APS now selling practice sails

tag

tag

my2fish
I just got my 2010 catalog from APS, and noticed that they are now offering a white race training sail ($148) and some recreational sails ($140), both with windows. Neither of them are class-legal, so it's now another lower-cost option for a new sail. I didn't see them available online yet, though.

A few other options for low-cost, non-class-legal Sunfish sails:

  • Intensity Sails – $149.99 for a race style practice sail (white only, includes the window, ~$10 shipping)
  • Neil Pryde Sails – $140 for a recreational sail (many color combos to choose from, $15 shipping, $25 to add a window)
  • The Sail Store – varies, about $149 minimum (a couple different color options, $20 to add a window, ?? shipping) - they also sell the Jolly Roger version, for any pirates out there...
cheers,
tag
 
I wonder whether APS made a deal with Intensity Sails. In other words, whether the (3.8 oz Dacron) 'practice' sails sold by APS are made in the same loft as the (3.8 oz Dacron) ones distributed by IntensitySails.com.
 
wavedancer, good thought.

the APS magazine shows them with Sunfish logos, so I'm wondering if the Class has given the blessing to use the logo, and maybe all of the approved Sunfish suppliers will now have the option to sell the practice race and recreational sails (WITH logos), and some of the current discount places can continue to sell their sails (WITHOUT logos).

I had emailed Jim at Intensity Sails in August 2009, and he told me that his current inventory had the logos, but future production runs would NOT have the Sunfish logo. and haven't the latest Neil Pryde sails been without logos, too?

interesting, huh?!

tag
 
tag said:
I'm wondering if the Class has given the blessing to use the logo ... interesting, huh?!
Click to expand...
Nope, Just Business.

The logo is a trademark owned by Laser Performance. As the small print says...

All rights reserved. ©2009 LaserPerformance.
LaserPerformance and associated logos are
trademarks. Laser, SB3, Sunfish, and Dart are
trademarks used under license. LaserPerformance
reserves the right to make design and/or specification
changes to any of their products as part of
their continuous development program.
Click to expand...

Good bet LP just got around to firing up their legal dept to send out Cease & Desist letters.

In all likelihood, Intensity and Neil Pryde either have not been granted a further option to purchase a license or do not wish to add the extra expense to their cost.

I somehow doubt the Class has much to say in the matter either, they too would be a licensee.

.
 
good catch, Wayne. I had been thinking the Class had the rights to the trademark.

tag
 
tag said:
good catch, Wayne. I had been thinking the Class had the rights to the trademark.
Click to expand...
Ahhh..., were it only so, but remember, AMF originally formed the Class shortly after purchasing Alcort. The Class didn't go independent until 17 years later when AMF was dissolved by hostile takeover. The trademarks followed the money to the new builder.

.
 
Correct - looks like LP's legal department has finally gotten around to the aftermarket logo situation.

No more trademark Sunfish logos are being allowed on any of the Neil Pryde or similar aftermarket Sunfish sail manufacturers.

Some of the logo-less Neil Pryde Sunfish sails are starting to show up on EBay...
 
So soon you have to pay about an extra $100 to select North Sails distributors if you want logo on your sail?
 
LP's normal Sunfish OEM sails come with the usual Sunfish logo, and will continue to do so.

For some reason, both LP, and previous own Vanguard, have allowed the non-OEM, or aftermarket, sail manufacturers use the logo. That practice has now stopped.

LP OEM sails are about $315, while the aftermarket sails (Neil Pryde, etc.) are in the $150 range. I'm surprised this went on so long.

The problem is acerbated by the fact the Vanguard (LP just bought them out a year or two ago) only came out with a new sail color combinations about once every 5 years . And the present LP selection is still pretty boring in my mind.

Someone said somewhere recently that you can use a piece of mypar, or something like that, and make your own logo. Then glue or stitch it on an aftermarket sail. I think it was in one of Wayne's posts.
 
That's a good idea, makes me think of a modified Sunfish logo...maybe a fish logo with razor sharp teeth or something fun like that.

Does anyone have any reviews on the intensity mock-race sail window placement? I think I'd like the more powerful sail with a window.
 
gsr977 said:
Does anyone have any reviews on the intensity mock-race sail window placement? I think I'd like the more powerful sail with a window.
Click to expand...

SailFast13, a young Laser & Sunfish sailor (and blogger) from the Bahamas did a video review (can also see it at Intensity Sails website):

I don't have personal experience with the sail (yet), but I agree the more powerful sail is appealing.

cheers,
tag
 
gsr977 said:
So soon you have to pay about an extra $100 to select North Sails distributors if you want logo on your sail?
Click to expand...
Actually..., you can't buy an OEM Sunfish Sail direct from North. True, they make the sail, but only Sunfish dealers are allowed to sell them. OEM pricing..., well that's another "just business" sorta thing.

In the mean time sit back and watch the market seek it's own level.


PBA said:
Someone said somewhere recently that you can use a piece of mylar, or something like that, and make your own logo. Then glue or stitch it on an aftermarket sail. I think it was in one of Wayne's posts.
Click to expand...

You can buy "Insignia Cloth" in 10", 14" and 18' wide tape or by the 54" wide yard. It's adhesive backed sail cloth, like sail repair tape. I can quickly Google this up at Sailrite in 4.2 oz..., which is a bit heavy (full sailcloth weight), but I've also seen it in very light weights, similar to the fabric weight of sail numbers.


http://www.sailrite.com/Insignia-Adhesive-Backed-UV-Dacron-18

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I ordered one yesterday on line even though not shown on site yet. Type in part # in search window and it will come up. Use the first part number listed in catalog, the 2nd one won't work. You have option for 2 different colors, but 3 week delivery time.
 
ajleger said:
I ordered one yesterday on line even though not shown on site yet. Type in part # in search window and it will come up. Use the first part number listed in catalog, the 2nd one won't work. You have option for 2 different colors, but 3 week delivery time.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I talked with APS on the phone last week - the part number hadn't been added online yet, but the guy I talked to said he'd talk to the guy in charge of that... apparently they got it taken care of. He also told me they were about 3 weeks out on getting any of the practice sails in stock.

I ordered the sail and some other parts, and UPS tracking says it will be here tomorrow, but I doubt the sail will be in the shipment. If it is, I'll let you know!

cheers,
tag
 
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