[C320-list] Thoughts on Sails

[Jeffrey Brown]

I purchased a main from fxsails 6 years ago and it’s still in great shape. We even use it racing and win a lot of races. My Genoa however was made locally 

Jeff Brown
949-350-5123

> On Nov 26, 2018, at 3:54 PM, John Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Jeff:
> 
> The first question you have to answer is whether you think going with a local loft is worth the extra price for cruising.
> 
> Admittedly, it’s complicated. More than a few local lofts now buy their sails from Asia, add in a big markup, do a couple of custom alterations and pass it on to you. I personally wouldn’t do business with them. The markups aren’t worth it.
> 
> If the loft does make it locally and provides great service as well as great sails, maybe it’s worth the extra bucks to you.
> 
> But you should know that there are online sellers – Fxsails is one – that provide good sails at about half the price you have been quoted. You wouldn’t want them if you were a hard-core racer. But, for most of us, the extra quality of a custom sail isn’t that noticeable.
> 
> Some other thoughts:
> 
> • A 135 is about right. It should roll down to about a 90 while keeping its shape. A 155 won’t roll down farther than a 120 without losing its shape.  And, really, most of us turn on the diesel when the wind is light enough to need a 155.
> • This is the first sailboat I’ve owned without a cruising spinnaker/drifter. I can’t say I miss it. They were great in light air but, much of the time, I couldn’t be bothered as a single/double hander to do all of that work. Most of the time, when you buy a boat, the spinnaker looks brand new.
> • I just oiled and greased my winches. What a difference! It made raising the main much easier, but still harder than I want it to be. Allen is right that something is not proper with the route back to the cockpit for the halyard.
> 
> 
> Good luck in your decisions.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 528
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
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> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> 
> From: Jeff Smith
> Sent: Monday, November 26, 2018 5:36 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Thoughts on Sails
> 
> To all,
> 
> I am contemplating purchasing a new main sail and a new Genoa. I would like to benefit from the collective wisdom of the group, if you would be kind enough to share.
> 
> Currently, Sailmates has a 155% Genoa that will be 18 years old next year. The Main will also be 18 years old next year. It seems like this is about the extent of the useable life of a sail, but I could be mistaken. Mainly we daysail or cruise for the weekend, though I hope to expand my reach to the Bahamas and up the coast to New England. [Side note – I have all of Spring 2019 available for a passage to the Bahamas if anyone is interested in a trip. Seriously, let me know because I would love to travel down, but I do not have blue water experience.]
> 
> My questions include: 1. Has anyone installed a Strong/Tides Track system? If so, did you find it worth the expense? If you installed it but did not find it worth the expense, what are the negative issues? 2. Quantum Sails has recommended that I could get much of the benefit of the Strong/Tides Track by going to a 2+2 (upper full battens only) system with AllSlip slides for the Main. Does anyone have any experience with either AllSlip slides or a 2 batten main sail system? They also suggested that I could use Bainbridge Railman receptacles with a stainless steel universal joint, which is part of the Strong/Tides track system. Any thoughts here? 3. They recommended that I do not go bigger than a 140% Genoa for boat balance. Any thoughts on this? I will say that when we first bought the boat we would regularly roll out the full 155%, but now I tend to keep the Genoa above the lifelines.
> 
> I know there are a lot of questions above, so I appreciate any and all opinions. By the way, the price quote for a CrossCut CW 2000 Main with 2 reefs and 4 battens is $3,056 after a 15% discount. The 140% Genoa with Foam Luff, Spreader Patches, and UV Cover is $2,400 after the discount. So that is $5,500 for the two sails, which seems pricey, but less than the quote from an Ullman sail loft (and only about $800 more than the previous boat owner paid in 2001). I also priced an asymmetrical spinnaker ($2,500 with dousing sleeve), but I am not sure how much we would use this.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jeff
> S/V Sailmates, 94 #121
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