New Mainsail

[ctva]

Looking to possibly get a new mainsail for a SO342. Coastal cruising in Scotland.

In checking the various one on t’internet, it’s hard to get a judgment on quality and workmanship without actually getting first hand reports.

One of the companies is Direct Sails which I’d be interested in any first hand experience.

Otherwise, any recommendations would be welcome.

 

[dunedin]

Owen and/ or Saturn Sails should certainly be on your shortlist - depending on boat location (nearest to Oban or Clyde).

 

[Aja]

I got a new mainsail two seasons ago from Saunders Sails as was recommended by various people. Huge improvement on my elderly Hood.

Not cheap but beautifully made.

 

[Aja]

Owen and/ or Saturn Sails should certainly be on your shortlist - depending on boat location (nearest to Oban or Clyde).

I bought a new genoa from Saturn four years ago. Showed them cheaper quote and they matched the price. Fair enough but now realise they are expensive in relation to sail lofts down south. I would like to give them my business but would now find it difficult.

 

[Tranona]

Looking to possibly get a new mainsail for a SO342. Coastal cruising in Scotland.

In checking the various one on t’internet, it’s hard to get a judgment on quality and workmanship without actually getting first hand reports.

One of the companies is Direct Sails which I’d be interested in any first hand experience.

Otherwise, any recommendations would be welcome.

Just had an email from Richard of Direct Sails with the latest offer - 15% discount and some form of "upgrades" on mainsails. I have bought 3 lots of sails in the last 5 years and had quotes from them and Rolly Tasker and in each case was able to get similar or better prices from UK lofts. There is more of a difference with mains than foresails because of the higher labour content of the former. They use the same materials as UK lofts and the basic cuts are derived from the same software so if you are just wanting a standard sail based on the OE spec then don't think you will be disappointed.

However the big advantage of using a local loft, or even one in another part of the UK is the personal service to make the sail to your requirements and to fix it easily if it is not quite right.

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

I went with Ressen in Denmark by mail order. It's a production boat which took some of the stress out of self measurement. The resulting sail is good and works very well for me.
However I'm not a connoisseur so I couldn't say if it was particularly good or not.
Efficient, rapid and low hassle which really is nice when you're in Spain.
I'll second Tranonas comment, any problems and I'm not sure what would have happened (but there weren't any).

 

[pmagowan]

Crusader sails are good

 

[Minerva]

We are on our second set of Saturns on our boat. Very nice sails indeed. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Kemp

 

[Boathook]

I now use Saunders Sails in Lymington. Any problems (none yet) close to take sail back. I also got them to measure for both main and genoa just in case my 1970's boat wasn't totally standard !

 

[jwilson]

On a similar but slightly older Jeanneau I had a new mainsail made. I laid the old one out on the sail loft floor and showed the sailmaker where I wanted the reef points - reefs 1 and 2 about 20% further up the luff than the original factory sail, plus a third really deep reef. With the original sail I always found that as soon as you put in the first reef you needed the second. These are boats that are best sailed fairly flat, and I suspect the factory sails are aimed at predominantly light wind use.

 

[ctva]

Thanks for the info so far.

What are your thoughts on full battened mains?

 

[Channel Sailor]

Re fully battened, based on my experience with Dacron: plus includes: the sail will last very much longer, drops nicely into lazy jacks and importantly it can support a big roach. Minus: the sail can heavy especially with the battens in it, more expensive, reefing or take down when going downwind might be more difficult. The big one for me is a FB sail just has one shape/depth, so changing shape is more difficult e.g. power in a chop, flatter for speed, depower by blading out. Ok, I do acknowledge the batten tensions can be changed, but this I don’t think one would normally do at sea.

 

[dunedin]

Thanks for the info so far.

What are your thoughts on full battened mains?

Fully battened are brilliant - but need good batten cars which don’t come cheap.

 

[Minerva]

Fully battened are brilliant - but need good batten cars which don’t come cheap.

Agreed, but we re-used the batten cars on the new sail when we had it made. So should last a good while to get your moneys’ worth.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Re fully battened, based on my experience with Dacron: plus includes: the sail will last very much longer, drops nicely into lazy jacks and importantly it can support a big roach. Minus: the sail can heavy especially with the battens in it, more expensive, reefing or take down when going downwind might be more difficult. The big one for me is a FB sail just has one shape/depth, so changing shape is more difficult e.g. power in a chop, flatter for speed, depower by blading out. Ok, I do acknowledge the batten tensions can be changed, but this I don’t think one would normally do at sea.

Normally, you’d change the shape with halyard tension and mast bend, plus a bit with clew outhaul. Our shape is far from fixed, though batten tension pretty much is. It is of course heavy, doesn’t like to be taken down with wind in it, and has very expensive batten cars. Huge roach, square top, and still fully race functional with 8 seasons under it's belt.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Went down this road a few years ago. Fully battened main was a first for me and I am so glad I did.

I got a stunning deal at the Southampton Boat Show from Jeckells The Sail Maker. I would recommend to try that. I placed the order on that day, first day, early morning main and genoa. Sails are great.

Since then bought from Owens, Oban, a replacement staysail, plus a lot of canvas stuff. Good service, fair price, will use again.

Would still try boat show discounts in future.

 

[Tranona]

I have gone a different route with a normal 4 batten sail and a Tides Marine track on the mast. This combination is gaining traction here on the south coast maybe because Tides have an office in Poole and local sailmakers (Kemps, Crusader and Saunders for example) are supporting the product.

 

[bignick]

I know of 2 boats that have purchased Direct Sails. I’ve sailed on one, which has triradial ZZP main and jib. Both are pretty nicely cut and fair, with no unexpected wrinkles or creases. The other boat has Dacron main and jib and they look pretty nice too.
I’m impressed enough to be considering purchasing a jib from DS myself.

My only slightly negative comment would be that in my opinion there could do to be a bit more more stitching through the reinforcement area around the head of the main on the ZZP sail. There are obviously a few layers, but they seem to be working independently. Just my opinion though and I’m sure a sailmaker would correct me and say why it is better this way.

 

[alahol2]

Fully battened are brilliant - but need good batten cars which don’t come cheap.

Depends on the size of boat/sail. On my, 28ft, boat I specified 'Allslip' slides fitted at the batten pocket ends. They are similar to normal sail slides but are 45mm long. They work fine, I can raise the sail without recourse to a winch and they drop like a stone. I do try to keep the track lubricated.
They are very (, very) much less expensive than 'proper' batten cars.
I'll add my recommendation for Saunders sails of Lymington.