Looking at AUS retailer's websites, there seems to be very little supply of new boards and sails currently, unless you're a Fanatic, Goya or Duotone devotee. Anyone concerned? What's the reason? Covid hangover with production? or Covid hangover with lack of demand here?
Hope it's not going the same way as the auto manufacturers where they have realised that they can make more money by manufacturing to order rather than just producing and sending out stock. Auto industry insiders say that supply shortages are over and there never was a shipping crisis ,cars are all now shipped on special ships and Hyundai owns their own ships but their still claiming shipping problems, looks like the days of cheap cars are over and high prices and long wait times are here to stay. Other businesses could be jumping on this new method as well.
Covid realted issues with factory staffing and through the entire supply chain for materials. Manufacturers have not been able to meet demand so will take time to catch up.
Same in the UK I think. Lack of raw materials to build stuff, then shipping log jams. With China going back into lockdown again in some area, this might have a continued knock on affect.
I wonder what it would cost to get a custom sail made in AUS. Probably couldn't jump over the price and would make new prices seem reasonable . A lot of labour involved in making a sail.
I feel your pain Whippy . I know you like a V8 . I don't think anyone in Aus makes sails . You could try firing up NS . My beloved NP V8 9.4 is , how can I say , flogged out . The battens look like the protruding ribs of a dead cow in the desert . It's had two major repairs and is more sail tape than sail . It's comfy like a doona and still gets me going faster than I should . Apparently Australian stockists won't import a 9.4 , only on order . 6 to 9 months ,..........WTF !
Ive got a near new DoubleTone S type , ( thin luff pocket 3 cam ) , to replace it when it blows up , but I know I won't love it as much .
Thinking of selling it and paying the bul**** price of a new NP V8 and just waiting ???
The last time I seen a second hand NP V8 9.4 for sale was never , ever .
ps , anyone with a decent NP V8 9.4 for sale .....call me .
Yeah, iCat, my 7.7 has got tape on it, and being my most used sail, I desperately need a new one soon. Want a new '21 or '22, but none in AUS at the moment, Reg said he had one coming mid-April but but won't reply with an update, so I assume I won't see it before new year. Worth the wait I guess, nothing compares to a NP V8 
Unfortunately they are a fragile sail . But so sexy . High maintenance like a fast woman and a slow racehorse.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..
Yes, they make me warm and fuzzy between sailing sessions.
Between sailing sessions ?
Never tried them that way .
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..Orange Whip said..
Yes, they make me warm and fuzzy between sailing sessions.
Between sailing sessions ?
Never tried them that way .
Yeah mate, I get my monies worth out of mine. Wash with fresh water after use, mind you.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..
I wonder what it would cost to get a custom sail made in AUS. Probably couldn't jump over the price and would make new prices seem reasonable . A lot of labour involved in making a sail.
I used to work at a local sailboard sailmaker many years ago, The material isn't an issue, it's all the plastic bits and pieces that go into a sail now which are difficult to source. I guess 3D printing could make a lot now but you still need a the tapes and webbing. Then a lazer cutter to accurately cut the panels prior to gluing together before sewing. All doable but probably 8 hrs labour plus materials so the cost is getting up there. We couldn't compete with China and their low labour rates.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..Imax1 said..Orange Whip said..
Yes, they make me warm and fuzzy between sailing sessions.
Between sailing sessions ?
Never tried them that way .
Yeah mate, I get my monies worth out of mine. Wash with fresh water after use, mind you.
Your so romantic . I treat mine like a two bob whore , ( only on the water ) , Never get a wash . And they still love me .
Select to expand quoteairsail said..Orange Whip said..
I wonder what it would cost to get a custom sail made in AUS. Probably couldn't jump over the price and would make new prices seem reasonable . A lot of labour involved in making a sail.
I used to work at a local sailboard sailmaker many years ago, The material isn't an issue, it's all the plastic bits and pieces that go into a sail now which are difficult to source. I guess 3D printing could make a lot now but you still need a the tapes and webbing. Then a lazer cutter to accurately cut the panels prior to gluing together before sewing. All doable but probably 8 hrs labour plus materials so the cost is getting up there. We couldn't compete with China and their low labour rates.
Well, the biggest factor before any of that is whether they know how to make one. I.e. I reckon there's a bit of knowledge of WS sails design needed to contemplate it, considering sail makers in AUS would be making sails for boating? They would have to deconstruct an existing sail to know where to start?
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
^^^ I think you just upset a few people who make WS sails in Oz 
who?
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
I feel your pain Whippy . I know you like a V8 . I don't think anyone in Aus makes sails . You could try firing up NS . My beloved NP V8 9.4 is , how can I say , flogged out . The battens look like the protruding ribs of a dead cow in the desert . It's had two major repairs and is more sail tape than sail . It's comfy like a doona and still gets me going faster than I should . Apparently Australian stockists won't import a 9.4 , only on order . 6 to 9 months ,..........WTF !
