That's pretty cool. It's always good to have someone who is an expert go over anything like that. One thing about sailing is that you can almost always learn something new.

 

The sails on my 1991 Catalina 28 seemed to be original;

And I thought my sails were old. My 2001 has OEM headsail and the OEM main was replaced just 2 years ago.

 

You think 2001 is old? I might have the oldest sails still in use on the forum. Factory original 1976. No tears. No rips. No shape.

 

We got new sails for Christmas

They're black. Weigh half what the old ones did. They're bigger. May lower our PHRF rating by 12 points.

 

We got new sails for Christmas View attachment 141932
They're black. Weigh half what the old ones did. They're bigger. May lower our PHRF rating by 12 points.

Those are gonna be some sexy sails! My friend just got a black 3Di headsail on his Olson30, and it is gorgeous!

Post some pics when you finally get to fly them!

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August!! Wow. You must have been champing at the bitt.

Enjoy looking forward to that first sail

 

I had ordered new sails from Quantum at the end of August, and they just arrived yesterday. I'm not complaining about the lag time, as I knew they wouldn't be ready before the end of last season, so I told 'em no hurry. But man, I am jazzed! I cannot wait to get them on the boat and try them out!

The sails on my 1991 Catalina 28 seemed to be original; they weren't in bad shape as the PO had done regular maintenance on them, but they were clearly well past their prime. I decided to pull the trigger on replacements after taking a sailing "lesson". My wife's 30th anniversary present to me was a four hour sail with Joe Cooper. Those of you in New England may know Joe from his regular column in Windcheck magazine, or from his many other sailing gigs in the Newport area. Joe came to the U.S. as part of the crew of Australia II for the America's Cup (when the Aussies took the cup from the US for the first time) and never left. Anyway, Joe came to my boat and we had a good old time, with me getting tips and pointers on everything from sail trim to rigging choices to helmsmanship and docking.

Afterwards, Joe remained available to me via email, and we further discussed some rigging changes. I also mentioned then that I was thinking more seriously about new sails. It was then that I learned Joe was also a rep for Quantum. I asked him for a quote, which turned out to be very competitive. And bonus, Joe came out again and measured for the sails himself. Double bonus: he's offered to come yet again and try them out, all as part of the purchase package.

I may be looking out at my frozen wasteland of a back yard, but I'm dreaming of the spring...

That's proper sailmaker service!

Quantum makes some great sails! A friend of mine used to have a Quantum loft, but after he shut down there is no local representative in the area.

I just ordered a new headsail from North. Estimated delivery date is early April. I can't wait! The only new sail I've ever bought previously is an asymmetric spinnaker!

People don't realize how bad their old sails are getting until they see what new sails look like!

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3Di raw main and 150% Genoa. Should make a difference

 

Oh, that feeling of brand new sails!

I was also looking into a new headsail (furling) for my Cal28. Can I ask, all who got new sails recently, if they charge you shipping fees in general? How much?
One company (a sailor recommended it to me) gave me a quote recently, which I like. Then, speaking on the phone they tell me that they charge $165 for shipping. They manufacture the sails in China, so I guess it is not a cheap delivery. But there is no place in the original quote or the website where it is mentioned the extra fee. Bummer. Two years ago (pre-covid), I got a new main from another maker. Also manufactured somewhere in Asia (Indonesia?), with quote including delivery.

 

Can I ask, all who got new sails recently, if they charge you shipping fees in general?

We recently bought new sails from two different lofts and were not charged shipping fees. Both sails were made in Sri Lanka (in different lofts/facilities). However, I suspect the price of shipping was built into the sail price. I also suspect that the volume of sails is such that many sails are shipped in the same lot, which decreases pricing.

Mark

 

I bought sails from Joe Cooper when he was at Hood. Joe is a fabulous guy, a world class sailor... I can't say enough good about Joe. He came down to NY from RI for the purchase... and helped me get them on. I give Joe 5 stars!

 

I'm dealing with Quantum from their Newport, RI office. I get local service, but the sails are made offshore somewhere. They did charge for shipping, but only from Annapolis to my house in CT. A total of $44 for the genoa and main.

 

the sails are made offshore somewhere.

Sri Lanka, I think.

Mark

 

This is Rolly Tasker in Thailand.
I sailed into Puket, Thailand, rented a motor scooter and shoved the mainsail between me and my GF riding pillion on the back.

This room is huge. Note the floor is solid, and the sewing machines above the floor, not set into it like most places. They then have 10 people holding the sail up and moving it into the sewing machine. Cheap labor.
The design is all CAD.
I was thinking it would be some shoddy backyard factory. I was really impressed

This photo shows the sail designers stretching out my old mainsail and measuring the changes I wanted. (Mike Tasker at the right). See, theres no roach in the leach? Typical Moorings/Sunsail main. So I increased the leach to the max and moved the reefing points so the second reef would be very deep, like a third reef.

Being at the factory to watch it all was amazing, and the best of both worlds, Asian prices and personal service.
And I think they were pretty happy to see a 'real' person instead of an email.

 

This is Rolly Tasker in Thailand.
I sailed into Puket, Thailand, rented a motor scooter and shoved the mainsail between me and my GF riding pillion on the back.

This room is huge. Note the floor is solid, and the sewing machines above the floor, not set into it like most places. They then have 10 people holding the sail up and moving it into the sewing machine. Cheap labor.
The design is all CAD.
I was thinking it would be some shoddy backyard factory. I was really impressed

This photo shows the sail designers stretching out my old mainsail and measuring the changes I wanted. (Mike Tasker at the right). See, theres no roach in the leach? Typical Moorings/Sunsail main. So I increased the leach to the max and moved the reefing points so the second reef would be very deep, like a third reef.


View attachment 142012

Being at the factory to watch it all was amazing, and the best of both worlds, Asian prices and personal service.
And I think they were pretty happy to see a 'real' person instead of an email.

View attachment 142016

Great pics Mark! That's where my genny was made! This is an "online loft" guys.

 

That is really cool Mark. I had a new set of sails made for my last boat at a real local loft here in CT. You could look back behind the "front desk" to the floor to watch them work. I had shopped around and although the internet houses were cheaper, I really liked the idea of going local; I could have someone come out and measure properly, help me install the sails, and if there was a problem, I could handle it with a local phone call. The service was everything I had hoped for. I was especially impressed because my boat was an inexpensive, much older trailer sailer. I doubt the loft made a ton of money on me, but they treated me like a valued customer. The loft (Kappa Sails) went out of business a few years ago, so when I thought about buying new sails for my current boat, I knew I would have to find a new source.

Jumping to my discussions with Joe Cooper about new sails, I learned that there were no independent local lofts left in Connecticut. And the local branches of the big lofts didn't make their sails here anymore either. So my choices boiled down to the true internet providers (all communication on line), and the big providers that have local offices but make the sails elsewhere. I decided to go with Quantum, and so far, I've been very happy with the local flavor and personal service.

 

I learned that there were no independent local lofts left in Connecticut.

Ace and Farrar are gone?

Mark

 

Where were you guys five months ago? Not a big deal as I've been very happy with Quantum so far, but lesson learned....

 

Where were you guys five months ago? Not a big deal as I've been very happy with Quantum so far, but lesson learned....

I would hope you are happy...Quantum makes some of the best, fastest sails in the world!

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I've had my North XpL Tour headsail out a few times now and I love it! With my old sail the highest I could sail was 35°, with the new sail I can maintain 30° without losing more than .3 kts!

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