New Race Sail Availability?

I saw a Portuguese race sail about 2 months back that a club member got with a new boat. However, since then the story I heard is that LP’s Portuguese loft was not able to get any more sailcloth and therefore there weren’t going to be any more racing sails until they get more cloth. That is all I know. The sail on the right is the Portuguese one. I didn’t sail it or see it under sail, but it looked about identical to a North, but I don’t know if that is the case when it’s under sail.
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The new sail has been reviewed, tested, and approved by the class. We don't expect to see the first batch of Class Legal Racing sail here in the US for another couple of months. They will be starting production on them next week.
 
The new sail has been reviewed, tested, and approved by the class. We don't expect to see the first batch of Class Legal Racing sail here in the US for another couple of months. They will be starting production on them next week.
LP seems to have forgotten that the US is their biggest market and that summer is the primary selling season! Wonder how big the first batch of Portuguese sails was? Any idea? I should have asked to try sailing the one at my club - would have been interesting to see how it seemed vs a North.
 
FYI, Shoreline Sailboats has recently acquired a small number of NOS sails that they have pictured on their facebook page. "An opportunity for the Sunfish aficionado to have a class legal sail that no one else has!" Some very unique colors. Log into Facebook.
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Only one straight edge! ;)

For this Facebook-averse member, are they all the same price?
I took a look. They are mostly the recreational cut, and are varying prices, and pretty much all more than a new sail from Laser Performance. Laser Performance is making rec sails these days, but as stated, they are out of stock on racing sails. A couple of the sails being sold on Facebook are racing sails, but they are pricey too. Especially pricey when you realize they are 10-25 years old and certainly sold for much less back then!
 
Sure they are not cheap, but they are brand new, unused, and class legal. The colors are some that you will not find today unless custom made. I bought one and am very happy with it. I do not race, though - I just like Sunfishes in color. Yes, I remember when you could buy a new 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix for $5,800 off the showroom floor.
 
LP seems to have forgotten that the US is their biggest market and that summer is the primary selling season! Wonder how big the first batch of Portuguese sails was? Any idea? I should have asked to try sailing the one at my club - would have been interesting to see how it seemed vs a North.
LP does not understand the markets they support or simple economics of supply and demand.
 
Pandemic. Logistics chain.

I emailed Brent at LP and he suggested The Dinghy Shop. I called them and they are expecting some in a few weeks and offered to put us on a waiting list, if I left a credit card number. Also called Shoreline and got a recording.
 
Clark, that is normal response for Shoreline - Their operation is apparently part time, appointments, etc. I had the same experience but they responded quickly. Email works good.
 
Pandemic. Logistics chain.
They have not been keeping parts in stock for 10 years or so, and for about 2 summers there were no boats! Lasers had the same problem in North America. Lasers solved the problem by revoking LPs license to make class-legal Lasers. Unfortunately LP owns the rights to the Sunfish and we are stuck.
 

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