Halifax Doyle and North, yes, other local lofts - maybe not so much.
10 years ago I had an Aloha 27. Great boat. Out sailing one day at the
end of the season the main ripped from just under the clew grommet for
the first reefing point, all the way to the mast. Took it in to a local
loft, said "if it is worth putting a patch on do it, but if the sail is
toast don't bother, I will replace it". I got charged $150 for a repair
and then on my way out the door was informed that I really needed a new
main. Thanks!
So that year I got quotes from the local North loft (who are not the
loft described above), from Mack Sails in Florida (recommended by a
friend), and Lee Sails in Hong Kong. Lee kicked ass on both dealing
with me, price, and performance. I had to measure for the sail, no big
deal.
Last sail I bought was a 135, two years ago. I had quotes from Lee
again, local North, and two others. North was a good price, I could
have saved $100 going with Lee but that is close enough that I will
happily pay the "local" premium. Very happy with the sail.
My conclusion - I'm not blindly going with local for romantic reasons.
If they are in the ballpark I'm happy to go with them - I do this on
boat parts because I want the local guys to survive, plus I get it right
away - so saving $10 by buying it from Defender isn't worth it.
Graham Collins
Secret Plans
C&C 35-III #11
On 2016-02-25 11:26 AM, robert via CnC-List wrote:
I echo Mike's experience with the local sail lofts here.....I have
also had nothing but excellent service and relations with both Doyle
and North over the years.
It's the people that make the difference and the people at both lofts
here are very connected to the local sailing community......they know
many of us on a first name basis.
Rob Abbott
AZURA
C&C 32 - 84
Halifax, N.S.
On 2016-02-25 11:13 AM, Hoyt, Mike via CnC-List wrote:
Steve
I am glad to hear that you had a positive experience with your
overseas loft. I am also very dismayed to hear of your experiences
with your local sailmakers
I would like to say that in the last 17 years of boat ownership we
have had nothing short of excellent service and relations with the
local lofts in Halifax. We have dealt with both Doyle in Dartmouth
and North Sails Atlantic in Halifax. The friendliness, turnaround
and workmanship of both have been first rate.
Unfortunately I will have to win a lottery before I can by any more
sails.
Fortunately I do not currently need any more
Mike
Persistence
Halifax, NS
*From:*CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] *On Behalf Of
*Stevan Plavsa via CnC-List
*Sent:* Thursday, February 25, 2016 10:57 AM
*To:* cnc-list@cnc-list.com
*Cc:* Stevan Plavsa
*Subject:* Re: Stus-List Got a New 135% Head Sail
I purchased a Rolly Tasker 155 a couple of years ago for Suhana. It's
a good sail but like the OP, I have nothing to compare it against
except the original genoa which was deteriorating. So, leagues better
than what I had. It was $1600 shipped to my door from Thailand and
arrived two weeks after I placed the order. The local lofts all
wanted about double for same/similar features and a lot more time.
Here's the rub and here's where I disagree with people on this list
and others that tout the "support" and "cusomter service" of the
local guys. I was treated better by the foreign sail loft. They
answered my emails in a timely way, they were polite and
/interested/. The locals, almost all of them, had a standoffish,
almost arrogant attitude and they were slow to provide pricing and
email replies. to me, that's terrible customer service. First and
foremost, I want to be treated like a valued customer and that starts
with the first hello, it doesn't start after I open my checkbook and
they come out to my boat.
No thanks.
Steve
Suhana, C&C 32
Toronto
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