Sail Purchasing

Buying sails usually starts with the customer contacting several lofts for proposals and quotations. The quotes arrive, hopefully in the post complete with fabric samples, however this is usually where the trouble starts...

The quotes aquired form a spread of prices that span 50% of the average value! Surely a sail is a sail and I should just buy the cheapest...right?

Of the proposals that have included fabric samples - most are of different styles. Some woven and some laminates. All will perform differently but which performance characteristics are most desirable for your sailing?

Proposals often refer to sails as areas in m², some sq ft. or even expressed as a percentage of a rig dimension. Does I, J, P & E mean anything to you?

Are the proposed sails of a comparable area and which area is right for the sailing that YOU are planning? Just because the yacht was designed with a large overlapping genoa, doesn't mean that sail is right for you now.

Are the sails made in the UK or subcontracted to an Asian loft? Does this matter to you? What does it mean for after sales service?   

Scott offers a Sail Purchasing Assistance Service where the following is included:

Understand what your requirements are for the sailing you plan to do.

Contact a number of sail lofts on your behalf to discuss sails and design details to be included in the proposal, explaining to them exactly what is required. It is important to ensure quotations and proposals from different lofts are as close to "like for like" as is possible.

Receive quotations, examine in detail, compare & contrast and write an appraisal critiquing each proposal and indicating which presents best value for money and will perform as required. Performance can be measured in many different ways, perhaps boat speed, weight, longevity or shape holding.

This gives you, the customer, a good understanding as to what the lofts have offered and how the proposals compare and so enabling you to make an informed decision. Contact me to discuss your sailing plans and the sail wardrobe to ensure you make the most of your time afloat.

Scott has been a sailmaker at Hyde Sails for 5 years and a salesman & sail consultant at Quantum Parker & Kay for 2 ^1/2 years. He left the sail making industry in 2009 to set up Offshore Art.

Our past clients in sail purchaseing have been cruisers as well as IRC racers.

All quotations are made in the name of the client and Scott does not act as an agent and so add a mark up. There is however a one off consultancy fee. Please contact me for a detailed quotation.

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