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New Mainsail Update:

B

bobclark

Bob Clark
Posted on the current bulletin bd., Dec. 17, I inquired if anyone
had ever dealt with Lee Sailmakers from China. I had been pricing
a new main. The prices varied from $2100 to $3100 from my local
well known sailmakers. I had prices from just about everyone. Lee
quoted me $1120. The pricing difference can only be described as
WOW. Very tempting, but I was cautious and concerned. Jim
McEntyre was the only person in our group who answered, and
answered favorably. I ordered the sail at the end of Dec., and it
arrived the end of Feb.. Dealing with the owner of Lee Sails
Northeast, Cal Brewster, was a pleasure. The workmanship can only
be described as beautiful old world. Heavy aluminum headboard
covered over with many layers of cloth and leather. Hand stitched
grommet holes, leather and cloth patches at all stress points,
bolt ropping along the luff and foot, etc. I have been sailing
for 40 years and have not seen a sail made this way during the
past 25 years. Thank you Jim, without your input I would not have
taken the chance. I would have paid at least twice as much and
recieved in comparison, a utiltarian sail. keeping an open mind,
and with due respect for all sailmakers, only time will tell how
good a cruising sail is.
Larry
 
That's GREAT news. This "extended" shopping is spooky. Yet another wonderful story. Thanks.
I've got a sail on order too, but from a guy, Wes, in Biloxi, named Mainland Sails. He built an excellent cruising main for my 382 for $1400. I added Battslides and full battens after the fact, which pushed up the price for the hardware.
The sail is so popular that 4 boats from my dock have orders in now.His email is Mainland@datasync.net 800-248-8119
 
I am looking at a new 130% from my local guy. He wants $2900 to $3400, depending on cloth and "extras." He is a Banks dealer and says he can have one done in Hong Kong for loI am hesitating on the new genoa, because of the price issue. A significant question may be the cloth. I had heard some less than sterling reports about the long term stretch resistance of Lee sails, but that may be old news. What kind of cloth, and weight did they use on your sails, Larry and Tony?
I sure would like a new $130 for less than $3K, but I also want it to be very good, since it will be my prime coastal cruising head sail. I really appreciate the info folks are providing on this issue, since it is an important one, but frankly, after 40 years of sailing, I generally know a good sail and a bad sail, but can't tell all the in betweens and certainly cannot judges specifics.
 
Last year I bought a new 130 heavy kevlar from UK here in Detroit for $2600.00. The new one replaced a 4 year old one that I paid 2300. for. Dacron ought to be less than the kevlar, sounds like your quote of 2900 + is high.
 
Terry,
Regarding cloth, I think that is a very old problem, cured awhile ago. At one time dac. only came from Bainbridge or another multi billion $ company that had the ability to weave by computer, or whatever they used. Now, so many sailmakers are selling their own cloth. It seems that because of technology everyone can weave good cloth. If you also notice, all sailmakers offer off-shore service as well.
I think the sailmaking industry has changed dramatically. It is hard to find a small local sailmaker any longer, they have all been merged into bigger companies, cutting and sewing at one location and shipping to satelites. What the difference if my sail was made 500 or 5000 miles away?
Anyway I won't know how good the sail is until 2 or 3 years pass. But, I understand your concern.
Larry

 
Another question is the quality of the material used for the thread. I have heard many negative reports on threads from the Orient.
 
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