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F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:31 pm
by Mark K.
I will be ordering new sails this month for my Freedom 35'.
I haven't bought new custom sails for a boat before so I am interested in people's experiences, things they think they did right/wrong etc.
I am impressed with North Sails and will probably order through them although the cost might be a bit more than other sail makers.
As for actual usage I am a weekend sailor in Boston, I sail every or every other weekend have not raced but might get into it.
Maybe Bahamas or so after retirement.
Budget is an issue but more interested in being happy with the sails over the next 10+ years rather than being happy with the price in the short time.
I got smoked by another Freedom 35' with beautiful tri-radial sails last spring so my thinking right now is:
*Dacron tri-radial construction
*2 reef points Since that is all I have the boom hardware for and 3 reef points adds weight and expense,
*Any thoughts on maximizing the jib and going with a little less roach in the main to balance out the sail plan a bit?
*If I will only have 2 reef points how deep to put them???
I have a Mac Pack now with my Doyle main sail and while it is easy to drop the main I don't like the windage and difficulty seeing what the bottom of the sail is doing.
I want to find the right balance of speed/durability/longevity for the kind of sailing I do.
Finally any ideas on keeping the cost down?
Thank you,

Re: F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:55 am
by Salacia
Mark,
Make sure they measure the luff length on the mast. On my F35, it is shorter than spec. The sailmaker and I discovered this the hard way. Being recut over the winter.

Re: F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:11 pm
by Mark K.
Salacia wrote:Mark,
Make sure they measure the luff length on the mast. On my F35, it is shorter than spec. The sailmaker and I discovered this the hard way. Being recut over the winter.
Thank you. The North rep wants my old Jib and main to take measurements from since with the shrink wrap on it is not possible at this time to take all the mast measurements.

Re: F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:19 pm
by Camino
Mark -fwiw check out Mack Sails for your main - Freedom Logo included and a good price. Mine was a perfect fit right off using their specs. I did have full battens and 3 reef points but 2 are cheaper! . I do have a Mack pack with battens and never think about that effect on the performance - all seems right in sf bay where winds are often high ( ok except for This last Saturday!)

Re: F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:47 am
by jamesorr
Mostly agree re: the 3 reefs -- but when you need the 3rd one -- it can be really handy (was transiting south on Lake Ontario all day on a reach in 30 - 40 knot winds once, and the 3rd reef was really a necessity). My boat (a Mull 32) also only has boom hardware for 2 reefs, and if the 3rd reef is setup, then there is not enough line in the system to fully raise the sail, so we normally rig reef points 1 and 3 (or 2 and 3) with the expectation that if the day requires a 3rd reef, we are probably not going to raise the full sail regardless.

Re: F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 11:31 pm
by JJMc3
Mark, thanks for asking the question. I too have just started shopping for a loft to build new sails for our Freedom 38 in Boston Harbor-- under shrink wrap at Constitution Marina. Where is yours?
I am talking with the North loft in Portsmouth, RI where I have appreciated their service. Also Ullman and Thurston Quantum (which is said to have lots of experience with Freedoms) in RI, and Mack Sails in Florida. All have been recommended by various friends and professionals.
What I'm looking for is affordable and durable sails for cruising, and a sailmaker that is easy to work with. My plan is to use the slides from my old sail as it has a relatively recent Tides Strong track system. No pack system, I'm willing to wrangle the main with ties and a sail cover for now. I will post again as I get closer to a decision. I hope others will respond to your question.

Re: F35 ordering new sails! Suggestions wanted

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:46 am
by Mark K.
I'm at Constitution as well, I noticed your Freedom 38 on T-dock. I'm on C-dock, can't miss my boat with the BBQ on the stern outside the shrink wrap. It would be good to meet you and compare ideas.
Cheers!
Mark K.
S/V Encore