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Owner, Cheryl Boyle |
AirForce Sails was the first sail loft to sell our sails over the Internet. We created the first instant, on-line quoter, the first sail coloring program and were the first to offer a 5-year warranty (the longest ever). AirForce pioneered the concept that quality sails built to customer speciification with the best materials did not have to be unreasonably priced. All of these firsts were years ahead of the competion. For example, our on-line quoter was on the web in 2000!
Unfortunately, these firsts are not as "special" in today's market. If imitation is flattery, then AirForce has to be the most flattered sail loft in history! All our competitors, large and small, have morphed their business models to follow the path we blazed. (Some have carried the flattery past the boundary of unethical, perhaps to infringing, behaviors) From the consumer's perspective, this is a good thing. You have a wide variety of choices that didn't exist 10 years ago. From our perspective, it's like showing up to the party and finding that all the ladies are wearing the same "unique" dress as you .
AirForce Sails is once again setting it's own course. Given the changes in the market, we're narrowing our focus to spinnakers and small boat sails. This is a market where we can specialize and deliver exceptional value without being part of the "me too" crowd.
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Sail Designer, Sandy Goodall |
Sandy Goodall will continue our tradition of design excellence with all our sails. Sandy is frequently referred to as the "Sail Designer's, Designer." He was the co-owner and head of design at one of the world's largest sail lofts with operations in 14 countries. He has worked with AirForce to develop our range of standard spinnakers and will provide design services for those customers who need one of our custom asymmetrical or symmetrical spinnakers.
A quality Sail Designer's participation is crucial as spinnakers are complex shapes that operate in a wide range of conditions. The days of lofting a sail by hand are long gone. Modern expectations simply won't tolerate the old "trial and error" approach. Computer driven design is the key to molding these shapes to achieve maximum effectiveness across the intended range of wind speeds. Sandy has been at the forefront of the computer-driven design effort for decades.
Our continued focus on product quality, achieved through painstaking attention to detail and rigorous demand for the best materials available, will ensure that Sandy's design performs to its fullest potential when you hoist it aboard your sailboat. That same focus on product quality will ensure the maximum effective lifespan for your investment in a new spinnaker.
We're certain that some lofts will continue their tradition of following the leader. That's fine because competition serves the customer. We simply ask that you evaluate all the offerings and remember one thing: AirForce set the standard by innovating for the customer's benefit, not by copying others or being part of the status quo. Our commitment to you stretches beyond simply keeping up with everyone else.
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