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D-One - open sailmakers?

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gbr940 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gbr940 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: D-One - open sailmakers?
    Posted: 04 Sep 13 at 10:52pm
Netley SC.

Mr Storer...the B14 and RS800 sails are vastly different in design, cost and supply - the RS mark up is extraordinary, having spoken to a number of RS sailors at the club. The B14 sails are not cheap but our sailmakers (whom we are free to chose from) are still investing in design and build...let's not forget which sailmaker rocked up at the recent Euros and won (let us not then forget which other sailmaker won the Worlds). Just food for thought!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Ruscoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 13 at 10:59pm
Originally posted by gbr940

Netley SC.


Ahh yes that's my  (the demo boat)  its been lent out to a new customer whilst his boat is finished off at the factory.

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Post Options Post Options   Quote sargesail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 13 at 11:22pm
Originally posted by craiggo

Graeme, you'd be right assuming that most dinghy sailors were open minded enough to try their local sailmaker or have a crack at something for the hell of it, but the UK sailing scene is very much a herd activity. If one or two of the bulls in the herd go for one particular sail loft, with the odd exception most will follow. The reputations of Jim & Taxi are so powerful that people will tend to gravitate to their sails, even if, dare I say it? a smaller local loft may be able to have a bash at a design with an obscure cloth that could be a winner.
Id tend to think there is no point opening it up other than to support the odd sail made be a relative independant.

Not sure it's a UK herd scene thing.  It's about how we tune and test - 2 boat, incremental changes.  I've been running an interesting experiment sailing with a very different rig set from the majority in my class - the jury's out so far, and I'll never know as I'm going to go back closer to the norm as I sail with the kids.  Too be honest I feel pretty comfortable with that.  I'd buy Jim amd Taxi's sails not because of their reputation, not because they win, but because I don't want to be a long way off the majority gear.  But that's not a heard thing....it's sailing common sense.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 13 at 11:45pm
The d-one is a Smod and as such is attractive to sailors who enter a class who don't want cheque book warfare. Provided that the manufacture only takes a small margin on sails and is interested in refinement over a period I personally think this is fine and the best route. I have been put off classes before because they have a variety of masts, sails and set ups. 

Given the current demise in UK sailing I think that complicating classes is a bad decision- just keep it simple. That said wher manufacturers take th p*ss such as laser then I welcome replicas.


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Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 13 at 8:10am
Either way is valid.
Personally I am disillusioned with the SMOD sails approach due to cost and quality in some classes.
But there is a fair point that a lot of people have bought into the D-1 class on the basis of it being a SMOD with all the sails the same, are they going to be unhappy if the fundamental basis of the class changes?
It's about people being able to vary the fullness etc to suit their weight and style, not just choice of manufacturer.
At least the D1 seems to have very nice sails to start with.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 13 at 8:16am
I guess that's why the decision will ultimately be taken by democratic process and informed consultation by those customers- not Devoti etc. However if it went 60:40 (either way) then I can see where you might have some issues to resolve!

Personally I like the service from HD Sails- the fact that I think my Solo sail is the nicest rag I've ever owned, it almost sets itself, is also a bonus! They are also one of my local sailmakers... I can get there and back over my lunchtime if necccesary.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 13 at 8:37am
I've never heard of Jim&Taxi Sails, is it a company? It doesn't google, they should get a web site, are they bidding to make D1 sails then?

It will at least give Russ his big moment to have a pink sail built and they may even tempt Lilac Lil Brace into the fray, if that is she hasn't gone and mtfu onto Longboard windsurfer racing.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 13 at 9:06am
Well if Jim and Taxi were sailing them that would be very interesting... two more boats in the West Midlands, coupled with Russ, Charlie and Jon within spitting distance.... all you'd need is a pint somewhere on a cold winter and a collective decision on where to sail next year.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gbr940 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 13 at 9:06am
the other problem with SMOD sails are that they are a contradiction in itself...no 2 sails are the same and its pot luck which ones you're sold!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 13 at 11:14am
I am on my way to the Gold Cup right now. Iam chartering a boat and if I like it I will buy one.  I would vote for open sailmaking because, as with the other boat I race, the contender, I want to be able to choose my sail according to quality and what I feel suits my style of sailing. Price has nothing to do with it.
the same, but different...

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