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 Post subject: Recommend a sail maker?
PostPosted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:17 pm 
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Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:34 pm
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Location: Parker, CO
Does anyone here have any experience with Beachcat Sail Company? I would like a new set of sails for my 16, but am not sure who to go with; any advice would be appreciated.

I'm just a rec sailing, not racing.

Beachcat has some good prices advertised, but I'm of the mindset that you usually get what you pay for.

Thanks.

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1974 Hobie 16
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:20 pm 
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Location: Knoxville, TN
If you are concerned about getting what you pay for, then you should absolutely, positively, contact a Hobie dealer and order a set of sails made by the Hobie Cat Co. for Hobie Cats. They are the best quality sails available for your boat. They aren't cheap, but definitely the best and most durable. If you don't have a Hobie dealer near you that you feel comfortable with, contact Mariner Sails, the Dallas area Hobie dealer. They'll ship anywhere or have your order drop shipped to you. Their website is http://www.mariner-sails.com/. On another note, if I were buying a new set of sails, I'd consider paying a little extra have Hobie build me a custom set of sails using the colors of my choice from their extensive palette. Coordinate custom sails through your dealer.

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H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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PostPosted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:06 pm 
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MVD wrote:
If you are concerned about getting what you pay for, then you should absolutely, positively, contact a Hobie dealer and order a set of sails made by the Hobie Cat Co. for Hobie Cats. They are the best quality sails available for your boat. They aren't cheap, but definitely the best and most durable.


MVD is right, but if cost is an issue, you may want to check out this site. http://www.whirlwindsails.com/wordpress/

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Happy Sailing,

David


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:18 am 
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Another point to consider is that if/when you go to sell your boat, it'll have better resale value with Hobie built sails on it. One of the big reasons is that only Hobie made sails are legal for class racing. A potential buyer with an interest in racing will most likely pass up a boat with aftermarket sails and buy another one that is class legal.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:38 am 
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Location: Charlottesville, VA
FishSniper's boat is 40 years old. No one buying it will care about class-legal racing.

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'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:41 am 
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Location: Parker, CO
All very good points. Thanks much.

Are there some standard questions I should ask of the non-Hobie sail makers? I'm not leaning in any particular direction yet, just want to be informed when the time comes to buy the sails.

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1974 Hobie 16
Sail #44677 (Sails maybe from a newer boat as they are the Keoke design which wasn't available until 1978)


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:23 pm 
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Well excuuuuuuuse me. The age of Fishniper's boat wasn't in his original post. How was I supposed to know it was 40 years old.

That aside, come down and join us for Cat Fest on Sept 7 & 8 at Lake Norman. HCA Points Regatta for the H16 class.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:30 pm 
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Whether I'm sailing for fun or racing, I still want to have the good stuff on my boat, and that includes the sails.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:49 pm 
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Boat age was in his other thread.

As for quality, nothing wrong with having that discussion but no one seems to have any information for him. I know for a fact there are well-regarded aftermarket sailmakers for H16, and if I can find the name I'll post it.

The square-top sails from Switzerland look interesting! And there is another square-top maker as well; I think they are here in the US.

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:06 pm 
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Location: High Point, NC
The fellow that is behind Whirlwind sails used to run Hobie's sail loft. I would think he knows what he's doing. He's making a couple of Trifoiler sails for me now. When that's done, I'm going to have him make a new Tandem Island sail for me.

Be aware he's always about 10 weeks out on work.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:06 pm 
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Location: Parker, CO
I'll update my profile.

I only paid $500 for the boat and trailer last September. It hasn't been in the water since 2005. I've been working on it as a sort of restoration project. Some may say it's crazy to put any money into it, but if I look at it as recreation dollars spent on an annual basis, it's worth it for me.

Thanks for your advice.

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1974 Hobie 16
Sail #44677 (Sails maybe from a newer boat as they are the Keoke design which wasn't available until 1978)


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:01 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:28 pm
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Location: BC, Canada
Tom Kirkman wrote:
The fellow that is behind Whirlwind sails used to run Hobie's sail loft. I would think he knows what he's doing


+1 for Chip of the Whirlwind, but politically correct answer on this forum is to go with a Hobie dealer. As I understand, Hobie sails are made in the US, so you would be supporting American jobs as well.

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PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 5:41 am 
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:20 am
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Location: New Brighton, PA
Congratulations FishSnaper on improving your boat for more enjoyment. I'm not familiar with Beachcat sails. I looked at their website and can at least recommend 5.53 Dacron. The 4.0 will be too thin and not hold up as well if you sail in heavy wind so keep that in mind no matter who you go with.
One family at our lake just got a set of sails made for him by Whirlwind, 6oz Dacron, neon orange and they are a nice, good looking set! Sails installed and hoisted with no problems, his boat speed and performance were greatly increased and they are having more fun on the water. The set cost him $1200, they also had a good variety of colors to work with for your own custom design.

Sail Care in Ford City PA. also makes some good sails and do repairs

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PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:13 pm 
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Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:34 pm
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Location: Parker, CO
I took a look at the Hobie dealers, and after second thought, I would like to keep it as original as possible. Ordering the sails from Hobie would greatly simplify the purchasing process; just tell 'em what size Hobie and what color pattern I want.

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1974 Hobie 16
Sail #44677 (Sails maybe from a newer boat as they are the Keoke design which wasn't available until 1978)


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:38 pm 
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 am
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Location: Knoxville, TN
I think you'll be very pleased with your new sails.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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