Need to replace mainsail on O'Day 25

[saxoldies]

Hello everyone, I want to replace the mainsail on a 1979 O'Day 25 center board model, and I have found a couple of places online that seems interesting. The boat ia a club boat used on Lake Champlain and is not used for racing, so I don't need a high performance sail. My question is can those online stores be trusted or should I go directly to a sail maker's shop?

[Orion Jim]

My preference is to support the local small businesses. Shop for price on the Internet and ask for a reasonable quote from the local guy based on your newly acquired knowledge of the going rate. There is real value in a local guy measuring beforehand and ensuring a proper fit once the product is completed.

[Jim Cate]

Just remember: sails don't always come out right, no matter who the sailmaker might be. If it is from a local shop, there's someone to shout at. If it comes from the far East somewhere, well, shouting isn't very effective!

You may luck out and get exactly what you wanted, ordered and paid for... and you may not!

There is also the benefit of establishing a working relationship with a local guy. You can learn lots from chatting with him, and if you continue on in sailing this will not be the last sail you buy.

It's pretty obvious which choice I'd make!

Jim