Quantum Sails Testimonial

Quantum Sails testimonial

Summary

1- Sail to slide attachments were of very poor quality. (Made out of plastic). Within a week most were broken.
2- Dacron used was of very poor quality. Within 3 1/2 years of use the material was down to paper strength in many places.
3- Workmanship excellent. Triple stitched, solid patches.
4- Sail shape excellent.
5- Due to point # 2 would definitely not recommend this brand, as the life expectancy of the sails is very poor.

Discussion

While in South Africa I decided to get a new main for my old one was a bit tired (10 years old). I chose Quantum Sails for 2 reasons: It’s a world wide company (So expected a high quality standard) and the price was competitive.
I ordered it in Richards Bay to be made at the sail loft in Cape Tojkwn. The idea was for me to pick it up when I reached Cape Town. As it turned out received the sail in Simons Town (December 2001).
The sail looked very good with two full battens at the top. Nice shape, very strongly built. Good workmanship. Was impressed. At this point noticed 3 “runs” in the Dacron. (Problems in the material). Due to time decided I would patch them further along. Also noticed that the Dacron was very heavy on the resin. Had never had such a stiff sail.
As my old main still had useful life in it I stored the new Quantum Sail in the bow and sailed on to Brazil.
When in Chile decided that my old main had had enough, so I changed it for the new Quantun Sail in preparation for my passage to French Polynesia (4500 Nm). Departed from Chile in April 2004, on my third circumnavigation in Bebinka a Seawind 30.
WITHIN DAYS THE SAIL TO SLIDE ATTACHMENTS STARTED POPING ONE AFTER THE OTHER. Talk about cheap hardware made out of plastic. Fortunately had stainless steel wire to make temporary repairs at sea. Within a week only a couple of original fittings were still OK. Eventually had new attachments made when in the islands. End of that problem.
The Dacron used for the main was very stiff, heavy on the resin. With time it became softer primarily around the reinforcement patches. Then after only 3 1/2 years tore the sail for the first time when folding it on the boom. Its as if the material had fatigued over time loosing all its strength.
HOW CAN IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE QUANTUM SAIL DACRON LOST ALL ITS STRENGHT AFTER ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS ???? ON AVERAGE I GET ABOUT AN 11 YEAR LIFE OUT OF A MAIN.
I take good care of my sails covering them up when not in use, so its not a UV problem. My only conclusion is that VERY POOR QUALITY DACRON WAS USED.
I am in the Philippines at present. My Quantum main is 4 years old now. Material strength has gone from paper strength to toilet paper strength. The main is definitely no longer fit for a passage.

Very disappointing to say the least. Getting quotes on a new main sail.

Alan Hoeneisen
Yacht “Bebinka”
May 2008

UPDATE:

Hoist the main when at anchor. Just in case its blowing outside decide to put in a reef. The fold falls to port so I push it over the boom to starboard, only to my great surprise my hand goes right threw the sail. When I look at the sail, with the sun behind it, can see rays of light coming threw all over the place. Each ray is a new failure point. When the sail goes its not a clean tear, the material kind of shreds.

What does Quantum Sails say about this? I have no idea, for up to date they have not bothered to answer any of the numerous e-mails I sent them. They just don't want to know. I may not be an expert on dacron, but do know a lot about 3rd rate material. The material used by Quantun is Junk. They have a major problem.

PS Talk about a small world. In Borneo anchor next to Salland, a Belgium yacht that just happened to also have Quantum sails manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa. His jib had the same problems as my main sail. According to Michel it was 3 years old . Wonder how long till his main falls apart.

APRIL 29, 2011 FINALLY GET A REPLY FROM QUANTUM SAILS SOUTH AFRICA

RE: quantumsails problemFriday, April 29, 2011 6:09 AM
From: "Craig Middleton" <craig@quantumsails.co.za>View contact details
To: "'Alan Hoeneisen'" <bebinka72@yahoo.com>
Cc: tracker@noonsite.com
Dear Mr. Hoeneisen,
I am in receipt of your email dated April 29th.
I have to advise that I find your email extremely rude,distasteful and
consequently refuse to compliment same with a reply.
I have never met you nor communicated with you in the past and if this is an
example of your communication, this will be my final word.
If however, you would like to address me in a more polite manner in the
future, I may consider a reply.
Craig Middleton

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Hoeneisen [mailto:bebinka72@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 2:24 PM
To: craig@quantumsails.co.za
Cc: tracker@noonsite.com; bebinka72@yahoo.com
Subject: quantumsails problem

