Recommended Service Providers
Sails
I have never purchased any sails other than Hood for my entire sailing career. Whilst I have finished up on boats with other sails, and have sailed extensively with North Sails, UK, Tasker and others, for me Hood have always exceeded my expectation in longevity, shape and price. Mind you, we also look after them! Never step on them, fold them differently every time, wash and dry them from time to time and never ever flog them. Some of my mainsails have done three or four seasons, unheard of in the top levels when 38 hours is the norm.
http://www.hoodaustralia.com.au/
Wet Weather Gear
I have insufficient expertise to discuss the relative merits or demerits of wet weather gear, but I am often approached by students who just want cheap, reasonable quality wet weather gear for which they don't want to pay thousands of dollars. I paid a few hundred.
I can only say that I purchased a set of Breathable Wet weather gear which is imported from China by a yachtie. It is certainly not of the quality of my old Henry Lloyd, but hey, it has done about 20,000 miles and three Hobart Races, so based on dollars spent, it is a great deal.
Westcoaster 997 95777 Unit 19/1 Jubilee Ave Warriewood. .
SHOES
Most students are told to buy some cheap Volleys for deck footwear. Apart from looking terrible, they provide no protection and after a few weeks, they stink. Sperry has been the provider of deck shoes, boat shoes and fashion marine footwear for over fifty years. At DFO in Homebush Sydney, there is a Sperry surplus shop which sells boat shoes for about $50 per pair. Sometimes there are limited choices but worth the investment as they can be worn anywhere. They have black ones too if you are working on a boat in uniform. "Rivers" also sell similar footwear over the net.
PULLEYS, BLOCKS AND DECK GEAR
After recently refitting a boat, we found the costs of local fitting having the disadvantage of a wholesale retail structure. Net result, too expensive. Here is a great alternative, but remember, keep purchases to less than $1000 to avoid GST whilst that loophole exists.
http://www.mauriprosailing.com/