need help picking a new sail

this past weekend we had GREAT wind on the lake. I spent more time up on one hull on Sunday than I did all last year. Unfortunately, the jib on my 82 H18 was a casualty and now I need to get a new one. I'm fairly certain it was the original jib, so it lived a good life.

Can anyone reccomend a good replacement option? I've seen the Hobie replacement jibs for $400, and I've seen the Super Sailmakers jibs for a little less, and some company called Whorlpool that sells new sails on ebay. Are these aftermarket options decent quality, or should I pony up for an original Hobie sail? Is there another make or option I should consider?

thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Rich

If you ever wish to race it must be a Hobie jib. If not whirlwind makes nice sails as do many others.

Bought a new Whirlwind this year. I like it and the price was good.

I just bought a set of sails from Chip @ WHIRLWIND sails. I was very picky with the design i wanted and made probably made 20 phone calls to him while he was building them and he was always so cool about everything. VERY easy to deal with. EXCELLENT customer service.

My main is a Mylar square head and for the jib, 5.0 oz. Dacron. Stock Hobie is always a good choice especially if your class racing, but Chip can build classic design sails, or some TRICK Pentex Square heads with a pentex jib if your looking for ultimate in hull speed or Maximum performance. Its probably at least worth a phone call. He'll always answer your questions, believe me.

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Wes
92 Miracle 20 + magnum wings

based on the last responses, I checked out the Whirlwind sails website.
The prices look good, and based on the "About us" page, it would probably be hard to argue aftermarket quality vs. Hobie quality with the guy who used to run the Hobie sail loft. I'll probably just go with a standard white jib sail.

Any opinion on going with the 4 oz sail vs the 5 oz sail? what's the stock Hobie sail? 4 oz?

ask CHIP

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Wes
92 Miracle 20 + magnum wings

It's okay to experiment with a square top main for fun sailing in light wind, but it doesn't make any sense to save a few bucks and not get the real jib designed for that boat. If you keep it with the mast up in the sun, just put a snorkel on it (Murray's). You'll have it for a lot of years and you'll be able to trim it easier.

If you need to save a few bucks, start calling dealers and you may find one in a loft or storage bin that you can get at the original price. You may be able to find one for $400.

W

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Sails off Angola, NY, Lake Erie.

A guy on the catsailor forums had a few sets of used H18 sails. I may go with that route. I called Whirlwind sails and left a message last week, no return call. oh, well...