Just wondering if there's any development on an Australian distributor for Loft Sails? Don't quote me on it but I understand Patrik D was investigating the possibility of being the importer but that was some time ago now.

Kmart.

Brian, I been asking around so far nothing is certain things are still up in the air.

I'd love to buy my sails at Aldi

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Haggar said..

I'd love to buy my sails at Aldi

Got my helmet there $24.99, well pleased

You all have it wrong they use to sell Lofts at Best for Less.

If enough people got together and put together a pick list, I wonder if a factory direct group order be possible?

Anyone want to ask Monty?

I think everyone gonna get a shock with the prices.

Maybe Mark, Bud had a pretty sharp pencil, certainly gave me some great deals !

loft went to same price as pryde this year in europe, last year they were much cheaper- has nothing to do with bud or monty. Good luck with warranty to whoever brings them in, if you were just dealing with sails it would be an ok brand for a shop to distribute. Not bashing the brand, I have 9 of the 2013's so I was pretty impressed with their race & wave sails.

If enough people got together & pooled their funds loft will sell you a container of gear.

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mkseven said...
loft went to same price as pryde this year in europe, last year they were much cheaper- has nothing to do with bud or monty. Good luck with warranty to whoever brings them in, if you were just dealing with sails it would be an ok brand for a shop to distribute. Not bashing the brand, I have 9 of the 2013's so I was pretty impressed with their race & wave sails.

If enough people got together & pooled their funds loft will sell you a container of gear.

Dam Mark. A significant price rise would have a huge impact on the brand in OZ. I love the sail range especially on RDM and the value for money has made these sails very accessable for the average sailor.

you guys might want to have a look at hot sails maui australia and simmer sails, possibly even ka

someone has some gun sails, the race sails in these look pretty nice & are good price but no xply.

yeah I hadn't thought about gun sails.

The Loft Sails experience taught me something that I find really interesting and relevant today...

Entering a market at a low price point leads to a certain consumer perception about quality... and it is a damn tough road to improve that perception.

Loft Sails were marketed at a low price in Aus due to the integrated wholesaler-dealer model. A model many of the other brands have since followed.

Anyone who has used the sails will know how they perform.... how they feel...

Monty knows what he is doing. Top bloke! A true legend of the sport.

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Gestalt said...
you guys might want to have a look at hot sails maui australia and simmer sails, possibly even ka

Dont throw the baby out with the bath water just yet.

Yeah pugwash the sails are extremely durable much more than many. One thing I like about loft is that the masts are constant curve so they can be used on several other sail brands, I've used on KA and North with good results.

well the red thumbers have it then.

but

first you need to come up with min $30k and then you need to wait 3 months for delivery. once that's occurred then you need to honour any warranty claims that come through.

what are loft wanting. euros or usd?

fingers crossed for you guys someone picks up the distribution.

was just thinking.

if I was into going real fast then I know what sail I would buy. for guesses it's red.

Hey Gestalt! I presume you will be at GI this year to show us how fast your custom boards are? And the non Red sails! Looking forward to finally finding out the weights of your secret composite layup

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TheGoat said..

Hey Gestalt! I presume you will be at GI this year to show us how fast your custom boards are? And the non Red sails! Looking forward to finally finding out the weights of your secret composite layup

good stuff goat

no I won't be at GI to show you how fast my custom designs are but thanks for asking.

never mind, if you go maybe you can have a crack at beating the current GI record. I think a board I designed has the record. well, it has my name on the board as the designer but it wasn't all me. anyways, if it still holds the record then go for it.

re the weights. just get one of your mates to build you a board then you don't need to worry about my gear. you may want them to look at some of the threads on seabreeze from other board builders first though. if that doesn't work then get in touch. i'll tell you precisely. or you could ring nxs.

Whats the record??

no idea what it currently is.

I can't remember exactly what it was. I think 41 knots with a 6.3m sail or something. (not me sailing)

from memory wind was just over 20 knots. not sure what fin. probably C3

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Gestalt said..
was just thinking.

if I was into going real fast then I know what sail I would buy. for guesses it's red.

1998 Gaastra GTX?

that's just GA

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Gestalt said..

first you need to come up with min $30k $50k and then you need to wait 3 months an undetermined period for delivery. once that's occurred then you need to honour any warranty claims that come through with minimal support from manufacturer keeping in mind it is illegal to refer the warranty claim to the manufacturer at the expense and time of the purchaser (you as the importer must honour the warranty).

Fixed.

I actually was considering picking up importer role but a mast warranty claim went bad (50% honoured & I couldn't be bothered pursuing with fair trading as you may not get awarded anything from doing that, the govt just earns more money and causes the business to shut down), I humoured the importer and let them refer to manufacturer to which the response was pretty typical of this industry. Thankfully I had money to buy another different branded mast and not have to wait on the outcome but then the horror stories come out from other owners, everyone who just accepts the response from the supplier, perhaps they just get to the same point of f*** it who cares, we do this activity for enjoyment not to stress about it. Ultimately boohoo to that particular brand, why would I want to deal with a company that doesn't honour claims and support the distributor of your product.

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mkseven said..

loft went to same price as pryde this year in europe,

well not really, in France a 7.8 Racing blade will sell at 949 euros while a 7.8 EVO6 retails at 1279 euros and a gun sails gsr 7.9 will be 609 euros

In New Cal a loft racing blade will be 921 AUD.

I was told (yet to be confirmed) that loft was partially bought by a french guy who now runs the whole company, hence the new names and vanishing of Monty's beloved sensitip (too expensive).
Monty now only being in charge of designing. Which is the most important part if you ask me :-)

do people pay retail on rs racing's

seriously though, here a 7.8 Rsr evo 6 is retail $2160, scale as you will. Pryde margins have alot more movement, probably why some team riders found the price to them for blade alot closer to the evo 6.

Have been informed by Michel from Loft in France that they will be distributed in 2015 by Patrick Dieltham. Pricing out in August.

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col5555 said..
Have been informed by Michel from Loft in France that they will be distributed in 2015 by Patrick Dieltham. Pricing out in August.

Thanks for the update Col.
BTW - how'd you go with the 460 and 7.0?

thanks Col thats good news

I love my Loft Switchblades and Bud was a true gentleman to deal with, but it's been too long waiting to see who might pick up Loft, so I now have a KA koncept coming and me being me I'll stick with them. I'll have KA's on my CA's