Costs of Sails for a 32'

[seumask]

Following on from the cost of our Hobby thread
The current main and Jib on our Fulmar are getting close to the end of their useful life as the cloth is showing small rips with sign of UV degredation on the main and Jib in the many of the panels. I'd be interested to know what the approximate costs people have been paying for a good cruising set of sails, and how long they last. The main is fully 4 battened and I'd like to replace with similar. The Jib is radial cut and rolls down well when reefing, again I'd like to replace with similar.

 

[BruceDanforth]

Your best bet is to get a few quotes from sailmakers. I bought a new main from Jeckells last season and am very pleased with the quality and price. I didn't aim to get the cheapest sail I could find and it was UK made.

Following on from the cost our Hobby thread
The current main and Jib on our Fulmar are getting close to the end of their useful life as the cloth is showing small rips with sign of UV degredation on the main and Jib in the many of the panels. I'd be interested to know what the approximate costs people have been paying for a good cruising set of sails, and how long they last. The main is fully 4 battened and I'd like to replace with similar. The Jib is radial cut and rolls down well when reefing, again I'd like to replace with similar.

 

[DJE]

I have managed to get good deals from sailmakers by buying in late summer when they're not busy.
My guess would be about £2k to £2.5k based on what I paid for a slightly smaller boat a few years ago.

 

[seumask]

Not looking for a cheapest sail, but looking for sails with reasonable performance ( used to race dinghy's) and longevity.

 

[Tranona]

Not looking for a cheapest sail, but looking for sails with reasonable performance ( used to race dinghy's) and longevity.

There is a huge choice of materials and cuts available. Suggest you go on the websites of the big players like Kemps, Crusader, North etc and get yourself up to speed on the pros and cons of the different alternatives. You are then in a better position to ask for quotes based on similar requirements. Do not be surprised if you get conflicting advice from different sources - that just reflects the fact that there are many alternatives.

Many will advocate buying from a local firm that will come and measure, discuss your requirements and fit the finished sails. On the other hand with a popular boat like yours the major lofts will have plenty of data based on sails they have already made for similar boats. You can expect a life of 10 years or more, so it is worth putting in the effort to get the best deal. Ordering in the autumn for making over winter often attracts good discounts, but buying in mid summer can also be good when work is slack. Worst is deciding in March that you need new sails for launch day!

 

[Kelpie]

Ask Crusader for a quote, you'll get an answer very quickly, prices are hard to beat.
For info, it cost me about £1500 for a 27ft boat, from Kemp (main) and Quay (jib)- they just managed to outdo Crusader in some way, I cannot remember exactly what now.

 

[RobBrown]

I just purchased a Dacron cross cut 135% genoa for my M29 from Crusader. Looks v good, tho ltd use as yet. Excellent price- <£900.
(8 1/2 oz Marblehead dacron with telltales, UV strip & padded luff)

 

[doug748]

Just paid £1200 a pop for similar. Battened main in Contender Fibrecon, cross cut Genoa in Hydranet.

Chris Scanes in Topsham.

I have told this tale before, but the main was ready in six days. As pointed out above, in pays to go late season for quick service.

 

[richardbrennan]

Recently got a quote for a fully battened main from North for my Ocean 33, which would be of similar size to a Fulmar, it was £2500 inc. I also replaced a tri-radial genny from them a few years ago which, if I remember correctly, was also about £2K. You do get a discount at the end of the season of about 10%.

 

[seumask]

Thanks all for your suggestions. So far quotes in from Crusader, Arun, Jeckles and Chris Scanes, price range from £2300 to £3800 for both sails, Main fully battend and 130% genoa, with foam luff and UV strip, all UK supplied Dacron around 7.5-8 oz cloth, typically Contender Fibercon.

Does any one have Rutgersen system battens on their fully battened Main. It appears that this is the recommended one from several of the quotes , but I'm not clear if that is with a car or a slide and do you need them. Currently we have a white car at the end of each batten which has 4 small plastic wheels, which seen to work well, but are pretty light weight, but I don't know what make they are.

 

[jamesjermain]

Rutgersen do seem to be pretty standard for this size and type of sail. I had them on a previous sail. The original cars had the small plastic wheels but they had all (4 wheels per car times six battens) developed flat spots and didn't turn thus causing a lot of friction. Replacement cars were plain but seemed no more or less friction prone. For your boat and sail they would be perfectly suitable

 

[photodog]

I am pleased with the new genoa we got this year from jeckells.... 9.5 meter Bavaria.... Foam luff, They attended and measured.... £1100 all in.

 

[doug748]

Does any one have Rutgersen system battens on their fully battened Main. It appears that this is the recommended one from several of the quotes , but I'm not clear if that is with a car or a slide and do you need them. Currently we have a white car at the end of each batten which has 4 small plastic wheels, which seen to work well, but are pretty light weight, but I don't know what make they are.

Yes, I have the Rutgerson roller cars as outlined by jamesjermain. As they were in good order, I had them put onto the new sail.

 

[LadyInBed]

1 Find a sailmaker who is not vat registered, 20% saving straight away
2 Get the full batten system put onto the new sail.