Would like to hear from anyone with experience ordering a new sail from Direct Sails. I’ve received quotes from North, Quantum, Doyle and Direct. I am including a Stackpack, so that eliminates Quantum because they admit they aren’t competitive with Stackpacks. I like Doyle’s proposal but Direct Sails has a more detailed proposal and very competitive price on many cloth choices.
Don’t give up on quantum. I had them build me a sail last year that fits beautify and has detail work (gussets, batten pockets, hardware) that are first rate.They worked with Mack sails in Florida to modify the sail with an integral cover similar to the Doyle Stack Pack. They called it a “Mack Pack”. Works like a charm!
Barry Connell
Newburyport, MA
N36 Nocturne
Mike: We like to know more about the people that post on this site. Note my signature as an example- not a rule.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
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Mike,
I do not have any experience with Direct Sails and to my knowledge none of the boats at our club is using sails from them. It’s a big world hopefully someone on this Google Group has used them.
I can share that, like you, I plan to order a new sail this winter. I’m leaning in the direction of Quantum. My reasoning is based experience and service, plus the advice of a circle of friends that are much closer to the industry than I am.
I’ve been keenly watching the Google group for information about sails, particularly the photos posted by other skippers. My conclusion is that our NonSuch sails are different enough from other cruising sailboats that it is important the sailmaker is working from a pattern that is based on real experience and not just measurements. The sail attributes that make our boats go are kinda a hybrid between modern mainsail design and genoa design… because much of our sail area is below our boom/wishbone. There is a recent thread on reefing with pictures of reefed sails that look very different and some of the differences seem to be sail design.
I used the contact info for Quantum listed on the INA website. I exchanged a few emails with Doug Burtner and was impressed by his NonSuch specific knowledge and his candor when offering advice. His advice got a thumbs up from my ( mostly North favoring ) friends.
As you probably already know North, Quantum, Doyle are owned by North Technology Group. So far word is they are still functioning mostly independently but benefiting from scale.
My prior sail purchasing experience ( 25+ years ) has been 100% North for our Flying Scot in an active racing fleet with a 2 year sail replacement cycle. North treated me great and their sails were always competitive ( all the boats beating us were also using North sails ). So it is a surprise ( for me ) that I am leaning toward Quantum for Soave sail replacement.
As you progress through your selection process please share your discoveries.
Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT