New Main Sail

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richie30's picture
richie30
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Joined: 12/12/07
Posts: 168
New Main Sail

Looking at the possibility of a new main sail for our 1998 Catalina 36 MK 11. We are not racers, strictly cruisers, and retired so not wanting to break the bank, any recommendations? Also, has anyone tried the easy track system that attaches to the mast for ease of raising and lowering the main? Thanks a lot, Rich

Rich

Richard & Joan Bain
PAZZO Hull#1670
1997 Catalina 36 MK11
Bayfield, Ontario

My Day Job Below
www.richardbain.com
www.bineapress.com

Peter Taylor's picture
Peter Taylor
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Joined: 7/10/08
Posts: 107

I'm sure you'll get many suggestions but look at National Sails Supply. I've been very happy with price, quality and support. 

Peter Taylor Melbourne Australia. Altair  #2227 2005 C36 Mk11

richie30's picture
richie30
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Joined: 12/12/07
Posts: 168

Thanks Peter!
I'll check them out.
 

Rich

Richard & Joan Bain
PAZZO Hull#1670
1997 Catalina 36 MK11
Bayfield, Ontario

My Day Job Below
www.richardbain.com
www.bineapress.com

Catboat Willy's picture
Catboat Willy
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Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 387

Richard;
Just a few thoughts; First, the TIDES sail track is a device that is placed in to the sail track slot in the mast and makes raising and lowering the sail MUCH easier. We have one and I would not be without it. Added years to our sailing life. You will have to add cars to the sail but well worth the money and effort. Reference; ​
https://www.tidesmarine.com/sailtrack/intst_overview.php 
Sails . if you are looking to buy used, then National Supply is a good place to start or you can look in the 'classified' section and find some one who is parting out a similar boat.
Bill

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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Chachere
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Joined: 10/27/10
Posts: 826

Ditto to Bill's recommendation of the Tides sail track.  Between that and the Dutchman system, our main is much easier to deal with.
As to replacement, I recall Tech Editor Chic Lasser is the rep for one of the sailmakers.   You might try contacting him; there's a link for him on the officers' page....

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

Ray Taylor's picture
Ray Taylor
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Joined: 9/11/19
Posts: 81

We replaced the original Main and Genoa last year and went with National Sails.   Our last 2 boats used North Sails, but I started looking around after disappointing customer service.  
I ended up ordering a custom sail instead of the standard Catalina 36 sail.   That said the price was less than half of North and Ballard sails.   

The sails are nicely made and the detail work (leather patches, ect.) is better than North.    

The main has double reef points and custom locations and I chose not to have sail numbers or the Catalina logo, but they are available.   

Shipping was to my door within the quoted time.   

I attached a couple photos of the old and new main.   Our old main is slowly becoming grocery shopping bags that we give to friends.

Good luck with your choice.   

Ray

Ray & Janice Taylor
"Mizu"
Hood River, Ore.
#2113 2002 TM
 

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billta
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Joined: 6/13/08
Posts: 32

Do contact Chic Lasser.  He is the rep for Mack Sails.  I purchased a new jenoa in May and he was extremely helpful.  Mack has a flaking system too that had I needed it I would have definitely checked it out.  Prices were very competitive and the service was great.  Chic helped get my sail delived to my front door in a short time frame to enable us to go on our trip.  The quality of the sail is very very good!   Quality material and workmanship.   Should have ordered a main too, but will do so in the next year or two.   Chic is listed in our directory.

 Bill Taylor
#1612 Standard rig
Washington, NC
 

Bill Taylor
Heel'n Good #1612
Washington, NC

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dpower
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Joined: 6/20/08
Posts: 237

We replaced both sails on our '98 MK II this past fall and went through Chic Lasser and Mack Sails.  Chic was very attentive to our needs and we spent a lot of time on the phone to discuss the type of sailing we do, where, and what our options were.  We also spent time talking with Doyle.  In addition to the sails, we went with the Tides sail track.  Unbelievably easier.  Finally, we added the Mack Pack system.  Some of the issues we considered were 1)  Mack sails are made in Florida, while Doyle are made off shore;  2) The  Mack headsail was bias cut vs a slab cut on the Doyle; 3) Mack used a premium sail cloth as standard, which would have been extra with Doyle: and 4) cost.  Chic offers a discount for 36 Owners and the more you buy Mack offers additional savings.  In the end, The Mack sails were substantially less expensive than with Doyle.  I have been told that folks like National use a cheaper sail cloth that is not as durable and not as well stitched and also made off shore.  I believe, with  sails, you do get wht you pay for.  It depends on how you sail and how long you plan to keep your boat.  The performance of our boat with new sails in speed and pointing ability is beyond what we expected.  Give Chic a call.  If you want to discuss this more, contact me outside of the forum.

David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL

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dlincoln3
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Joined: 4/24/16
Posts: 144

I replaced my main 2 seasons ago with one from a local sailmaker here in Michigan, Kent Sails.  Thrilled with the result.  The Dutchman system seems to be a love-it or hate-it system.  I for one hate it.  I could never get it "right", I was constantly adjusting it to try to get the lines in the right position, and by the time I got it tweaked to where I was happy with it, the season was over and I would repeat the process the next year.  I went with a stack pack system with lazy jacks, and that is 1000x beter in my opinion.  I also installed the Tides system, and it has made all the difference when it comes to raising and lowering.  Highly recommend.
 

Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

Pgutierrez's picture
Pgutierrez
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Joined: 5/14/12
Posts: 231

I have the roller track system on my mast. It is wonderful.  Raising main sail is like cutting  through butter with a hard knife.   Ditch de Dutchman.  POA!   Before we put away the main, we drop the first 3 feet and put in the first reef.   This is of course the biggest of the folds, and then you can easily drop rest, alternating sides.  The benefit is also that next time you come out to Saul and have high winds, the first reef is in.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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