There are many to chose from, racing, cruising, traditional, the do-it-all lofts, canvas only and rigging only. At this point I should say I don't shop at Walmart. The do-it-all lofts, buyer be wary. Is the person you are talking to a sailmaker? Are they a canvas worker, sailmaker wannabe? Are they a rigger? None of this is bad, but you should know who you are talking to. Do they sail? Race? What experience do they have? Are they a salesperson who doesn't hit the loft floor?
The kind of sails you are buying should determine who you buy from. However, you may get just as good of a deal from your local sailmaker for a sunfish sail as online. Classic boat? Put a lot of time into it? Traditional sails with traditional patches, cloth, and finishing. Cruising sail? Well built, turned edges, handsewn rings on the clews(they really do last longer). Racing? Performance cloth, cutting edge design, modern patching, titanium hardware.
Racing isn't my thing, Doug Pope up the road from my loft builds a wonderful sail at an amazing price. I referred a friend to him and they were thrilled. Another friend put a lot of miles on a Pope sail and couldn't say enough good things about him. He is a small local loft who has raced well and the whole community was paying attention when he was in the Bermuda race with his son.
Wooden Boat magazine had a great article a few years ago about traditional sails and boats. It really is a shame to see the incredible yachts with such modern and incompatible sails. Some would say that they are faster. Maybe. I have a customer with a racing yacht with a famous sailor trying to buy it every year they race. My customer will win every race. Old boat, traditional rigging and sails. Go figure.
My family has just acquired yet another boat. We have alot of work to do before she is cruise ready. Sadly she needs a dodger. I just don't do dodgers! I have, and I shouldn't have. In this case I will probably have to part with some money and buy one from John at Gemini Canvas. He is also up the street. I have worked all over the US and he builds really pretty dodgers. Some of the nicest I have seen.
I am lucky to have worked in a lot of lofts. This gives me a perspective of what is being done "on the cheap" what works and who makes what sails where. The other interesting thing is that there are sailmakers you will never hear of. Either they are tucked away in a storage space or they are the loft sailmaker and the owner just never lets it be known how valuable that sailmaker is.
Sorry about this ramble, but consider calling your local sailmaker. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Related Tags: sailmaker, sailmaking
