new main

[seburnett]

Considering purchasing a new main for my CP 27 and as a new sailor, I would be happy to hear any recommendations with specific manufacturers or sail options.
Thanks in advance.
Scott

[jimyoung]

Scott,
Sail choice is like choosing which engine you want for your car. Are you racing and concerned ONLY with speed, or long distance cruising and concerned with strength and longevity, or somewhere in between? The one thing that I would recommend after having Miss B (27CP) for close to 25 years now is to take a serious look at going full batten on the main.  The ease of lowering and trimming are IMHO the best bang for the buck that you can spend.
As far as manufacturers, i am lucky enough to live in south Florida and can visit the lofts of several of the major players as well as 4 or 5 smaller speciality sail makers by jumping in the car and see who needs the business at the time I am shopping so will leave those recommendations to others on the board.
Good luck and I will say, there are few joys that compair with shaking the wrinkles out of a crisp new main sail.

Capt'n Jim

[seburnett]

Good point.  I guess I assumed that anyone who would own a Compac 27 wasn't interested in racing.  Nonetheless, I certainly can see where some would be more interested in performance than others.  I bought it primarily for daysailing, some overnights, and lightweight coastal cruising with my wife and son.  My priorities are not racing performance, but a moderately priced sail that represents good quality for the money.  I'm interested in double reef points, but do not have that much experience with differences in battens.  I am not particularly familiar with sailmakers so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[bmiller]

Buying a new sail can be a lot of fun or frustration. Are you located where there are different lofts nearby, like Jim, or landlocked, like me? If you can go talk to the sailmakers. Otherwise you'll be researching via the net.

My current sails were made by Neil Pryde. Well built and long lasting. Imported. Moderately priced.

If made in the USA matters try Mack sails in FL. I got a quote from them when we almost bought a large cruising boat that needed new sails. At that time they had the best price.

I also bought sails from Mauri a few years ago for a different boat. Good service and decent sail. Very good price.

One more consideration is Sail Care in PA. They cleaned my current sails and now offer new sails. In fact I just sent them a request for quote on a new main. I'll post that when it comes back.

Edit: Here is a link to Mauri, they have lots of good info on sails in general. http://www.maurisails.com/index.html

[Bob23]

   A friend bought a new main for his vintage 1970 Morgan 30. Very nice sail, good price and a very fast boat. We beat 99% of the boats we encounter on the Barnegat Bay. With his old main, we only beat 98%!
   I had my 23 sailed reconditioned by Sailcare and they did a great job. It's a good way to get a few more years out of some old, softened sails. Mine are ready for replacement or another trip to Sailcare.
Bob23

[Craig Weis]

www.DorsalSailsandCanvas.com | Dorsal LLC, 61 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 | Phone: 920-743-4126 | Fax: 920-743-4139 | E-mail: Charlie@dorsalsailsandcanvas.com

Building on a long history of serving the Great Lakes boating community, DORSAL, LLC (aka Door Sail) is your full service sail loft & canvas shop, capable of computer assisted Sail design & cutting, as well as being fully invested in digital 3D modeling to design and cut custom Biminis, Dodgers, Full Enclosures, Sail & Boat Covers of all sort and even Upholstery work for the cockpit and down below.

Check out our new Totes & Tees!
 
A panoramic view of our 5,000 square foot  loft space in the heart of Great Lakes boating history showing the computer controlled cutting machine and the assembly floor. Note the sewing machines sunk to floor level to facilitate handling large sails and canvas projects.

WHO  |  WHAT  |  WHERE  |  WHEN  |  WHY | LINKS | HOME
DORSAL, LLC
61 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: 920-743-4126   Fax: 920-743-4139
E-mail: Charlie@dorsalsailsandcanvas.com
www.DorsalSailsandCanvas.com

[seburnett]

Thank you for the recommendations.  I should have access to some sailmakers down here in FL so I will talk them first when the time comes.
Scott

[Billy]

Where in FL? Paul Silvernail at Masthead in St. Pete will treat you right.

[bmiller]

Got a quote from Sail Care. Two reef points, full battens, 6.68 oz. Performance Cruise Dacron, made in PA with USA cloth. $1580 plus shipping.

[seburnett]

I'm in St Pete as a matter of fact so your recommendation of a local company is much appreciated. 
I also appreciate the detail about the Sail Care quote.  Nice to have a ballpark in mind.
Scott

[bmiller]

Found this.
http://www.fxsails.com/quoter/selectsail.php?boatID=2813

[seburnett]

Thanks!