right there..........martin is very very knowledgeable about wind power.(trust me)....he has been making sails for many years and has customers all over the world including russia

they have a website and there prices are..........well I will say the best