Rich,

Last spring you wrote, “I’d be interested in comparing price.” I just
got a quote from a local sail maker in St. Augustine
(http://www.irishsaillady.com) for a new set for Silverheels. It seems to be
very reasonable compared to most of the others I’ve seen in this forum.
We have yet to settle details of genoa clew height, precise sailcloth
weights and fabrics (although they use only US cloth and thread), and so
on. Here is the quote:

$2,300 Mainsail, 2 reefs, fully-battened
2,450 Genoa, 135-140%, foam luff, sun cover
800 Mizzen, fully-battened, 1 reef point
??? Staysail, to be measured and priced

I’m now reading the “sails” section of the Practical Sailor book you
recommended, free online up to a point (click
<http://books.google.com/books?id=ptKNLpQ2qrgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=pr
actical+sailor+guide+to+sailing+gear&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jbirT-W2N6aw2QX4odDoC
Q&ved=0CFYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=practical%20sailor%20guide%20to%20sailing%
20gear&f=false> here).
As always, I’m amazed at how much I don’t know.

Would appreciate input regarding a staysail. I added Silverheels’ inner
forestay myself and have been flying a beautiful, high-cut, hank-on
yankee that came with the boat, apparently original, intended as a #3 or
#4 jib and never used. Unfortunately it’s too small to be really
effective as a staysail, so if I spring for a new set of sails, I’ll
spring for a proper staysail, too. (Bob Fine, please tell me about your
staysail – dimensions, weight, clew height, etc. Got photos?)

Tor