I can't say enough good things about the service I got from Thurston sails. They are a local Quantum sail loft. The service was great, Steve Thurston was/is very responsive and accommodating. He gave me a tour of the loft prior to making my decision. Spoke with me several times over the phone, prior to making my decision, and never once seemed like I was anything but worthy of his time. I actually feel guilty for not using them this time... I do feel I got a higher quality cloth for a similar price though. The fact does remain that, most of the big sail companies construct the sails off shore. All the design work is done at you local loft on computers with sail making software. that info is then sent overseas, digitally, and the panels are cut with machines, from the info in the file the local loft sent. Then the overseas crew stitches the whole thing together. From what I understand it is based, very much, on Henry Ford's production line model. Each member has his/her task and does just that task or set of tasks. I'm willing to bet that anyone buying anything other than a custom racing sail is getting them from "off shore." The local loft will have the sail shipped to their loft and bring it to your boat. So, you probably won't see the origin. One thing I find funny is that if you mention a boat being built in Taiwan, some may scoff. But the fact is, those Taiwanese yards produced some of the highest quality boat in production boat history. These are marine based cultures going WAY back. I found the customer service of Precision to, pretty much mirror what I got from Thurston except, I didn't get to meet and shake the hand of my sail designer. They were pretty responsive to my calls and emails. There were a couple of communication issues but, I think it was based more on perceived tones within written emails than anything else. I really don't think I'll be need any more new sails in the near future as the mainsail is in very good condition from what I can tell. However, I have to get it into a loft for service and inspection. It was left, rolled up on the boom furler, literally, for years and has some green stuff that grew on it. One other observation I made during research of both the sails for Lolita and this new sail, Most of the complaints about any "off shore" type sail loft, were from people that didn't own a sail from them. It was usually someone that decided to go local and were happy, and sharing their opinions as to why they decided NOT to buy from the "off shore" loft. Most of the reports from people who did buy off-shore sails were generally happy with what they got. Most knew they got what they paid for, some raved about the sails they got, and I can only recall one complaint from someone that actually bought off-shore sails and that was shipping issue not a quality complaint. Anyway, thats the best of my memory during the hours and hours of research going into both sail purchases. Danny
---------- Original Message ---------- From: robert via CnC-List <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: robert <[email protected]> Subject: Stus-List Sail loft service Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:26:42 -0400 I echo Mike's experience with the local sail lofts here.....I have also had nothing but excellent service and relations with both Doyle and North over the years. It's the people that make the difference and the people at both lofts here are very connected to the local sailing community......they know many of us on a first name basis. Rob Abbott AZURA C&C 32 - 84 Halifax, N.S. On 2016-02-25 11:13 AM, Hoyt, Mike via CnC-List wrote:Steve � I am glad to hear that you had a positive experience with your overseas loft.� I am also very dismayed to hear of your experiences with your local sailmakers � I would like to say that in the last 17 years of boat ownership we have had nothing short of excellent service and relations with the local lofts in Halifax.� We have dealt with both Doyle in Dartmouth and North Sails Atlantic in Halifax.� The friendliness, turnaround and workmanship of both have been first rate.� � Unfortunately I will have to win a lottery before I can by any more sails. Fortunately I do not currently need any more � Mike Persistence Halifax, NS � From: CnC-List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stevan Plavsa via CnC-List Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 10:57 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Stevan Plavsa Subject: Re: Stus-List Got a New 135% Head Sail � I purchased a Rolly Tasker 155 a couple of years ago for Suhana. It's a good sail but like the OP, I have nothing to compare it against except the original genoa which was deteriorating. So, leagues better than what I had. It was $1600 shipped to my door from Thailand and arrived two weeks after I placed the order. The local lofts all wanted about double for same/similar features and a lot more time. � Here's the rub and here's where I disagree with people on this list and others that tout the "support" and "cusomter service" of the local guys. I was treated better by the foreign sail loft. They answered my emails in a timely way, they were polite and interested. The locals, almost all of them, had a standoffish, almost arrogant attitude and they were slow to provide pricing and email replies. to me, that's terrible customer service. First and foremost, I want to be treated like a valued customer and that starts with the first hello, it doesn't start after I open my checkbook and they come out to my boat.� � No thanks. � Steve Suhana, C&C 32 Toronto _______________________________________________Email address:[email protected] change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at:http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
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