Crusader or Jeckells

neilf39

neilf39

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Adding another sailmaker thread. Went round the sailmakers at SIBS and got quotes for Main and Genoa. Disappointed at Kemps who did not seem to care very much, and impressed by Jeckells and Crusader as dealt with the boss of both and they were very happy to go through in detail all aspects. Only looking at relatively cheap standard cruising sails so was surprised at the attention. Both Jeckells and Crusader seem to offer similar deal and warranty. Excellent offers within a gnats whisker of each other. I was minded to go Crusader as just down the road in case of issues but Jeckells have local representation and other threads seem to imply they are excellent.

So which to go with??? To balance the Jeckells thread, anyone a Crusader fan?
 
We bought our main and stack pack from Crusader in 2012, and a no 3 Genoa & crusing chute from Jeckells last year. Both companies are good to deal with, make good quality sails, and delivered on time without needing any prompting. A key reason we selected Jeckells last year was because they would come and measure up, rather than use the standard dims for our boat (there's loads of Sadler 29s about!), and particularly for the no 3, which isn't a standard sail, I wanted to make sure the sheeting angles were workable. Looking at the main, I'm sure if a sailmaker had measured up for it, they would have made it a little larger than Crusader did, as the head board is 6" below the top of the mast.
Having said that, I would happily use either company again, but would insist that they came and measured.
 
Just had a main, genoa and cruising chute made by Crusader and delivered to Germany for a boat in Croatia .... very impressed with the quality, delivered on time and as specified. We're now involved in a discussion over adjustments as the measurements were made by me based on the instructions on the web site. Sails are still useable but the foot of the main is a bit too long (need to furl it a bit). The cruising chute is excellent with no probs at all. So far everything is running very amicably.

I'm waiting for a reply from Crusader as they need to check their work instructions to find out if it was me or Crusader who were responsible for the errors.

I'd certainly recommend them, but it would be alot safer to let them measure the boat. Watch this space.
 
Have found Crusader friendly and efficient to deal with, all at a 'nice price'. They made me a Hydranet jib, which I'm delighted with, 18 months ago and salvaged a weather beaten sprayhood for me earlier this season. Also offered me some very helpful advice on rig set up when I dropped by over the summer. I'll be heading their way when the main needs replacing.
 
Cannot comment on jeckell as I have never used them
Have had a genoa , a main and a stack pack from Crusader
Cannot fault quality, delivery not after sales service
Will use them again
 
Had a new genoa from Crusader. I chose them after trawling through loads of threads and recommendations online. Very good quality and good service. They were ahead of schedule even though I told them there was no rush. They made good recommendations regarding cloth and style based on my useage and were very pleased to get a photograph of their sail in use. I would certainly use them again. I also noticed that their head guy was involved in the YM crash test boat as the expert for dismasting and jury rigging.
 
northwind said:
Two thoughts:

1, Where are you based - might be worth going with the one more local to the boat?
2, Have either of them made sails for your class of boat before? - in an ideal world lots of them...
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In Emsworth so Crusader are much closer. I have a Konsort so yes both have done them before. Crusader even quoted who made the masts and asked which of them I had. Apparently mine is rare being a Proctor mast so they said they would definitely come and measure up as they tended to vary a bit in size compared to the others.
 
Another good experience of Crusader. The sails have been excellent. The stackpack had a slight problem but when I bumped into Paul Lees at my marina in deepest Essex (yes, he travels to measure up) he agreed even though it was three years old. It was collected, fixed and returned FOC.
 
MoodySabre said:
Another good experience of Crusader. The sails have been excellent. The stackpack had a slight problem but when I bumped into Paul Lees at my marina in deepest Essex (yes, he travels to measure up) he agreed even though it was three years old. It was collected, fixed and returned FOC.
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My Bi-radial Genoa has performed well (if somewhat triangular is shape, a little foot roach would have helped), after some 6 yrs it needed a new uv strip. Crusader arranged collection far cheaper than i could have done, removed & fitted a new strip & returned it (1/2 the price of a local sailmaker from Essex).
a year later when i bent the sail on, i noticed the clew cringle had pulled partly through the material, i phoned Crusader & the sail was collected nxt day, a new larger cringle & webbing fitted through it & returned for the w/e.
Brilliant service & all at no cost to me.

The sail it replaced was a laminated sail from a local sailmaker that was mildewed & tired @ 7 seasons.
I keep thinking of a new main :o
 
Avoiding the choices presented, have you tried Sanders?
Made a new main & genoa for me a couple of years ago, very very happy with them.
Spent a bit of time discussing what I wanted; for example the existing genoa was a 160% deck sweeper. Ended up with something around 145%, but high cut, so this single hander could see where he was going.
Lots of chat about the main as well, and got exactly what I wanted.
 
+1for Crusader. Paul Lees came and measured up, the product is excellent. We had a small blip; the zip traveller on the stackpack broke but they fixed it and we had it back by return of post. Price was excellent too.
 
Just had Crusader make a Genoa, Main and Stackpack (for my own boat) on the recommendation of ex Yachting Monthly editor Paul Gelder.

First class service and first class sails.

They came to measure too.
 
Had quite a few sails made by Crusader over the years but went for a Jekells genoa two years ago because they had the drawings and dimensions on file for the boat. Must say the quality of Crusader is better leaving aside any differences in cloth spec.
 
pmagowan said:
Had a new genoa from Crusader. I chose them after trawling through loads of threads and recommendations online. Very good quality and good service. They were ahead of schedule even though I told them there was no rush. They made good recommendations regarding cloth and style based on my useage and were very pleased to get a photograph of their sail in use. I would certainly use them again. I also noticed that their head guy was involved in the YM crash test boat as the expert for dismasting and jury rigging.
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+1
 
Good, I went for Crusader and am very pleased. At the boat show a few years ago I went into every stand and nobody came back with a quote except Crusader and an other who I can't as it was months later and I had already purchased the Crusade sails. I was surprised by the lack of interest, Jeckells showed interest but did not quote, nice guy though.
 
neilf39 said:
In Emsworth so Crusader are much closer. I have a Konsort so yes both have done them before. Crusader even quoted who made the masts and asked which of them I had. Apparently mine is rare being a Proctor mast so they said they would definitely come and measure up as they tended to vary a bit in size compared to the others.
Click to expand...

So just to chuck a spanner in the works Arun are even closer (Bosham) and were at SIBS so how come you didn't consider??
 
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They took my details and said they would get back to me. Gave them 4 days and decided I could not be high on their list. They have repaired sails for me in the past so knew about them. Both Jeckells and Crusader were after my business and spent time discussing options etc. Arun did not quote and Kemps seemed disinterested so I went with someone who put the effort in and sold themselves to me.
 
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