For those members, who like me are skin flints. I have just received a new genoa that I ordered from a sail loft in Hong Kong called Far East Sails.
Have now tried it out a couple of times and have been more that impressed with the complete package.
The saving is well worth it, in our case I was quoted $3,840 for the genoa in Australia and paid a total of $1,712 for it from HK.
Another member of the yacht club put me onto it after he purchased a spinnaker from them.
Usual disclaimer here. I have no connection with this company.
Dusty (KenM)
that is cheap! did that include shipping?
and did they put the tell tails on for you , or did you have to do that your self?
What do you do if you tear it or some stitching comes apart in 6 months time? Or you realize that the cloth used wasn't quite a speced as the one from Australia? Sorry but I've been both sides of the coin and the cheap stuff is NEVER as good as from a reputable sailmaker. Yes, I have a bias as I've been in the industry for 25 years but not for the last few years. Foreign doesn't mean bad but cheap usually does. Sorry but that's my opinion.
I've been around sailing for 30 years, had a sail maker as crew for 2 years. By now I think I know a little about sails.
The cloth they use is of equal or better than local sail makers, they use Americam thread "triple stitched" not double stitched like the local sail maker.
It came with three set of tell tales up the luff, foam luff, tell tale windows, draft stripe and sheeting stripe.
The cost was "all inclusive" that includes shipping.
I did ask questions on other forums before parting with the money and had positive feedback from all who had dealt with them.
They are very thorough with the measuring technique required and ask you at least twice to check your measurements.
A detailed plan of the sail is sent to you to review before theywill go ahead with making it.
Dusty (KenM)
Rodward,
www.fareastsails.com
They specify that they use "Contender, Bainbridge or Challenge" sailcloth.
Cheers
Dusty (KenM)
As a result of this topic i asked Far east sais to quote me a new screetcher/code zero.The quote came back at Half the price of the Aussie Quotes i had and i found out the Aussie sails were to be made in Asia and sent over and a doubling in price to be added?. Im all for Far East Sails
Hangtime
Thank you for the information, I am currently chasing a new set of sails and that just blows me away. It is ashamed that our money has to go to Asia but half the price is incredible, bloody Aussies, thank God om a kiwi Lol.
I am now ordering a new main for an S&S34 from Fareast sails. $1400 Aus with full length battens, tell tales, 9.4oz Contender cloth (one weight up from the recommended), 2 reefs where I want them and bag. Delivered.
Taskers quoted $2800 made in Phuket.
Agreed Cisco,
Its not just the labour costs that kill off our own industries, it's the poor attitude and service!
As for putting you out of a job?
No problem, I hope I continue to put people who supply poor quality workmanship at over inflated prices, or worse, people who also buy overseas products and then stick their name on it (misrepresentation) to sell to unsuspecting suckers out of business.
I ALWAYS go into my local chandlery and give him the opportunity to compete.
He respects me for it and is often able to come close enough to make it a deal.
A win, win situation for both of us.
Dusty
Poor quality workmanship and poor attitude and service? And poor quality and workmanship from reputable Australian lofts is just a crap statement. We have better sailmakers here than anywhere else in the world. The whole comment's a bit harsh, don't you think? Poor guys not the problem
For the record, I purchased a new main for our yacht last year from one of the biggest and well branded lofts in Australia.
The description I gave as "poor service could not be described in any other way, as for "poor quality" I strongly suspect that the sail was purchased overseas in "kit form" and then assembled at their loft for twice the price.
I was not having a go at the individual that posted, but he should think a little deeper. He didn't loose his job because of my posting, he lost his job because of poor management skills of greedy business owners.
The whole posting "a little harsh?"
No way! I have been in business for 40 years and I would expect the same treatment from anyone that I don't perform satisfactory for.
Dusty
Well if you still think that a product from overseas is still a good deal. Then think of the reduced OHS laws on the factory worker. He crushes his hand he cannot work and he ends up a beggar. Nice attitude for a "cheap" sail. And you probably complain about paying for somebody on unemployment benefits. I used to work for the love of making sails, working in a great job in a sport I love. I guess I'll never be a millionaire without ripping somebody off with a great marketing strategy. Support your local sailmaker and boat builder, a dying breed of local manufacturers.
