I am about to order new #1 for my boat, and received the following quotes at the Annapolis Boat show:

Neil Pryde Sails - Vectrix Sport String Saill, Membrane construction, made out of Vectrix Technora - $2,346.82

Quantum - Fusion M Class Sail, Membrane construction, madeout of Black Aramid yarns with Yellow Aramid fibers between polyester films - $3,589.38

Ulman Sails - Technora fiber path -$2,492, (recommendedboption) or
Aramid X-tech $2,067

North - 3DL 680 thermo molded made out of Aramid/cCarbon (70% / 30%) -$2,846.40

Could not find a U/K booth at the event, butwill try to get a quote from them as well. U/K, North & Quantum seem to be what boats here on the Chesapeake use, but I am wondering if any one hasany experience with Neil Pryde or Ulman?

No experience with Ulman or Neil Pryde. The Quantum quote looks high. Charlie Stoddard sails with Quantum and may have some better info for you.

I have the North 3DL 680 Thermo. It has great shape and is light. If you will be using this sail everyday, you may want to consider the added weight of a panel sail because it will last longer. You need to treat the lightweight 3DL sails with kid gloves. The reduced weight and performance comes at the expense of longevity. I just retired a 2009 Aramid 3DL #1 that was starting major delamination half way through the 2013 season. It was used for OD races only in 2009 & 2010, then for beer can races and everyday use after that. The shape was still very good at the end, but many delamination holes.

Thanks Bill, my 3DL experience is similar, My 5 year old 3DL began delaminating in sheets towards the later part of the summer and is now being held together by sail tape. Interestingly all of the sailmakers I talked to said 5 years was the max life for a string sail.

I asked the Quantum rep about their pricing expecting to hear about better quality, shape, durability, etc. But only got an aw shucks I'm not sure why we are so much pricier.

I know Ullman does a bunch of J24 sails but they didn't seem to know the Class J30 sail is a 163%. The Neil Pryde rep said that they have made some J30 sails for boats in NE, so I'm hoping to hear something regarding their product from someone in that area.

Also 3DL 680 Medium #1 from 2011 now at 56 races. Still fast, but it has developed wear holes in the Mylar along the foot and aft of the shrouds and had to be sent to the loft for repair.

Seems around 60 races is the break point when laminated #1s either lose their shape and are relegated to Wednesday nights and cruising or they breakdown to best use as a tarp.

We used a panel type North Kevlar Medium #1 from 2007 for a distance race this weekend in 14-16. At 77 races the material is still holding up but has gone a little soft and does not have as good shape of the newer sail.

Check to be sure the stanchion patches are correctly located or do a sail check before they are added. Some of the wear on my sail might've been avoided if they had been more carefully located.