The Value in Sails

I conclude that it ultimately boils down to three things, price, performance, and longevity. Whenever I hear about a bad sail transaction it is always because one of these topics hadn’t been given enough consideration. Think of it in terms of “value”, where Value = Price + Performance + Longevity.

I have yet to meet anyone who thinks that the cost of new sails is too low.There are plenty of people who spend a great deal on sails, but they are usually people who are interested in superior performance.They recognize that performance of all sails degrades with usage.People in this category don’t enjoy overspending on sails anymore than anyone else.They still require value, but it is skewed more towards performance.Yes, price is a large factor, but too often it becomes the only factor. The most expensive sail you can buy is the one that you are not happy with. Usually the lowest priced option is lacking in performance and longevity.Also, consider the time of year you are making your purchase. During the spring rush you may find that the most successful brand is a little more expensive and there are long delivery times. Lesser sailmakers enjoy this time of year because it is often the only time they can sell at high prices. They have shorter lead times because they have fewer customers.They have fewer customers for good reasons. Beware a sailmaker that focuses their pitch on delivering a sail quickly rather than delivering a quick sail. Instead plan your purchases ahead of time.The price of sails can fluctuate with the time of year. The very lowest prices usually occur in August for September delivery.That is because very few people want to take delivery of a new sail just as they pack up their boat for the winter.Sail makers will have your full attention during that time.By the end of January the low prices start to dwindle off.By March there is always a rush of people a little too late for off season discounts…

Performance is the result of three things, the weight of the sail, the design shape, and the sail’s ability to retain the design shape under load. The factors that determine performance are beyond the scope of this article, but certainly fabric selection is a significant component of performance.An experienced sail maker should make you aware of your fabric options and explain how they impact price and longevity. When comparing quotes from different sailmakers performance is often hard to differentiate.Sails are three dimensional sculptures, difficult to describe, hard to quantify, but their shape has a huge impact on how they function. Shape is hard for a sales person to demonstrate, and for the consumer to compare. Therefore, fabric selection usually becomes the dominant focus.This is too bad because even the best fabrics can result in poor sails. Quality sail design is the result of the sailmaker’s culture and passion. Good sailmakers take enormous pride in their sail design and construction methods so look for those qualities.

All flexible membranes change shape with fatigue. The lighter and lower stretch the material the more quickly it will degrade. The type and quantity of yarn in sailcloth plays an important role.More yarn can make a sail more durable.Unfortunately, adding more yarn also means adding both expense, and weight which diminishes the overall “value”.A quality sailmaking company will have a rigorous system of fabric specification so that they can consistently strike the best balance.Beware the company that focuses too much on longevity.Longevity is impossible to measure, impossible to prove, and it is completely subjective. Anyone can claim that their sail lasts longer, but will they stand behind their claim if the sail ages prematurely, or turns out to be a brick.

Sails are an important part of your sailboat.They can provide years of enjoyment, or they can be disappointing for a very long time.It is worth investigating.The salesperson who is passionate about the product, takes the time to explain things clearly, and has an open minded demeanor is likely to be the most helpful.Good Luck and happy sailing.

Geoff Moore
North Sails Toronto