Selecting a New Main Sail

After 7 seasons with my original equipment North dacron main, I'm ready for a new one.  Since I don't have a local sail maker, I'm looking far and wide, all of which has confused me thoroughly.  Since I do club races weekly, distance races (65nm +) along with extensive cruising, I want a sail this is performance oriented but one that I can cruise with.  Recommendations have covered the field: dacron cross cut to triradial laminates to carbon to string sails... one even recommended 100% mylar!  Prices ranged from $2500-8500US.

I am interested in your experiences and choices of new, upgraded mains and sail makers.  Feel free to PM me as well.

Thanks all.

Hi SilverSailor,

I've bought a MauriproSailing jib - made of Vectran. I'm very happy with the performance and the dealer service. Don't know about the longevity but they are claiming it to be as good as Dacron but with better shape holding. They are based in the U.S. and might be worth a look,

Thanks all.  I've had the opportunity to talk with many sailmakers and to receive numerous suggestions and quotes.  Along the way I learned that that "offshore sailmaker" that so many speak of in disparaging terms is actually a real place... the China Sail Factory... a very high tech, skilled sailmaker which only serves other sailmakers, not individual consumers.  There's an excellent article about the CSF in a link at www.islandplanetsails.com  I urge you to read it.  Then I found that many of the quotes I received were for sails made by the CSF.  Some, like Mauri pretend that it's their own product.  The sailmaker has the ability to shape the sail.  It completes a multipage form for CSF who, in turn, produce a cadcam drawing of the new sail.  If your sailmaker is straightforward with you, he will share this spec form and the drawing with you.  It's important to go over these before the sailmaker gives CSF the go ahead. I plan on ordering one of their sails for spring delivery through Dave at Island Planet who I have found to be very open, willing to discuss thoroughly how and where I sail and to answer multiple questions (sometimes more than once).  Additionally, his pricing was excellent. Stay tuned....