North Sails: Your Opinion, Please . . .

[Dmarina]

Chris: We just ordered our sails from North last week and the representive came out and measured for everything, taking over 2 hrs. Also was informative as these are the first sails for our boat. He gave us alot of information regarding the rigging. They also are local (San Diego). We would recommend them highly. We got a very good price, also. Good luck in your choice. Diane

[cburger]

Need deep pockets

[Cheechako]

For a work of art that also sets well you need : Schattauer Sails Inc.

These guys will not press a cringle in, every one is hand sewn. Leathered/roped corners. But they are racers and sailors too...

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

For a work of art that also sets well you need : Schattauer Sails Inc.

These guys will not press a cringle in, every one is hand sewn. Leathered/roped corners. But they are racers and sailors too...

Another satisfied customer of Schattauer sails.

We had them make a genoa and Assymetrical spinnaker for us as well as various repairs to our previous boat's wardrobe.


Steve B.

PS: Their weakness is Chocolate Chip Cookies

[delmarrey]

I can compliment Schattauer as well. Their price is right but their back log was just too long for me. They are very helpful even if your not buying a new sail.

[sck5]

I got a new main and 140 genoa from the Annapolis North Sails loft last winter. Great sails, good service. They went and visited my boat in Rock Hall to get the measurements right. Also did a good job on the new sail cover for the main. A very good shop. I wouldnt hesitate to do it again.

[btrayfors]

Chris,

Five years ago when Chesapeake Rigging in Annapolis installed a new LeisureFurl boom furler on my 42' sloop, I had the North Sails yard in Annapolis build the mainsail for that furler. Purpose-built, full batten main, with a big roach. They were on time and on price, and gave great service on the boat despite the horrid winter weather conditions (just before Christmas).

That sail has held up very well and has performed beautifully. I couldn't be more pleased.

That said, when I'm next in the market for a sail...and it may be a 130-140% genoa, I surely will give Mack sails a chance to quote. They have a great reputation amongst cruising sailors.

BTW, AFAIK the only lofts in Annapolis which still build sails locally are Scott Sails (that may have changed) and Housley Sailmakers (Glenn is meticulous and very talented -- high-end sails at a high-end price).

Bill

[jimbob]

does anyone know about north sails Sri-Lanka.We need new sails and are in India at the moment the agent here's quote was quite high and wsaid we would have to pay for someone to come and measure them .They are made in Sri Lanka anyway ,so we thought it would be easier to go there,on way to Thailand, and get them direcr,but can't seem to find any phone numbers or info,Thanks

[Harryws]

I purchased a full set (5 sails) from the North Sail Sydney loft in Australia. The best purchase decision I ever made for my 42ft boat. Delivered on time, fit well and aftersail service is very good. I purchased a standard reacher ie one off the shelf to fit my boat. It was made in Sri Lanka. The cloth and cut is North Sails but the stitching is done in Sri Lanka. It is perfect with each panel matching exactly. No over stitch and each line of stitches is strait as a die. Great sail at a very reasonable price. Would purchase again

[jimbob]

thanks,we just really want to know if anyone has ever actually gone to the sri-lankan loft and bought the sails actually in sri-lanka,and not through an agent in a different country thanks again

[Jimbo2010]

Originally Posted by cburger

Need deep pockets

Think about this all the major sailmakers will discount at least 22% off their prices this time of the year, with the economy perhaps more they are hurting.

The small lofts usually can't discount as much they don't buy raw materiel in volume.

Now compare prices.

They should be close $$ but you're getting tremendous tech advances and advise that small lofts simply don't have access to or the $$ to develop.

I know the owners of Doyle and UK, their knowledge is priceless and you can get them on the phone. North & Quantum are great also.

I use Fusion 4 by Quantum for racing, but feel UK & Doyle are better for cruising sail and gear.



.

[afmstm]

We just got new North Sails for Rainshadow, our 38' Camper and Nicholson ketch. We went with North Sails because we liked the salesman in Seattle - he was knowledgable, friendly, and very helpful. And they were price competitive.

However, the sails were a disaster. The geneoa was made too short - the luff requires a ten inch pennant to prevent halyard wraps. The main now has battens, and these do not clear the backstay - not even close. In light air, we cannot tack or jibe unless I literally hang my full weight on the end of the boom, and in good air, the whole rig shakes as the battens pop through. The mizzen is fine, though.

Also, the sail designer clearly did not take any account of the need to balance the rig. With our old sails, it was always easy (and a pleasure) to balance the helm perfectly on almost any point of sail. Now, it's a struggle - and it's obvious why. The designer added to the roaches of the main and mizzen, and reduced the sail area of the genoa by a LOT (especially with it being ten inches too short), so of course now we have bad weather helm.

North Sails have agreed to add some extra length to the top panel of the genoa, although it will still need a 3 or 4 inch pennant to fit. And I don't believe that this is going to give us as good a sail as if they had designed it right from the start. (It's radial cut btw).

They've agreed to cut the roach back on the main, and shorten the battens.

But overall, it was a bad experience, and not one I will repeat. I feel kind of sorry for the salesman in Seattle. Assuming he gave the designer correct measurements, it should not really be seen as his fault. However, it seems he's limited in what he can do. For instance, I would have much preferred them to remake the genoa - adding ten inches to the sail at the foot would have added a lot of useful area and better helped balance the helm. However, that would have required they make a new sail because of the radial cut. Instead, they decided they could squeeze in 7 inches in the upper panels, and save themselves a lot of money, no doubt.

Van

[Jimbo2010]

you must insist on new genoa, they will resell it, don't feel sorry for them.

U can't addon.

The main is ok too big and with trimming the roach down but U should get a discount for their error, if not insist on a new one.

[Christian Van H]

Afmstm, something seems very wrong with this story... First, did your salesman actualy come out and measure your boat? North Sails Annapolis salesman Will Keyworth is driving all the way to Trenton, NJ to measure our boat ( 2 1/2 hours) and is coming again in the spring. I'm trying to imagine how this all happened if North had the correct information... And what possessed them to change the sail plan enough that it has screwed up the boats balance? C

[barnakiel]

What else would you expect? It is a good loft with long tradition.

I would NEVER reject a great quote from N-S. What a pity they never gave me one ;-)

b.