Mack vs. North sails

[Greenport99]

I have a Stevens 47 and am looking to purchase new sails for offshore passage making. I was originally going to have them made by North but was recently told that Mack was a better option as they are made in the U.S. out of superior fiber.

The cost is far better with Mack but I wanted to see if anyone has used them before? Thanks in advance for any input!


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[colemj]

We are currently having sails made by Mack. They are a family company that is responsive and customer-oriented.

Both Mack and North can make sails out of any type or brand of cloth you want, so there isn't any issue about "fiber" - just choose the cloth you want.

In the past, we have always found North to be about the most expensive option for comparable sails.

Mark

[Greenport99]

Thanks Mark


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[estarzinger]

^^ yea, you can get decent dacron cloth and sails from either but North is expensive, especially given they are paying their Sri Lanka sail makers $3.50/hour.

I might note that the Sri Lanka works are (generally) extremely diligent careful - there's no 'quality' problem there.

[Greggegner]

I had Mack make me a main several years ago. It couldn't have been made better. The battens sent for my 27' were substantial. Good cloth and good sewing, they delivered both.


Greg S/V Sweet Dreams
Pearson P385 out of Racine Wisconsin

[Cheechako]

The North sail I last bought was a good sail, nice shape. It was a bare bones simple sail though. For cruising I would want more handwork , triple stitching, leather in certain wear places etc. I'd go with a small company with good rep even at additional cost myself.

[Weyalan]

Personally, I think the person - the individual sailmaker that you meet face to face, is more important than the brand.

[roverhi]

Bought a suit of sails for my boat from Mack, full batten main with 3 reef points, 135% furling genoa with foam luff, asym spinnaker and a new boom that they sourced through US Spars. They were right on time with delivery, sails were excellent, great price on the Boom and really great to work with. Got the 3 sails and boom for less than a local sail maker quoted for just the main and jib.

[Vasco]

Got Mack sails a couple of years ago. Excellent service and that's what you need when getting new sails. No offshore back and forth via FedEx. Nothing like a good local loft.

[Kestrahl]

You pay a few more brand name royalties with N, they do win most major races around the world.. But then that is not cruising is it, so why pay more for a cruising sail. Some dacron's are better than others and its up to the sailmaker what they use. I saw a Mack main recently where two different dacron's had been use, maybe you couldn't tell when it was new but you can now! The other sails I've seen of theirs have been okay tho.
Why don't you talk to SVTotem on here, he is currently doing a circumnavigation on a Stevens 47 and he is a sail designer ex Halsey Sails

[Seacod]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

The North sail I last bought was a good sail, nice shape. It was a bare bones simple sail though. For cruising I would want more handwork , triple stitching, leather in certain wear places etc. I'd go with a small company with good rep even at additional cost myself.

Just to agree here add my own 2 cents on North Direct. Im on my second season with a main and lapper. Both had nice shape and are well finished. But as said for offshore or serious coastal Id want triple stitch and much heavier webbing used to attach slides on the main. Though i feel it was a good value mt next sails will be built locally so i can have a more specifically tuned sail and a bit more "tough" built in.

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[colemj]

Originally Posted by Kestrahl

Some dacron's are better than others and its up to the sailmaker what they use.

We are currently having sails made by Mack and I could choose any cloth I wanted. They make recommendations, but they will build sails from any cloth.

Mark

[Cparharris]

I have used mack for more than just sails and each time it was done right. With Mack you get the whole team and they are super responsive and make sure you are happy


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[CarlF]

i have switched to Mack because the major lofts are all focused on the racing business. As a test, ask a North sales guy if they can make you a sail that will last 10 years.

They won't like this question, because they want to sell a quasi racing sail that might go five years - more likely two. Then they can sell you another. Like these:

North Sails: Marathon 600 & 680 Upwind Sails

Mack's still building sails with cloth that will last for 10 years.

Sail Cloth

Also, look on the Mack web site for the miter cut genoa. I love mine. Great cruising sail. Ask North to build you one

[bmz]

In the Annapolis Maryland area, I have a ways found North to give the biggest bang for the buck on both racing and cruising sails. Almost any loft can give you the quality you're looking for. Don't be conned by sales rhetoric; determine for yourself the relevant parameters, spec out your sails, and go with the best bid. If your specs are complete, you can make your determination on reputation and price.