I,m with you on that one Dusty. We are currently seeing an increase in cheap overseas labour hitting our shores. If our big business over hear took more pride in there customer relations and paid less attention to making huge profits we would not have the need to shop offshore. I have been in small business for 30 years and have always offered the best service i can give. Just remember the media has ways of twisting the truth to suit themselves, don,t believe everything you read or see about overseas work places.
Cheers
Ken
Hi Twizzle4
I have been very interested in the debate going on into cheaper Asian made sails.
I am very conscious of buying Australian made product as these imports are killing the country. I do not blame the purchaser at all for making an offshore purchase but our inept government for allowing such a situation to develop through the over importation of products that could be and have been manufactured in Australia.
What can you do personally about this situation as a sail manufacturer...?
No need for personal attacks.
Fortunately or unfortunately we are in a global market place. I believe Oz sail makers will increasingly focus on the racing sailor who is willing to pay for a superb sail with after sales service. I don't need that quality and sail on a tight budget.
Yes, Asian countries often have lower employment standards than Oz. However if they don't get work they won't have anything. Having travelled to Asia numerous times since 1975, all the major countries are advancing human and employee rights pretty rapidly. They need opportunities to be able to advance their situations, and I need reasonably good sails at a low price.
One more thing on sails and reefing. I have to decide whether the reefing cringles on the luff on my new mainsail are grommets (hole through the sail with a stainless ring) or D rings on webbing straps.
Most boats use grommets but last weekend I was doing reefing drills on a boat that had D rings. I thought the D rings were easier to use as you don't need to pull the cringle down over folds of sail to get it on the hook.
Does anybody have any experience on D rings versus a grommet cringle? Is there an issue I haven't been able to see?
John
i've got rings on stropes onto horns, really good. But you need your winches on the mast, I have 3.
Otherwise, grommets and back to the cockpit.
Might sound like a dumb question, but why do you need winches on the mast for D rings on straps?
On the weekend I was on the Sailors with Disabilities boat, an ex racing 54'. During reefing practice I found the rings on straps could be manoeuvred around the bulk of the sail onto the horn a lot easier than it would have been possible with grommets on the sail.
My 34' boat doesn't have the same bulk of folded sail but it seems it would be easier task to get the ring on the horn with the straps than with grommets. They are also more likely to stay there, with grommets the bulk of the sail pushes the grommet off the horn, with the strap the angle of the ring on the horn is better.
In regard to Far East Sails I thank you Hangtime for the lead, I have had sails priced from the local sail lofts and as expected the prices were up there, I made sure that information given to each loft was apples for apples so as to keep manufacturers on the
same wave length. Have contacted F E S and will give you all an update on price difference when I have obtained the quote.
Hope you all are well and enjoying life to the fullest, sailing your arses off, P.S. there is no sailing allowed in Heaven so make the most of it...?
P.P.S. Guess who's back in town, the fish kisser BadInfluence, batten down the hatches.
My experience so far with FES is very good. I have ordered my main at a price of $1466 US, about $1350 AUS. After placing the deposit they have been in constant contact and have assisted me with getting the measurements right and with advice. Once I have figured out the reefing grommet/D ring issue I will confirm the order.
I measured the P and E from the mast to the black line on the mast/boom and, on their advice, took 5 cm off each to be safe. They will now make the sail to the reduced P and E so that with stretch it will remain under the P and E. If all goes according to plan the sail will always be well under the black lines and 5cm off each dimension makes stuff all difference in sail area. In fact my current 25 year old main is about 5cm under the black lines.
They also needed the Tack cut back and Tack cut up and the backstay measurement. Their instructions and diagrams made it easy even for me, I knew little about sail measurement previously.
They will be sending me a drawing of the sail to confirm all measurements before they start cutting.
The real test of course is when I get the sail on the boat but the process gives me confidence.
John
