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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/22/2009 : 11:33:40

I recently inquired of Catalina Direct if they intend to ever offer sails for the C250. I bought their Ullman Offshore sails for my C22 and was very happy with them. CD replied that they do indeed now offer C250 sails but had not yet updated their web site to reflect that.

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2009 : 15:30:59

Randy, I am replacing my worn 110 with a 135 and looks like Ullman in Ventura is who I will go with. Did they say who they will use this time?
Steve A

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2009 : 16:53:32

CD says to call them and they will give the info and a quote. I have always been pleased with CD products and service.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2009 : 17:16:18

I'm impatiently awaiting the arrival of my new 135 genoa from North Sails.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 05:35:01

Don, just wondered if you went thru NS or NS direct? I got a quote from NS at $1250 but they have a 25% off if you turn in your old sail. This price was comparable to NS direct at $958. Tax and shipping extra for both.

But I am leaning toward Ullman at $750, incl. tax and shipping. Plus for me they are local. How did you decide on NS?

Steve A

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 09:34:17

I got a quote through NS for $1,244.00 and with the 25% of for my old sail it came out to $933.00 (plus tax and S/H). The NS direct price was $715.00 (before tax and S/H). This is what I went with. My previous 135 was a NS and I was very happy with it, that is, up until I shredded it in a blow last week.

I've been wanting to upgrade it for a few years now so I wasn't altogether disappointed that it self destructed on me.

I called Ullman Ventura and they quoted me a price of $972.00 (same as Catalina Direct). The Ullman from CD is listed as an "Offshore" type sail of 5.53oz cloth. The NS Direct sail that I ordered is 6oz. It may be inconsequential, but since I like to sail in moderate to heavier winds, I like the idea of that extra half ounce of cloth.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 13:38:36

Don, Strange but with NS direct, I was quoted $684 plus $103 for UV and $177 for rope luff, which I dont think I will add.
With Ullan, the also quote with 6 oz.
I called CD and they just quoted me $886 with foam luff, dacron UV with 6oz, from Ullamn.

Steve A

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jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 14:30:56

I recently shopped for and bought a mainsail. One result was a little bit of education thanks to some of the sail salesmen. Bottom line was that even if you are into racing there is no practical benefit from going with materials more exotic than high modulus dacron for a boat the size of a Catalina 250. Anyone care to comment ?

Edited by - jbkayaker on 07/23/2009 14:32:21

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 16:07:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jbkayaker
 I recently shopped for and bought a mainsail. One result was a little bit of education thanks to some of the sail salesmen. Bottom line was that even if you are into racing there is no practical benefit from going with materials more exotic than high modulus dacron for a boat the size of a Catalina 250. Anyone care to comment ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I bought North dacron racing sails for my 1981 C25 when it was new, and raced it for 23 years until I sold it. The mainsail had a big racing roach and a racing shelf foot, as well as a flattening reef. The genoa was a decksweeping 155, and I also had a North dacron 110 for stronger winds.

With those sails, the boat regularly beat boats to the finish line that owed the C25 handicap time, even though they used laminated racing sails. In winds of ordinary strength, I saw no major disadvantage to my dacron sails, except that I had to trim them more frequently, because they stretched slightly in the stronger puffs. In very strong winds and very light winds, I believe the laminated sails had an advantage, because they were somewhat lighter, which meant less weight aloft, and, for a tall rig, that was important, because, when the wind piped up, it suffered from weight aloft. Also, the dacron sails were harder to trim flat in the stronger winds, whereas the laminated sails retained their shape better. Also, in light air, the laminated sails took their shape more easily, which enabled them to drive the boat better, and to point higher. Nevertheless, even in light air, the dacron sails could be competitive with laminated sails, if you had 2-3 extra crew to use as movable ballast.

So, to summarize, on a smaller boat, I'd say the main disadvantage that dacron has to laminated sails is in strong winds.

Another consideration is that laminated racing sails should never be used for anything but racing, because they can't withstand any abuse or flogging. In that same vein, laminated sails should be rolled and bagged, not folded and bagged, and that becomes a significant chore for a cruiser or day sailor.

When I bought my sails, in 1981, laminated sails were being sold for the same exact price as dacron sails, but the life expectancy of laminated sails was about 300 tacks. My dacron sails continued to win races for me for 23 years, and the genoa was still a good sail when I sold the boat.

Unless you are deadly serious about racing, I would recommend that you buy dacron sails, that have all the racing options, from a good manufacturer. If you sail the boat well, you'll be very competitive in club racing, and, if you want to race in bigger regattas, they'll still have to sail well to beat you.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 07/23/2009 16:23:01

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 16:17:30

JB, It certainly has been an education for me as well shopping for a jib. There are many factors and at times somewhat confusing. I also became educated as to how to properly remove the my sail, which I have not done or needed to do before.

But to answer your question, I have to agree with you but some will disagree and that's OK. I have found this site extremely helpful to gather info but make my own decision based on my own personal needs, experiences and even where I sail. But there are decisions ones makes if racing vs cruising that will benefit that style of sailing.
I am making this a short comment as I know others will chime in.

Steve A

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.