AFAIK, unlike others, NP has their own factory. I think they even make sails for other brands.

If I paid $1000 for a sail, I'd like to think someone in the factory who knows what they are doing would spend some time cutting the battens to correct length using a purpose built jig and tools, rather then me hoping I didn't stuff it up doing it DIY.

"We'd rather cut them too long than too short"

uh, you mean

"We're stingy bastards, and saved 15 minutes of labour cost by not properly completing the manufacture of this sail in the factory."

For 2017, in the sail bag will be, all the pre cut panels, a sewing needle, some thread and instructions written in Chinese

Mark has read many instructions too carefully

Geez, I can´t believe this is happening with NP... although it´s not a major, catastrophic issue.

The statement "they rather cut them too long than too short" really sounds more like "we had an issue during the manufacturing process". I concur with Harrow... there must have been an issue with tools and/or fixtures in the factory.

Besides, isn´t the threaded batten adjuster (the one he removes prior to cutting) precisely to allow extending the length of the batten if need be?... I think it can extend it up to 15 or even 20 mm... This doesn´t support his statement that they rather cut them a bit longer, as the way it´s conceived with the adjuster, it should be a bit shorter, understanding that by "a bit" he means 5-10 mm.

Anyway, I guess even the big players in this industry make mistakes

I don't floss ..I guess I'm out from buying one.

col5555 said...
For 2017, in the sail bag will be, all the pre cut panels, a sewing needle, some thread and instructions written in Chinese

The IKEA principle

Shifu said..
NP is a strange company. I don't know how they justify their premium prices.

They've managed to do it for over 30 years. People keep buying them, so they must be doing something right. I've never owned a NP sail, what is so special about them?

MrCranky said..

Harrow said...

Shifu said..
NP is a strange company. I don't know how they justify their premium prices.

They've managed to do it for over 30 years. People keep buying them, so they must be doing something right. I've never owned a NP sail, what is so special about them?

Because if you have an NP boom, extension, mast (obviously!), and a hacksaw, everything just works.

Harrow said..
Guys, just download this off the NP international website:

"It has come to our attention that some customers have reported not being able to get enough downhaul on their new NP sails. This is not a manufacturing fault, as during the design process, we decided it was better to have the luff too long, rather than too short. If you are unable to achieve sufficient downhaul, all you need do is cut the top of the luff tube off with some household scissors, and then sew it shut with some strong thread - we recommend a length of left over dental floss for this procedure."

whatever happened to a bit more extension?

OMG straight thru to the keeper with Harrow's joke

He forgot to tape it.

Seriously though? The customer needs to cut the batten?