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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

North Direct

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5358 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/04/2012 : 10:58:44

Got just a couple of quotes from North Sails for replacing the 150 genoa on Passage this week. If you recall, my sacrificial strip is starting to go on the jib, and the cost of simply replacing the strip is about $500.

If I buy one from North Direct, its a ready-made C-25 headsail for a furler with a strip, and since it is made for the specific size and shape of our boats, I assume it would fit like a glove. If not, they would probably not have many very happy customers. According to North, this is "good".

Also according to North, if I go with the "better" NorDac option, they have a custom-made product using a heavier Dacron where they come out to your boat, measure it all up and cut it special for your boat. Once you get the sail on, they tweak it and check it, and go out with you for a test sail. One-year full guarantee on everything. Excellent service and I'm sure I'd love it.

They offer a "best" NorDac extreme for competitive sailors, which it tweaked beyond belief. They probably buy you lunch during the test sail. I don't know.

So for the "good" no-frills sail, its about $750, and the "better" its about $1750. I did not price the "extreme".

I'm wondering whether anyone on the forum has any experience with this offering, or would advise to use "sails-R-us" or "sailsonline" or another mail order product. Does Catalina Direct offer replacements? Any experience with these?

I appreciate any advice you have.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 11:18:11

Check out Island Planet. I got a nice 135 for about 525

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 11:29:47

I ordered both a new 135 RF genoa and a loose footed main from North Direct last spring. I have no complaints about the sails and they look great. I don't race so the "good" option was what I purchased. I only had two issues; 1) it took about a month longer to receive the sails then they originally said. 2) The mainsail did not have a C25 insignia.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 13:38:11

I purchased the standard 135 RF genoa from North Sails Direct (made in Sri Lanka) a few years ago and I'm very pleased with it thus far. Although my main is still in great shape, when it needs replacing, I wouldn't hesitate buying a North stock main.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 14:37:40

Bruce: If you're replacing the sail I had on Passage, it's a 130, not a 150.

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Novi
1st Mate

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Canada
59 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 14:43:31

I bought a new NorDac lose foot main through North Direct this fall and I'm very happy.

The sail was cut and constructed offshore (china?) and was shipped to my local North loft for the finishing touches (insignia, tack ring position, clew lug size etc.) I took about 5 weeks for delivery. They didn't come out with me for a test sail (or take me to lunch

) but they did ask me to take some pictures of the sail in action so they could be sure the fit was good and give me some tuning tips.

The cost was $1100can delivered which is very comparable to the CD costs after shipping and customs duty and taxes get added.

I'm budgeting for a new 135% for 2013 and it will be a North sail again,

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 17:46:19

Bruce, You might want to measure the luff of your old sail. Most of the off the shelf sails are 28ft, Yours with a roller might be shorter ( mine is 27'8") so just make sure you have the room for the new sail to fit your roller.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 23:39:39

I ordered my 135 furler from North Sails Direct (now known as North Direct) and bought my CDI furler from them also. At that time they were selling the two as a package so I would assume the one they are selling now is made to the proper dimensions to fit the CDI furler. I have had the sail for about 5 years now and it still looks and works good.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5358 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2012 : 08:56:03

Thanks to all for your advice and observations. I just contacted the sales person on this, and plan to do the deal this week.
Dave - thanks also for letting me know its a 135 (how could I have made such a simple mistake)?
Scott - thanks for the tip - I will check the length. The "bead" that slides up inside the furler foil track is shorter than the overall length, so will measure that as well.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2012 : 17:20:40

I have had excellent success with Ullman Ventura. Gary has supplied to Catalina for years and knows our boats -- and his pricing is very competitive. I have a quote for a new mid-quality 135 for @$750.00 -- To replace the UV strip is @$250.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.