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Buying
a Sail
Eight questions
Getting a quotation
Building your sail
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1. What kind of boat
do you have?
We need the make and model. If you say a 40-foot Beneteau, we
can't tell whether that's an Oceanis 400, a 40CC or a 40.7 - all very different. So, you
need to be very explicit. If you have a custom design, we may need a sailplan drawing, but
we are familiar with almost every production boat.2. In what year was your boat
built?
Builders often make changes year by year. There is a big
difference, for example, between a C&C 34 from 1980 and their 34R from 1987.
3. What rig does this have?
Many builders offer standard and tall rigs. For example, the
Catalina 30 comes either way and there is a very large difference between the two masts.
There are some boats that offer rig options such as conventional boom or wishbone boom.
Unless you tell us, we won't know and our recommendations and quote won't make sense.
4. Has the rig been modified?
Owners occasionally lengthen their boom or add a short bowsprit
to increase sail area on under-canvassed boats. Even more common, a furling system may
have been added; we need to know if your boat has one and, if so, what kind?
5. Where do you sail?
Sails cut for long ocean swells should have a different shape
from those used in choppy waters. Some places are known for strong winds, others for
zephyrs. We'd like to get the right shape and strength of materials for you.
6. Do you race, cruise or do both?
The choice of materials and features you should have will vary to
suit your usage.
7. What's the reason for buying a new sail?
Are you replacing an old one, moving to different waters and
sailing conditions, heading off on a worldwide voyage, looking for more speed and/or
durability? All these sorts of reasons determine what we'll recommend and its cost.
And 8. What key factors will influence your purchase?
Can you rank factors such as price, performance, multi-purpose
use, and durability?
Then you are ready to get a quote. |
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