A sail is not a sail...

Do you plan to race in official Sunfish Class sanctioned events? If so, you need an official LP sail, and it should likely be the race version if you want to compete.

If you plan to just sail on your own or sail in a local club, save the $ and use the race sail from Intensity Sails.
 
tag is spot on. One other caveat. The LP sails will have a "Sunfish" logo on the sail. The intensity sails no longer have the logos (they used to.)
I don't know if this is important to you. Also I think the Intensity sail goes for less than $199. Get a window whatever you do. Avoid the China built sails on e-bay because of sail shape and (lack of) warranty issues.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
 
I bought the regular LP sail for my old Sunfish in WI last May. They were only $250 then. I was tempted by the China sails Alan mentioned that are on Ebay but didn't trust that the cut was the same. I was very happy with the window, logo and full cut along the foot of the official LP sail.
 

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+1 on the Intensity sail if you are not racing and agreed on staying away from China sails. Neighbor bought one and it arrived without grommets. After 30 days of waiting, got a replacement in and it lasted one season before it was "blown out". Not worth the few dollars of savings. Separate topic, but I made the mistake of buying a china made daggerboard and it folded in half in heavy winds. Look for the real thing here.
 
Don't just block all China made sails as junk. Intensity sails are not made in the USA. Neil Pryde sails are not made in the USA. But both have a good reputation of a good sail at low cost. I sold sails that were made here in the USA until the sailmaker raised his prices which made it difficult to compete against the $120 Intensity sails. The sails I sell now in 7 color choices are not made in the USA, but then I could not charge only $150 for them if I did. Even North sails which are the class legal sails are made in Sri Lanka.
 
Fair enough. You are correct that many sails are made offshore. I should have qualified it with a comment to use a supplier that has good feedback and do just what you are doing, in asking this forum participants their feedback.
I have used North and Intensity with great results.
 
I'd like to know the difference between the following sails:
1. LP Race sail ($395)
2. LP Regular sail ($300)
3. Intensity sail ($199)

Does anyone have experience with all of these?

Just Intensity's sale of a few years ago, when I bought two—at $99 each. They were from different manufacturers! :confused:

Three years later, I'm still using the Neal Pryde sail, but except for price, I remain under-impressed. :(

In just opening the second package right now, to find the other (red-white-blue) sail has an Intensity logo (only), but—surprise—it has a window! :) 'Shoulda opened this one first! :oops:

Watch for sales (on sails) during the off-season as we approach "the season".

.
 
Sidebar - My kids bought me a new Intensity red white and blue sail last year and then bought graphics and added to the sail. The graphics are our sail club's logo, which I am "Commode Ore" of. Turned out beautiful, and only have 1 year of use on the sail but it is still close to perfect.
 
So I bought an old, pre-72, Sunfish. I don't know how old the sail is. How can I tell whether the sail is in decent shape?
 
How can I tell whether the sail is in decent shape?

In my opinion for recreational sailing, if it doesn’t have holes, tears or missing grommets it’s good to go. If you care about aesthetics, then fading, dirt and mold spots are considerations too.

If you plan to race then you need a racing sail of a reasonably recent vintage.
 
In my opinion for recreational sailing, if it doesn’t have holes, tears or missing grommets it’s good to go. If you care about aesthetics, then fading, dirt and mold spots are considerations too.

If you plan to race then you need a racing sail of a reasonably recent vintage.
At this stage I'm just learning to sail. Grommets are ok. I patched some holes with sail tape. Power washed the dirt and grime off.
So I'm probably ok for now, and maybe better spend the money on a ratchet block.
 
Agree with Beldar Boathead, but if you wish to take it further, the sail with stiffness vs softness is better. Please don't take this as the be all, end all of sail quality "determinedness" as there are a ton of sail nuances and build methods and even adjustments for heavy wind vs light winds.
 
Yes, a sail is not a sail. I agree that the situation is complex.
The class-legal sails used to come from North and were made in a loft in Sri Lanka. But I don't see the North 'sticker' on the sails sold by LP right now. And the price dropped considerably from that of not so long ago. Coincidence?
Does anyone know where the current class-legal sails are made?


There are other variables in play as well. For instance, the fiber/cloth (polyester) is a variable, as is the cutting process. This, in turn, depends on the number of sails that are being cut simultaneously. Then there is the issue of how carefully the panels are put together, etc.
If others have true 'sailmakers' input, please comment.
 
At this stage I'm just learning to sail. Grommets are ok. I patched some holes with sail tape. Power washed the dirt and grime off.
So I'm probably ok for now, and maybe better spend the money on a ratchet block.

Question: Did you remove the sail from the boom to repair the holes? Having trouble doing that...use a special tool to free the sail from the boom? Pretty tight! Thanks. Keukasail Fred
 
Question: Did you remove the sail from the boom to repair the holes? Having trouble doing that...use a special tool to free the sail from the boom? Pretty tight! Thanks. Keukasail Fred
No. I left it on the booms. What's the tool?
 

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