Who should we choose? - Advice needed

Neraida

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www.neraida.org.uk
On the subject of sails (Crusader thread), we have received goodish quotes from Quantum, Sobstad, Doyle and Kemp sails and are now at the point where we need to decide who to choose to make us a new main, jib and asymetric kite (with lazy bag, snuffer and roller cover instead of UV strip)
Also, for roller gear we have been put off slightly at the price of the Harken stuff (about £1800 including fitting) and are now looking at Hood, Furlex etc.

Any advice/experience greatly appreciated.

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My Doyle Code 0 was the best presented sail I have ever had, and sets very well.

Cant comment toomuch on the others - our UK Tapedrives are lasting so well they dont need replacing. I was at Uni with one of the Quantum pricipals - he always made good sails then!

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I think we tried them, came out even more than Quantum. We did also recieve a quote from North which made us laugh.

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Have used Banks for the last few years. The sails are excellent but they're not the cheapest. I think it's really down to a balance between quality and price.

Also, I think that the RYA use them for their first class 8's...

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The asymetric spinnaker I got from from Quantum last year is probably the best sail I have ever used. Talk to them about their research details. Their new style of snuffer was also marvellous.The main, genoa etc I got at the same time are also spot on.

<hr width=100% size=1>Real men do it 2handed.
 
We have Bank's sails at the moment and for new sails would be around the same price as the sailmakers we are considering but have decided against them as we really aren't that impressed with cut and stitching quality.


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On the subject of sails, how do you know when it's time to change? We've had a set of McWilliams for about 20 years, and they look fine.

How much, very roughly, would a main & jib set you back for a 28ft yacht?

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Averaging between the shortlist we've made, about 900 inc vat for main, 800 for genoa, 700 for spinnaker though hopefully prices can be renegotiated when ordering, which they usually are.

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You seem to have a racy thing there, so have you looked at the Facnor racing series for furling? You can still have sails with twin luff groove, and the drum is low, and removeable for racing.
I have ordered Facnor and bi radial genny from Crusader, and also a tri radial cruising chute in 6 colours for my 22ft thing for about 1300 quid.
I liked Crusader because they guarantee to send everything including new forestay, and the brackets and cleats etc for installation. Just add wind they say....
As I was spending nearly half what the damn boat cost me, I looked into this most carefully.
Second choice would have been Sailspar of Brightlingsea for furling and Kemp for sails. But then I am a tight git.


Jim

<hr width=100% size=1>Second Chance - First Love. 2nd Hand Wind Instruments for sale anyone?
 
I had brilliant service from Kemps last year and hope to use them in the future.

A really nice family firm who made me feel valued as a customer giving straight advice and always remembered me even after a couple of months while I was making up my mind on what I wanted.

Sobstad were very friendly and easy to talk to when I was shopping around.
Banks and Dolphin never returned my calls, Jeckells were so full of hidden charges, everything was an extra it seemed, they just scared me off, I was not sure what the quote would be until they took it off my card.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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