HI CRAIG
JUST BECAME AWARE OF YOUR POSTING AT WWW.NOONSITE.COM IN RESPONSE TO MY
POSTING OF 15/OCT/2008. BRAVO, FINALLY AFTER ALL THIS TIME, A REACTION FROM
QUANTUM SAILS, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. MY COMMENTS ON YOUR POSTING:

Posted 10th January 2011
HOW CONVENIENT. YOU WAITED UNTILL SHORTLY AFTER MY DEPARTURE FROM SOUTH
AFRICA TO POST YOUR STATEMENT. AS YOU WELL KNOW SAILED THREW SOUTH AFRICA
IN 2010. CLEARED IN AT DURBAN (5/OCT/2010 ) CLEARING OUT OF SIMONS TOWN
(18/DEC/2010) .

Response from Craig Middleton (email craig@quantumsails.co.za ) of Quantum
Sails, Cape Town, South Africa

I refer to the publication by "Alan Hoeneisen" on the above subject posted
2008-10-15 and would like to comment as follows:

(1) Quantum Sails South Africa imports sail fabrics (in this instance
dacron)from either the United States or Europe. We do not utilize any
fabrics from the East. The sail luff slides are also imported from the
U.S.A.
I STAND BY MY STATEMENT: THE DACRON YOU USE IS JUNK. THE SAIL SLIDE TO SAIL
ATTACHMENTS ARE JUNK. SEE PHOTO

(2) As clearly stated by Mr. Hoeneisen, the workmanship and shape of the
sail was "excellent", hence pointing to the fabric as the problem.
I AGREE. THE PROBLEM IS: YOU USE CHEAP CLOTH AND HARDWARE.

(3) In past instances of this nature, if the Dacron is proven to be
defective, we send the defective samples back to the fabric supplier
concerned and accordingly replace the sail at no cost to the customer
whatsoever.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT, YOU JUST IGNORE
THE CUSTOMER. THE "AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER" CONTRADICS THE STATEMENT MADE
BY JOHAN BOTHA IN RESPONSE TO MY TESTIMONIAL. JOHAN'S STATATEMENT READS: A
friend of mine Gilbert Goor had the same bad experience from the same sail
manufacturer. His sail did not even last 2 years. He did go and see them
personally and they promised him 50% discount on the next sail he buy from
them. (If he ever will buy another sail from them).
Johan Botha

(4) Quantum Sails Cape Town is unable to trace any of the "numerous" emails
sent by Mr. Hoeneisen in this connection. Perhaps he could copy me on these
emails and I can take the necessary action to rectify the problem?
SENDING MY E-MAILS TO THE RECYCLE BIN IS NO EXCUSE. WHEN BACK IN DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICA IN 2010 TRIED TO HAVE YOUR DURBAN PEOPLE GO SEE ME AT THE BLUFF
YACHT CLUB. AS ONCE MORE NOTHING HAPPENED, TRIED SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN IN
KNYSNA, WHERE I AM WELL KNOWN FOR NUMBER OF YEARS. THERE HAD FRIENDS
PERSONALLY RATLE YOUR CAGE TO TRY AND GET A REACTION FROM YOU. NOTHING...
INSTEAD OF GETTING IN CONTACT WITH ME, YOU WAITED TILL I DEPARTED SOUTH
AFRICA TO POST YOUR STATEMENT. HOW CONVENIENT.

Similarly, his friend "Gilbert Goor" should make contact with us if he
experiences similar problems.
MR GILBERT GOOR IS NO FRIEND OF MINE. HE IS JUST SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAD THE
SAME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR SAILS. IN YOUR STATEMENT FORGOT TO COMMENT ON
MICHEL'S SAILS (YACHT SALLAND). HE ALSO HAD SAME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR SAILS.
(SEE PHOTOS I TOOK)

Thanks and cheers
Craig Middleton
Quantum Sails Cape Town South Africa

PS THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT DOES NOT PAY TO CUT CORNERS. THE WORD
SPREADS. I HAVE MADE SURE OF THAT. AM IN URUGUAY AT PRESENT, SAILING TO
BRASIL SHORTLY. IN DUE COURCE WILL UPDATE MY QUANTUM TESTIMONIAL WITH ADDED
PHOTOS, VIDEO AND COMMENTS. HAVE A NICE DAY. ALAN HOENEISEN