Do I need to measure for sails?

[Macblaze]

Well it's time. I have both the need and the cash to get a new set of sails. What I don't have is access to the boat.

I was wondering how much of an issue ordering sails using the builders specs would be on a 2003 Hunter 386—its pretty well documented and afaik has no modifications done to it. I am not due to get to the coast until May and I would absolutely love to cruise on brand new sails this spring. I've done an initial round of quotes, but most videos/articles seem to suggest that whatever loft I choose is going to want actual measurements and that isn't likely to be possible until we get out there.

So... how dumb would it be to trust the specs?

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

but most videos/articles seem to suggest that whatever loft I choose is going to want actual measurements and that isn't ?

Two options:
1. You could depend on a bunch of strangers for dubious advice, or
2. You can ask the sail loft.

Tough choice?

[GSpencerCat30]

I'm looking for sails too for a Catalina 30. I talked to local lofts and some "online" lofts. No one that I spoke to would build a sail without measurements.

The best reason I got was "boats are not build like cars, they don't go down assembly lines"

I like the idea of measure twice cut once.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Two options:
1. You could depend on a bunch of strangers for dubious advice, or
2. You can ask the sail loft.

Tough choice?

Duh. But a bit of knowledge going into a new situation never hurts. It kills me some people think a bit of research before hand is dumb while others think trusting someone who is trying to sell you some thing is stupid. Personally I think neither is a bad choice...trusting blindly on the other hand...

Just trying to do some due diligence

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by GSpencerCat30

I'm looking for sails too for a Catalina 30. I talked to local lofts and some "online" lofts. No one that I spoke to would build a sail without measurements.

The best reason I got was "boats are not build like cars, they don't go down assembly lines"

I like the idea of measure twice cut once.

Ya, that's my suspicion. I wonder how much to costs to hire a guy—the idea of new sails is just so inviting

[pcmm]

Talk to the loft. Unless they were the OEM for your builder, they will want a lot more data. When I ordered mine they wanted the published numbers, the actually measured numbers I,E,P,J, etc. measurements from the old sails, pictures of the boat with the old sails hoisted, and any track measurements, foil tape info, my notes on how the existing sails fit and any changes I wanted

[GSpencerCat30]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Ya, that's my suspicion. I wonder how much to costs to hire a guy—the idea of new sails is just so inviting

I've watched a few how to videos and really looks very simple....

https://www.youtube.com/c/PrecisionS...=dd&shelf_id=5

I've seen a few forms from sail lofts.... You don't need to hire anyone... just take your time and fill out the forms...

I'm going to order my sails this week.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by GSpencerCat30

I've watched a few how to videos and really looks very simple....

https://www.youtube.com/c/PrecisionS...=dd&shelf_id=5

I've seen a few forms from sail lofts.... You don't need to hire anyone... just take your time and fill out the forms...

I'm going to order my sails this week.

Ah, you missed the salient part of my post

I am currently 1300 km away.

[thomm225]

You can go to Bacon Sails and look up your boat on the used sails site and get the I, J, P, and E measurements.

https://baconsails.com/bacon/select_sailboat_API.php

Then compare those to sailboatdata. (I, J, P, and E.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/hunter-386

The last mainsail I had made the sailmaker used the sailboatdata I, J, P, and E numbers for my boat to make the sail. even though he came out and measured himself.

[GSpencerCat30]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Ah, you missed the salient part of my post

I am currently 1300 km away.

You are correct... I missed that.... Hire a guy.... 4 out of 4 sail makers I've spoken to said they would not build a sail without measurements.

[alctel]

It's one of those things that's probably fine if the boat is still OEM spec, but if you are wrong you are out a large amount of money.

One of the local sail lofts may be able to send a guy over to measure for a hundred bucks or so

[MarkSF]

There isn't a loft that is near the boat? Sounds like your best bet to me.

A good sailmaker won't just measure the boat, they will take into account the sailing conditions in the area, and the sailing you want to do. Could be using a heavier or lighter grade of cloth, more reef points, where the reef points are (% sail area), cutting the foot of the jib a little higher so you can see under it, and so on - all these were part of my conversation with the sailmaker.

Need a cunningham? What kind of slides in the mast? In the boom? Lots of things where they really need to see the boat.

[chris mac]

It comes down to good,better, best!
What will you be happy with? Of course sails can be made off of online specs, but how well will it fit.
Part of why we chose who we did for our new mainsail was we were able to dock the boat near him. He visited our boat several times prior to be finished, and made a few trips after to install and tweak things to be absolutely perfect!
The flip side is, many people order sails online from across the world, especially for mass produced models.
It all depends on what finished product level you are looking for

[NormanMartin]

After having bought several suits of sails... measure.

Measure once yourself and then have the sailmaker measure. There are a number of other decisions, too, about shape, reefing, furling, fabric, etc. Call a couple of pros and get some input.

[Jim Cate]

I've purchased a lot of sails over the years. I have used local lofts rather than on-line for many reasons, but an important one is that in every case the sailmaker himself came to the boat to make the measurements. And a local loft can send someone to your boat in your absence to do so now, so I don't see any problem in your situation.

After the measuring, a telephone interview with the sailmaker to discuss options would be essential.

Jim