Ive got a near new DoubleTone S type , ( thin luff pocket 3 cam ) , to replace it when it blows up , but I know I won't love it as much .
Thinking of selling it and paying the bul**** price of a new NP V8 and just waiting ???
The last time I seen a second hand NP V8 9.4 for sale was never , ever .
ps , anyone with a decent NP V8 9.4 for sale .....call me .
Seriously? What do you think team riders & guys that turn up with vans full of new kit go through each year., if you're lucky you get a little pre-release info but just order & wait. Just ask your shop when orders close by then just order & look forward to when new sail arrives.
Barracouta Sails in Sydney make windsurfing sails, latest Raceboard nationals was won by Nathan Clift using latest design from Barracouta.
Select to expand quotemkseven said..Imax1 said..
I feel your pain Whippy . I know you like a V8 . I don't think anyone in Aus makes sails . You could try firing up NS . My beloved NP V8 9.4 is , how can I say , flogged out . The battens look like the protruding ribs of a dead cow in the desert . It's had two major repairs and is more sail tape than sail . It's comfy like a doona and still gets me going faster than I should . Apparently Australian stockists won't import a 9.4 , only on order . 6 to 9 months ,..........WTF !
Ive got a near new DoubleTone S type , ( thin luff pocket 3 cam ) , to replace it when it blows up , but I know I won't love it as much .
Thinking of selling it and paying the bul**** price of a new NP V8 and just waiting ???
The last time I seen a second hand NP V8 9.4 for sale was never , ever .
ps , anyone with a decent NP V8 9.4 for sale .....call me .
Seriously? What do you think team riders & guys that turn up with vans full of new kit go through each year., if you're lucky you get a little pre-release info but just order & wait. Just ask your shop when orders close by then just order & look forward to when new sail arrives.
Ditto, I've never bought a slalom sail from stock in a shop. I've always pre-ordered from promotional info and waited for delivery.
Select to expand quotesheddweller said..Mark _australia said..
^^^ I think you just upset a few people who make WS sails in Oz
who?
KA
Severne
Possibly numerous repairers who can make whole sails (Jesper?)
Pro sailors using aussie designed (and protos made here by hand) that have taken on the world.
^ ben severne made my son a 2.6m sail.... even signed it... made my son a severne fan for life..
Interestingly Ben first started with Amac at KA . Great to see that both are still around and making sails
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..sheddweller said..Mark _australia said..
^^^ I think you just upset a few people who make WS sails in Oz
who?
KA
Severne
Possibly numerous repairers who can make whole sails (Jesper?)
Pro sailors using aussie designed (and protos made here by hand) that have taken on the world.
So KA and Severne sails are both custom sail makers and make their sails in Australia?
Select to expand quotemkseven said..Imax1 said..
Seriously? What do you think team riders & guys that turn up with vans full of new kit go through each year., if you're lucky you get a little pre-release info but just order & wait. Just ask your shop when orders close by then just order & look forward to when new sail arrives.
Sure, but there was a time when your average weekend free rider could count on an Aussie retailer having stock of sails on the shelf.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..mkseven said..Imax1 said..
Seriously? What do you think team riders & guys that turn up with vans full of new kit go through each year., if you're lucky you get a little pre-release info but just order & wait. Just ask your shop when orders close by then just order & look forward to when new sail arrives.
Sure, but there was a time when your average weekend free rider could count on an Aussie retailer having stock of sails on the shelf.
There was a time you could walk into a new car dealer.... and they had cars too! Not around here at the moment!
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..Mark _australia said..sheddweller said..Mark _australia said..
^^^ I think you just upset a few people who make WS sails in Oz
who?
KA
Severne
Possibly numerous repairers who can make whole sails (Jesper?)
Pro sailors using aussie designed (and protos made here by hand) that have taken on the world.
So KA and Severne sails are both custom sail makers and make their sails in Australia?
Hmmm KA and Serverne maybe not currently making custom sails for the market in Australia ,but have developed sails for the market here in Aus for many decades .So the skills are definately here to produce and make sails .
One sailmaker here in Mandurah has produce some custom sails in recent times ,Avalon sails .
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Avalon-Sails-XTR-7-0?page=1
Select to expand quotecald said..Orange Whip said..mkseven said..Imax1 said..
Seriously? What do you think team riders & guys that turn up with vans full of new kit go through each year., if you're lucky you get a little pre-release info but just order & wait. Just ask your shop when orders close by then just order & look forward to when new sail arrives.
Sure, but there was a time when your average weekend free rider could count on an Aussie retailer having stock of sails on the shelf.
There was a time you could walk into a new car dealer.... and they had cars too! Not around here at the moment!
True **** hey, wasn't aware, I only buy old collector cars, the new ones are ****.
