Sail cloth comparisons

[MartyB]

Any one know of a place to compare sail cloths? I need new sails for my Arcadia. I have main sail prices from North using their soft norlam, $2600. Online FX is about $1800, Air Force sails is $2000, and I have a quote from UK also $2600 or so.

Now assuming the design, labor to build etc is the same, how do I figure out if the sail cloth is equal, lesser quality etc. I can get a dacron panel main from cruising direct for 1100 or so, but I know that that sail is NOT in the same league as the North soft norlam option.

Any places that compare cloths brand to brand?

Marty

[MalcolmP]

Marty

old.cruisingworld.com/pisails.htm

and

www.ukhalsey.com/LearningCenter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia2.asp

May be of help

Malcolm

[zzmeyer]

Cruising Direct is a North Loft. I got a really nice 3/4 oz gennaker from them. They were very helpful in discussing cloth, as will most lofts, but as they also are a North Loft they won't be afraid of loosing you if you decide you want a better sail. The price of the cloth is only one issue as different materials require significantly different amount of labor. Steve