Sails and Rigging Made in China

[reiner]

A good friend of mine got a quote for his mainsail here in Australia and another quote in China. The sail from China is pretty much half price to what we pay here. His rigging needs doing too.
What are the thoughts on buying in China?
I know they have been building boats long enough so in general it can't be to bad or is it?
Thanks
Reiner

[akio.kanemoto]

Originally Posted by reiner

A good friend of mine got a quote for his mainsail here in Australia and another quote in China. The sail from China is pretty much half price to what we pay here. His rigging needs doing too.
What are the thoughts on buying in China?
I know they have been building boats long enough so in general it can't be to bad or is it?
Thanks
Reiner

Can't comment about China, but I got a quote here in Sydney for a new main and just like most things over here, it was hideously expensive. Anything you can buy from overseas, DO IT, it's bound to be cheaper (and probably better too)!

(I got my new main from Mauri Pro Sailing - Sailboat Hardware, Sailing Gear and Sailboat Equipment - Made in the US for about half the price of an Aussie made one, and only $80 shipping - flat rate)

[SabreKai]

I've only ever ordered a sail from offshore once. Lee Sails. The sail was very well made, delivered on time and performed as expected.

Rigging on the other hand, I'd be leery of, as the quality of Chinese stainless steel is suspect at the best of times. Unless they are willing to prove the quality of the materials with documentation, I'd never be totally at ease with it.

Sabre

[jim767]

I would echo the concerns over quality control for Chinese made items.
Until last year I visited mainland China numerous times a year and bought many electronic gadgets and the such. Many times the exterior of the unit would look identical to the genuine article but on closer examination I found the internal components to be little more than junk.

Many Chinese items are high quality but it is definitely a buyer beware market.

[S/V Alchemy]

There is a history of decent sails made in China to order, but there is also a history of crappy metallurgy, as anyone looking for a durable hand tool could testify. Caveat emptor.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

There is a history of decent sails made in China to order, but there is also a history of crappy metallurgy, as anyone looking for a durable hand tool could testify. Caveat emptor.

One would think they would have perfected sail-making by now.
They have been doing it for 8 thousand years.

[Mark Johnson]

15 years ago I got our Neil Pride "blue water" sails that were sewn in Hong Kong, but finishing touches were done in the US. Only the parts done in the US were less than perfect! These are the toughest sails I have ever seen, and they are still in REALLY good shape. Now that they are technically China, I don't really know... but I'd trust them again for sails.

For rigging, hardware, SS shackles, chain, etc... NOT ON YOUR LIFE. I have seen too much of this sort of thing, that I didn't like, "made in China". The problem here, is quality control... Mark

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by Mark Johnson

15 years ago I got our Neil Pride "blue water" sails that were sewn in Hong Kong, but finishing touches were done in the US. Only the parts done in the US were less than perfect! These are the toughest sails I have ever seen, and they are still in REALLY good shape. Now that they are technically China, I don't really know... but I'd trust them again for sails.

For rigging, hardware, SS shackles, chain, etc... NOT ON YOUR LIFE. I have seen too much of this sort of thing, that I didn't like, "made in China". The problem here, is quality control... Mark

I second this.

[markpierce]

My boat's sails are from Lee Sails in Hong Kong.

Lee Sails: Sailmaker to the world

[Dragon Lady]

I would say go for it with the sails but be very careful with the rigging.
If a sail rips it's a pain, but not the end of the world, if your rigging fails it could be the end of you.

[sailingaway221]

One of my friends replaced his main and headsail... 4000 usd vs the quoted from the local sailmaker for 8000. That was over a year ago... he still says they are like new... no problems.

[tager]

I have heard one china mainsail horrorstory. I don't remember the URL or the specifics but the sail was basically unusable. The company offered nothing to make it right.

[smurphny]

If you buy sails made by American workers it allows those folks to live in the USA. More expensive....YES. If you buy from China, it takes the work away from those who would like to live in here the USA and gives it to people in China who work for pennies. You can act just like a large corporation. Keep buying from cheap countries until ALL our artisans and craftsmen are gone.

[sww914]

I read an article in a sailing rag a few months ago about sailmaking. Most of the sails from the big companies are made in China. You pay a US company thinking you're getting a made in the US product and it turns out that it's made somewhere else anyway. You don't know unless you know.

[97fxdwg]

Originally Posted by smurphny

If you buy sails made by American workers it allows those folks to live in the USA. More expensive....YES. If you buy from China, it takes the work away from those who would like to live in here the USA and gives it to people in China who work for pennies. You can act just like a large corporation. Keep buying from cheap countries until ALL our artisans and craftsmen are gone.

You're right of course, but what is a cruiser on a very limited income, or even no income, supposed to do? Buy American and eat mac and cheese for 2 years, or buy Chinese, and sail? Tough decision in reality, easy to deal with in theory. Reality bites, but there it is.