When I was shopping for a new main and roller reefing 135 genoa for Imzadi a couple of months ago, I was surprised and disappointed by the response from the lofts I contacted. Make that Lack of response.
I contacted a local sailmaker that I have used before, four lofts recommended by the list, plus Rolly Tasker (Dirk at National Sails in Brooksville, FLA) because they have been recommended so many times on the list. (I’ve been reluctant to use an offshore loft because of all the reasons expressed by other comments on the list.) My local sailmaker gave me a quote. I got two others out of the 4 recommended lofts. The Doyle loft actually got back to me 3 or 4 weeks after I had called and emailed, and by then I had already ordered. The North loft never responded to multiple calls and emails. And I was doing my shopping in late July and early August, when I would think the demand for new sails by racers would be falling off and before the rush of “boat show” orders. The quotes from “onshore” lofts ranged from just over $6000 to just under $6200, with some variations in material and construction. Based on the responses I had to questions and discussion of things like cross cut vs. radial vs. bi-radial for the genoa and various alternatives in sail cloths (Everyone, BTW quoted some sort of Challenge Dacron.) The whole High Modulus, High Fiber Mass, High Aspect, Low aspect, etc. etc., etc. can get rather confusing. I would say that the Ullman quote was the best. They offered me the 15% “boat show” discount if I would take the genoa now and wait until spring for delivery of the new main – which brought the quote down to about $6100. I ended up ordering from Rolly Tasker. The initial quote was so much lower that I was initially suspicious of it. I had a couple of conversations and email exchanges with Dirk about materials and construction before I placed the order. What I ended up with for the main is a cross cut “Offshore Cruising/Race” construction made from 8.8 oz. Challenge Marblehead cloth, loose foot, 5 full battens, draft stripes, sail number, C&C logo, 2 reefs with the second reef extra deep (as an alternative to a 3rd reef) for when I am actually offshore, and the sail is set up for my Tides Strong Track using the track slides and batten receptacles off my old main. The genoa is also a crosscut “Offshore Cruising/Race” construction using Challenge Marblehead in a 7 oz. High Aspect variety because most of my sailing is in lighter air, with a Sunbrella UV cover, draft stripes, tell tales, sail numbers, and trim strip on the clew to help with positioning of the genoa cars when the sail is reefed. The two sails cost under $5000, including shipping to me. They arrived last week (earlier than promised) and look really good. I’ve not flown them yet, but they seem to be everything I expected. So far I’m really pleased with the value and the service I got. Rick Brass Washington, NC From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Dave S via CnC-List Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 7:07 AM To: C&c Stus List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: Stus-List 33-2 mainsail replacement - update Thanks John. Brad L had also recommended them. Funny thing - I sent them the request and no response, and they are not the only ones. I sent a second request, we'll see what happens. It is interesting to compare the response from the various lofts. Dave
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