Cruising yacht - sailmaker and fabric options 2025

[alex23299]

Seeing a huge range of prices as I search around, looking for a replacement genoa for a 50' yacht. Resen Sails in Denmark look very good value - any reports?

And - long time since I commissioned a new sail - any thoughts on long-lasting fabric vs economics for a cruising yacht doing perhaps 1,500 nm a year?

 

[johnalison]

I have no experience with modern sails, or 50' yachts for that matter, but much of the question of durability depends on how the sail is treated. My Dacron original sails only lasted two years, while two laminate sails have lasted twelve each with many more miles than you are proposing. Protection from the sun and avoidance of flogging sails are the keys.

 

[Tranona]

Sails are a bit of a commodity now in the sense that most sailmakers use the same programmes to design sails and machine cutting for the panels plus there is a range of fabrics available . For cruising there are really 3 levels (ignoring laminates) , basic dacron, enhanced dacrons and hybrids which use other materials in the make up to enhance stability and life. Price points inevitably reflect the levels.

Choosing can be a bit bewildering as if you get quotes from 5 different sailmakers you are likely to get 10 different options. All will do what they claim and it is highly unlikely that you will get a "bad" sail. So, often the choice comes down to level of personal service and many choose to use a local sailmaker who will measure up, make a recommendation which may include adding specific features to suit you, make the sail locally and fit it. Inevitably this is more expensive then sending details of your boat to a loft in China and getting the sail delivered 4 weeks later by a parcel van. In between there are "sailmakers" who provide much of the service side but the sails are actually made in the Far East either in their own lofts or in one that you can probably deal with direct.

Personally I go down the local route, partly because the one I use has always given good service and prices. I am also located where there is a choice of 3 top class alternatives within 20 miles of where the boat is. The last 2 sails I have had made were different. One was a furling main and Vectran was chosen because of its stability and long life - important for a modern performance boat. The second also a main but for an older, slab reef cruising boat where one of the better dacrons was chosen.

You will find plenty of information on sailmakers' websites about the different fabrics and cuts and how they relate to types of boats and usages. Worth getting your head around the options before getting quotes.

 

[neil_s]

I can't claim to be a regular sail buyer, but I tend to agree with Tranona above - go to the local firm and discuss your requirement. My last two sail purchases are both Dacron and are providing good service. one being 10 years old, now.

 

[Sea Change]

I've just taken delivery of a new main from one of the far east based companies. They had the best combination of price and lead time for me.
My only issue so far is that there was a bit of confusion about reusing the full battens and cars- for both ease of delivery and for cost, I had requested this. The new sail turned up without the batten carriers on the luff, so I had to remove the ones from the old sail and fit them myself. I hadn't expected to have to do this and it was mostly just down to luck that I hadn't disposed of the old sail already.
It definitely pays to ask questions and not work on any assumptions.