[Public-List] Advice on new sails?

[C.B. Currier]

Mark,
Congrats on the new boat !
Several additional things about sails - I have a varying experience with 
them, as I have both an Alberg 30 and a Melges 24 - which these days I 
race more than the Alberg.
Having done much in the way of sail testing when looking for good sails 
- I ended up finding that North these day makes cheap sails - not that 
you man pay less for them but that the quality of the crusising sails is 
not what it once was - they are made now a days in china - singapore - & 
other places - the main reason I say this is due to the fast breakdown 
of the dacron fabric that North Uses - when you look to purchase a 
cruising sail - you want it to last - and quite frankly - if you get a 5 
oz sail from north - it wont last like the old Murphy Nye sails for 
example. So to find a great sail - you will pay more but will get a sail 
that will last - years - not seasons. Go for the heavier 6.5 ounce sail 
cloth - it is not a cooperative in light air but still works and keeps 
its shape. My 2 favoite sailmakers these days are Ullman - who makes the 
Melges sails & not only has excellent customer service world wide but 
also makes sails that last - ex. my Main on my M24... another great 
sailmaker is Haarstick out of Rochester NY - he is the ultimate in 
quality - he flutter tests every bolt of cloth he uses - the also 
performs other quality tests to ensure his customers get great sails - I 
have to say - of all the folks I have worked with - his are the BEST. 
But they are not cheap - he puts much effort into getting good sails out 
to his customers and charges for that quality. So - good sails do cost - 
but they last.

C.B Currier
Infinity #57

Mark Stephenson wrote:
> Hello all,
> I recently acquired an Alberg 30 (from my father), and am looking forward to many years of sailing enjoyment with her in the Virgin Islands.  However, the sails are original (30 yrs. old) and I'd like to invest in new cloth.  The original sails were made by North, however they do not have a loft here.  Any comments on where to go for sails (we do have Quantum and Doyle here)?  Also, if any of you have done this recently, any advice on things to consider with regards to new sails for an A30?  Full batten main? 115% genoa? Foam luff for roller reefing? I intend to conform to the sizing requirements under class rules, just in case the boat ever finds her way to an A30 class event!
>
> Regards,
> Mark
> Rubber Ducky II #645
>
> Mark Stephenson
> General Manager
> Surfsong Villa Resort
> Well Bay, Beef Island
> British Virgin Islands
>
> tel	284-495-1864
> fax	284-495-0089
> cel	284-340-1864
> mark at surfsong.net
>
> www.surfsong.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>   


 1287587591.0