Advice about Sailmaker

[tjm262]

We are hoping to replace the main and genoa on our 38' sloop prior to some long-distance cruising. Does anyone have any particular recommendations (or damnations!) for a sailmaker - ideally Solent area?

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[Talbot]

Arun - a reasonable price for a reasonable product (thats where mine are at the moment!)

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[Peppermint]

Re: Wander LIBS

Most of them will be there. Have your spec sorted in your head. If you don't know your sizes be sure to try Crusader first. Not only do they make decent sails at popular prices but they have a nice little computer programme full of boat specs. Then armed with their quote/sizes you can try the others.

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[sailorgirl]

Try Peter Saunders in Lymington. Over the past year or so he has made us a full suite including stormsails. The after sale service has been good too - even when we tried to shred an asymetric on only its second or 3rd outing.

He was recommended by friends in the marina and they weren't wrong. One bit of advice though if performance is important we found you should get your sailmaker & rigger to talk to each other.

Sailorgirl



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[john_morris_uk]

Many sailmakers seem to use the same computor program to design and cut the sail. The difference between the sailmakers seems to be quality of materials, finish, price and the quality of their service. So take your pick!

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[ccscott49]

I had excellent service from southern sails in Poole, good people good product good prices. Made a complete set of sails for my boat. Still going strong.

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[alan]

I agree with John on this one; all (?) sails are designed and often cut by computer program (Prosail or whichever) , so the difference is in the materials used, the finish and the service.

My experience:
I have bought a genaker, a genoa light and a full batten main from Crusader and am very satisfied with the quality and the prices; but the last sail (the main) was delivered very late, they had my full money for about six weeks before delivery and I got the run-around on the phone when I was chasing it up............... so the last two sails (a sandwich tri-radial genoa and a cross cut dacron genoa) I have bought from Kemp in Poole; these are excellent quality, finished very well, and were delivered within their schedule estimate, and I got all the support I needed over the phone with respect to measuring e.t.c. They (Kemp) may be a little more expensive that Crusader (for example) but I live in Italy and order my sails from remote and measured by me - so I need good support from the company.
Kemp will provide a quote by e-mail and then they send you a borchure with examples of the styles they make, and also samples of sail material; so you can chose what you need for your requirement/budget.

I have seen sails made in Italy, which are cut well (by computer) but the finish leaves a lot to be desired, hence which is why I order from the U.K.

I have no connection with any of the above companies either than as a customer and am merely relating my experiences for what they are worth.

Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.



<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[dralex]

I would happily endorse Kemps- good product with very good customer service and prompt delivery. They are based in Dorset. The price was mid range from all the quotes I had.

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[Metabarca]

Hmm. Which sailmakers have you dealings with in Italy? I need a new main and have a selection of sailmakers here in Trieste, including Olimpic, who certainly do very good sails for dinghies at least (gold medal, Athens in more than one category). But I want a product that lasts...

<hr width=100% size=1>Adriatic links here: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html>http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html</A>

 

[tjm262]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. It is really most helpful and much appreciated.

James

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[jonjo]

I have recently been engrossed in the selection process for sails for my new boat.

The whole subject is very confusing because of the evolving sail cloth technologies out there. Some of the latest stuff has not been in the field that long, so there is much speculation from consumers and sail makers alike.

When listening to advice you need to question whether it is relevant to your situation. For example the guy with a 150 sq ft main sail might claim with some justification that his stop quality Dacron sails holds a decent shape for club racing but this would not be true at 400 sq ft.

Sailmakers have distinct allegiances to their primary cloth supplier and have well rehearsed explanations why the rival stuff is second rate. For example Hydranet is a unique fabric that triggers polarized opinions among sail lofts.

Before confirming an order I would have a chat with Kemps who offer the best and lengthy advice over the phone. Kemps send out highly detailed quotes that will prove a valuable checklist as you check prices and attempt a like with like comparison.

Also talk to Hoods, they will send out some detailed written material describing why their Dacron production process delivers a woven cloth that rivals a cruising laminate in many respects. This is an argument that needs to be heard from an industry otherwise obsessing about laminate cloth.

Hoods Vectron woven fabric in a cross cut construction might be just the job given your cruising plans.

Don't forget to contact Crusader Sails for a value for money reality check, it is so easy to get talked up the price range when talking to the up-market outfits like Hoods and Kemps.

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[alan]

Hi Metabarca,

Please PM me and I will tell you the names of the sailmakers products that I have seen. But in general they don't explain fully the different types of materials available, the pros and cons of those materials, and never give a clear price quote ......... you have to haggle with them and eventually arrive at their lowest figure (usually the originally quoted price less VAT). On two occasions (by different sail makers) I have seen the sails made to the sailmakers measurements that arrived with the luff cut too long (20 - 30 cm); on another occasion with no provision for the single line reefing system used on that particular boat; on two more occasions I have seen normal blocks fitted to the main (which will eventually damage the fabric) for single line reefing instead of cheek blocks or similar. The "corners" of the sails from Kemp (for example) are protected from the sheets/outhall abrasion by leather trimming, on the Italian sails I have seen they are just left bare.
As I said before the cut of the "Italian" sails are fine (done by computer), it is in the detail and information/choices that they are lacking.

Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke