New Sails - too many choices

[foursailing]

I'm in the process of purchasing a new main and Genoa - looking for higher quality sails. Theres been a lot of positive feedback regarding Kappa so I started with them (spoke to Clarke, the owner who's a nice guy)

Also got quotes from North and Doyle for their high end Dacron sails.  I was a little surprised that all 3 were pretty close in price - thought that Doyle and North would have been quite a bit more.  Thinking it would be a better investment to go with one of the bigger lofts versus Kappa. 

Anybody had any recent experience with the above lofts?  Any other loft suggestions?

Also looking to install a main sail pack (either Mack Pack or Doyle Stackpack) - had a mack pack on my previous boat - thought it worked a lot better than my current dutchman.

Any thoughts or advice on the above would be appreciated,

Bill

[Jon Schneider]

I'm probably one of the ones who has said great things about Kappa.  I have a "kappa-cut" main and 140 genny.  I will never buy from anyone else, and I suspect everyone in my marina who has seen them and/or sailed with me won't shop anywhere else either.  They are perfectly shaped, wonderful to control.  I'm even amazed at how well the genny furls.  I bought a simple, low-end, cross-cut Doyle main (LI loft) for a previous boat and thought it was less well designed and way less durable than an "emergency" genoa I had made by a nearly out-of-the-business local canvas maker (Mills, Greenport, NY).  That genoa -which was a hanked-on that built for me in a week because my #1 got shredded- was actually a pretty nice sail for a cheap cross-cut.  That said, I wouldn't judge Doyle by the one, low-end sail I bought from them.  They're smart people who design good sails.  I agree with you about their Stacpack.  I would probably go their City Island loft, though.  Still my money's on Kappa.

[Jim Price]

I have a "standard" Kappa main and the added roach is unbelievable!  I does clear the backstay (just barely) but the performance and handling is greatly improved.  I don't fight the wheel all  the time.  I am not an expert sailor by any means but the cut and performance has made me a much better sailor.

As for Clarke, he personally handled the order and all the questions I had, even suggesting using a different type of slide arrangement due the the age of my mast and the friction in the track.  Helped tremendously.  Also did the same for replacing the rope on the foot with slides - I never could use the outhaul at all before.  Little things make a big difference.

And finally, customer service.  Shortly after I received the main sail, (I had a block rig with SS ring on other side of grommet for single line reef setup) we had a hard wind day and I was reefed (and slack sail tied up) when the force actually pulled the SS ring through the grommet (trust me, the SS ring was bigger!!) WITHOUT doing anything to the grommet.  The result was a sail with reefing line unattached and with the sail being tied down, all that pressure went to the tie eyes and started to tear.  Ripped pretty good before I could dump.  Kappa had me ship sail back, they repaired ($290 total) and if I did not point out where they did the work, you would never notice.  Clarke worked with me on understanding what he was going to do and why so as to not change the shape or performance of the sail.

Yea, I am biased    (Also, I still use single line reef but went back to line through the grommet around the boom and eliminated the block on the sail.  The friction I was trying to eliminate was done away with the new sail shape and quality anyway.)

[Joe and Carol]

Carol and I are extremely pleased with our Kappa Sails!  You will not be disappointed.  After one year of use the sails have performed perfectly allowing us to experience new points of sail, better speed, control, and lift force.  We have a Tall Rig with 150 genny.

[Ted Pounds]

I think the main consideration should be customer service.   Talk to other loft customers and see what they think.  (It sounds like Kappa gets high marks in that area.)

[crieders]

I have bought 2 155's over the years and one full batten main and one a-sym from Somerset Sails and like them very much. They are the best in the harbor; a unique blend of radial and cross cut.

[Analgesic]

I just took delivery on a 130 Genoa from Cruising Direct, the discount arm of North Sails.  From what I understand, there is no real difference in quality or construction.  They are made by North with the same designs and fabric choices.  The substantial savings (and it was substantial!) comes from offering stock designs for common models without the personal delivery and test sail you get from a higher end loft.  The service on the phone was excellent, delivery prompt.  They had made at least 10 of these for C34 owners in the past.   I won't launch until May but so far I am very pleased.
Brian McPhillips