J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment New chute - price check

I'm finally buying a new chute this year. Plan to buy from the local Quantum guy in Charleston - he's right down the street and has a lot of J/30 experience.

He has quoted me $2,497 for their AirX runner chute (they have a cheaper one with a lesser fabric but plan on getting the good stuff).

I've not checked prices with other lofts, but hoping the list could give me a reality check on this price before I pull the trigger.

Does the price seem fair? Any reason I shouldn't go with the Quantum chute? I plan to buy the rest of the sails next year, also from Quantum.

Thanks - Dan

Dan - shop around. I got a quote from North Sails in Oct at $2,295 plus an additional 15% discount for a boat show sale. I think you can do better on the price you have quoted. North has a fabric they call Norlon that I've had good experiences with. AirX is also a good fabric.

what weight AirX? Is "runner" their version of an AP? and do you do W/L a lot or other.

Ask them what the Miami boat show discount is going to be. that should cause him to blink.

Then mention that North always has a "trade" in deal nearly every year at 25% off.

You only pay list if they deliver fast in the middle of July for a National.

I'm thinking $2k max.

Shape - well, I've got another decent chute which I can carry pretty high, so the idea was to get a runner type cut to compliment that (although I might go with an AP instead).

Weight - its Bainbridge AirX 650N, which is what he recommended; from their site: "Specifically designed for classes with a 40gsm minimum weight rule, AIRX-650N has already proven to be a winning fabric in classes such as Melges 24, Soling, J24 and J22."

Boat show discount - good idea. I also just requested a quote from North.

Do what Vic did. Invite another J/30 owner with a fresh spinnaker (North AirX 650)to sail. And ask them to bring the spinnaker..

I should add: almost all the racing we do is offshore, point-to-point.

I agree shop around. My North Airx 600 cost $2451 with a 25% discount= $1839. BTW Airx is great cloth very happy with it.

John - how did you get the discount? Was this a boatshow thing or did you just ask?

My North loft does fall pricing. Boat show dicounts are usually 15% like Bill stated.

Just checked and it was October pricing 15% plus 5% to pay by the end of the year =$1961. So 20% Never hurts to ask good luck

Same story as above for a North Code 2S AirX 650 class kite with fall boat show prices. That said, if you like your local sailmaker negotiate or be willing to pay more. Their support, aid, and assistance may justify the additional cost.