Happy with New Sails

[Mark F.]

We sailed our new Doyle-Ploch sails in stronger winds for the first time today in our Com-Pac 16/2 and were absolutely thrilled with the results.  Winds near Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL were around 12 knots with gusts up to 20.  It was a balmy 82 degrees! We kept the 110% jib up and didn't ever feel the need to reef the main.  Close hauled, we made 6 mph (statute) for a couple of minutes according to our GPS.  We reached 5.6 mph on a broad reach.  The boat heels a lot less with these new sails.  We're definitely glad we made the investment.

[Cevin c Taylor]

Would you mind me asking what you paid, or what one can expect to pay for a decent set of new sails ?  I just got my '83 CP 16 last summer.  I'll probably spend this next summer using the sails that came with it.  They have no rips, and appear to be OK, but certainly not new.  The previous owner said they're probably the original sails.  I have not even begun to price them. Not sure if my first upgrade should be sail, or the Ida rudder. 

[peterg]

Go with the new sails first. If the current sails are the originals, it is unlikely that you will attain decent sail shape with them, and no amount of new Ida rudder will compensate for blown out sails.

[wes]

Agree about new sails being the priority. Another great source is Dirk at National Sails (newsails@aol.com). I paid $895 for new main and 155 genoa for my 19 last summer, and I was delighted with the service and the quality. I'm sure the cost would be less for a 16. The sails are made offshore (Thailand) but Dirk runs the US business from Florida. Delivery was fast - about 3 weeks.

Wes

[Mark F.]

The mainsail is 5.5 oz. dacron with 4 batens, 2 reefs, adjustable leechline slides, sail bag, headboard and telltales and cost $625.

The 110% jib is 5.5 oz. dacron with hanks, adjustable leechline, telltales, and a sail bag and cost $325.

I had a custom storm jib made of 7 oz. dacron with hanks, adjustable leechline, telltales and sailbag and cost $325.

I bought a 155% genoa from Super Sailmakers made of 3.9 oz. dacron with hanks and a sail bag.  It cost $368 and the delivery was quite fast. 

All these upgrades have added up, but we love the boat and plan on keeping it.  The Com-Pac 16 suits our purposes well and each upgrade has improved the boat as much as we had hoped.