J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment New Sail

I am getting ready to order a new # 1 for my boat, and am looking at 3 options - UK Gold tape Drive, North 3DL & Quantum Fusion MX Technora.

A couple of questions:

1) What are peoples experience (positve or negative) with these products and or the Annapolis lofts for each manufacturer?
2) The UK & Quantum Quotes are for a 331 SF sail while the North Quote is for a 317 SF sail although each loft is using essentially the same measurements I-34.12/34.19; J-11.5; P-38.0; & E-13. Any idea why the SF would be different?

I have used North 3DL for a while. I believe the Annapolis loft has done the standard North design. You might ask Willy Keyworth at the Annapolis loft about any technical questions.

We've had success in Annapolis with UK for many years and after adjusting to North's tuning guide have been happy with our speed. The UK Gold Tape Drive we bought in 2005 still looks good after 30 races. Note that the North 2007 Kevlar Medium #1 we use is not a 3DL, nor is the New Orleans Benz-Faget-mojo #1. The UK might be a tad heavier and the 3DL probably the lightest. Better Mousetrap is Quantum and always tough to beat. Ignoring that and price too, find a sailmaker that will help you setup your rig tune and then sail with you a couple times a season. It helps if you get along with them, since you and your crew will be spending your leisure time with that person. I've worked with Alan Drew (UK & North) for a long time and have been helped by Scott Allan (UK) and Jonathan Bartlett (North), but there are many more. Take the time to find a person who will work with you to improve your program.

Phil,
I just got a set of Fusion sails ( main & 155% ) late last fall. They definitely improved my boat speed. There is a shot of the new sails on my blog.

http://sailnordicstar.blogspot.com/

Rob

Thanks for the feedback, I ended up going with North, they wrer $500 cheaper than UK, more than $1,000 cheaper than Quantum and are going to provide some help in getting the rig tuned properly when the sail arrives.