Crusader Sails - Any Good?

[Sea Devil]

Thinking about a new suit of sails.... Certainly Crusader are cheaper than most but in the past I have heard people have been disappointed - felt they paid peanuts got monkeys...

Have anybody here ordered from this loft and what were their experiences?

 

[bluepippa]

Sorry cant comment re crusader, however recently had a new main from Sanders Sails in Lymington.... Now thats what I call service. The price was very good to.

Good luck
Daryl

 

[pappaecho]

I bought an Evasion 32 in Nov last year with Crusader sails - new main, mizzen and genoa made in 2000, and they appear to be good quality sails, and show no wear or other problems

 

[masterofnone]

Can't comment on sail cut, etc, new main and roller genoa in past year, fit, do the job, good service and price.

 

[pragmatist]

We have purchased from Crusader twice and the quality of the sails has been fine, IMHO. First sail was a genoa for a Sadler 29 and the current ones were yankee and staysail. Went and talked to them in person the 2nd time as we were down that way and they were most helpful. Because of the nature of the boat they recommended heavy duty materials and other than a few bits of stitching which needed patching up after 8 years of light use they've been fine. We bought our main about 3 years ago from Westaway in Ivybridge (I mention this because when last heard you were in Plymouth) and Simon Unwin, the then owner, was equally helpful. However since then they've been bought out and we had terrible trouble getting them to deliver a stackpack and more problems getting them to get it right so we'd not go to them again.

 

[Robin]

Michael

Do a search, it will save my typing finger!

Briefly and from a very happy customer over many boats, many full suits of sails and many years but no other connection with them, they are pretty good. But do please talk in detail with them about your requirements, they offer a full range from cheap and cheerful to looney racer via round the world and not surprisingly the price of each range varies.

We have bought a new genoa and new mainsail in the last 3 years for our current Sun Legende 41 in Hydranet (Spectra reinforced Dacron), both sails in a tri-radial cut, the main is fully battened and loose footed and the genoa is a roller reefing one. These are superb sails. I believe Crusader will be supplying the sails for the Gypsy Moth restoration project, they have previously made sails for at least one whitbread RTW racer and Velsheda the big J class thingy.

Robin

 

[TigaWave]

I've only bought a storm sail for a 40' boat, and it was very well built, much heavier cloth and better finish than all the bright orange varieties I've used. It was put to use in fairly extreme weather three times, for a couple of days each time.
So no complaints from here

 

[steve6367]

Have used them a few time - no problems - good advise - good product.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Can concur the above.

Bought a mainsail offevem several years ago. Material was good, and it has survived well, and was in good order last time I looked.

Service was also helpful and polite. (several years ago)

regards

 

[MacW]

bought some Facnor bits from them over the phone just a couple of weeks ago. Found them decent, helpful and spot - on.Bits were here the next morning !

 

[Piere]

New genoa two years ago from boat show
I spoke to the man giving only the boat design and within a minute he had all the info on my yacht . Very good service and prompt delivery.
<font color="red"> </font> thumbs up for me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FullCircle]

All the above.
Last year had a Facnor furling system with Bi Radial roller genny. It came with everything needed including the drill bit. Sail worked really well, and no quality issues. Also had a Tri Radial Cruising chute in 7 colours (no extra) and it flies!.
This year (new boat), spent a long time discussing emergency forestays and got them to make me a Storm Jib, and also another identical (but 3 times larger) cruising chute, tri radial in 7 colours. Excellent price, and sound advice when adding the extras.
Paul and team have aways done well for me. They are not good with computers/email however. I expect they are too busy!

 

[celandine]

I have bought two sails and a stack pack from them in recent years. I'd say they are a basically good maker, but like so many sail makers they prioritise your order in proportion to the amount of grief you give them on the phone. I sent the stack pack back for a minor repair last November. Ten days ago I drew their attention to this, less than a week later it arrives. In general they are a pleasant enough firm to deal with.

Mick

 

[penultimate]

Concur with Jimdew, except in respect of email communications. I've had 2 mains and 2 genoas, plus repairs, from Crusader over the years. For the last (intermediate) genoa I specified biradial and a heavyweight cloth. It is a sail I would compare with the best of any other sail maker and just proves that you get what you're prepared to pay for.
I have always found the service fast, friendly and efficient - evan including the shipping of replacement Facnor furling gear and genoa to Horta. Mostly it is a personal service from Paul, Andy & Vicky; and I would recommend them.

 

[affinite]

Just bought a new suit from them - quality looks very good but havent tried them yet (this weekend)
Trouble is they are maxed out at present and although they hit my delivery deadline on the sails (and upgraded the cloth spec at no charge) they have mislaid my Bimini which I put in for a repair a few weeks ago. Paul is a nice guy but too busy at present. You will get a quality product but you may have to man the phones to keep them on track

 

[aidancoughlan]

I have never bought anything from Crusader, but I called them recently out of the blue to ask a question about facnor roller reefing (since they are a Facnor supplier among others)- they were very helpfull, and offered to advise again if I needed to call back. I'm a very satisfied 'customer'!