Buying Sails

[MichaelNW]

I am purchasing a boat that needs a new mainsail. I live in Olympia Washington USA. I am looking at the best combination of price vs. quality within a reasonable distance. I buy a lot online, but I am unsure how that would work with sails, but I am willing to entertain the possibility.

The other sails need inspection and repair/restitching/refurbishing. Any help, direction or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Jentine]

Lee Sails: Sailmaker to the world

I have ordered sails from them on line and had excellent luck and very high quality.

[CAELESTIS]

Contact Sean directly.
Lidgard Sails - world class sail design, technology and production through our sail lofts internationally.

[Philthy_Phil]

If your rig is the original on a common production boat, online should be fine. If you have a non-standard/non-original rig, you are really better off going to a nearby loft. Get multiple quotes and see who will beat whose prices or up the quality.

You can often get a better price locally than online by paying cash -- most lofts(especially the smaller ones) will give you a hefty discount and/or free upgrades for paying cash.

You will also get a better deal in the winter when the lofts have less repair work and need the business. Recutting/refurbishing/restiching could cost you near the price of new; once you buy the used sail and pay to have it worked on, you could end up paying 50-70% of what a brand spanking new would have cost.