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Topic: Sails |
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rob |
Posted: 09-Sep-04 21:05 |
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We have just purchased a new spinnaker and have just ordered our new main sail and were shocked at the price. We needed them so had no option but it got me thinking.
I realise that the boat needs to stay uniform in order to make the racing fair but would other sail companies not be able to make an identical sail at less cost which would probably force sobstad or topper to drop the cost to meet with the competition. Boats like 420’s don’t seem to have a problem with using more than one sail maker so why do we stick to one.
As a fleet who are trying to encourage new sailors it would be great to start producing cheaper, same quality sails. I think this would give the iso an edge on the second hand market and interest new sailors. A second hand boat sounds a bargain at just over £1000 but haven to spend the same on a new suit of sails must put some people off.
We may also see more people at open meetings as people seem to have the misconception that you are not competitive if you don’t have new sails and a shiny boat, we all know this is not true but some don’t.
This message was not sent to start a huge argument. It may just be lack of understanding on my part.
Rob 650 |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 09-Sep-04 21:45 |
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You aren't the first to raise this point - and for sure won't be the last.
So first of all, we stick with Sobstad because the ISO is a one design and Isoteck, the designers, specified Sobstad as the sailmaker way back in 1993.
2nd - where did you buy your sails ? Did you check the prices on this Message Board from July as posted by Topper ? Did you get your Class Members 15% discount as offered by Topper in their posting ? If the answer is "yes" to the last two points then the prices should be no surprise.
Over the last 2 years we have had serious debate about the sail plan, materials and costs vs the merits, or otherwise, of permitting alternative / additional sailmakers. The membership have consistently voted against splitting the fleet by way of changing the sail plan. Sobstad have changed the materials over the last 18 months or so which apparently gives better life to the newer sails. Performance ?? Still under debate - suffice to say we can get ahead of Ian and Katie with 2 year old sails. Just can't sail well enough to stay in front of them - yet 
Another point to bear in mind is that many Classes, whilst they do permit multiple manufacturers, spend a lot of time before each event measuring and scrutineering boats. Those who were in Garda this year saw the Contender fleet, all 70 of them, being completely stripped to the bare hull and every mm then measured - at a cost to each boat, not to mention 2 or 3 lost sailing days ! So whilst we do have the cost of single manufacturer sails, we don't have the repeat costs, time and effort in measurement and scrutineering. Same applies to the Fireball fleet as I understand it - you buy a new sail then have to take it to an official measurer and pay them to certify it is within spec. Last I heard that costs around £100.
So, there are an awful lot of pros and cons in the sail debate - and a million more opinions - but on balance your Committee have seen fit, so far, to retain Sobstad as the defined manufacturer. We do now have a Technical Committee who are revisiting this and many other aspects of the Class Rules. We are also in onging active discussion with Isoteck and Topper on all these matters to try to steer a suitable compromise for everyone - including commercial sensibility for the manufacturers.
Do also bear in mind that the ISO mainsail does seem to last a long time - remember ISO650 at QMSC ?? Original main, albeit not sailed very much. Kites - yes, even with care become pretty floppy after 2 seasons. Jibs - sail them hard and 1 maybe 2 seasons.
Hope that helps
Bob |
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