Peppermint
New member
Anybody used them?
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Crusader Sails
- Thread starter Peppermint
- Start date
AndrewB
Well-known member
Yes, in 1996 and just now ready for replacement after 25,000 miles. The service was a bit off-hand but the sails were well-made.
Quote from 'another' well-known sailmaker where I took them for valetting two years ago: "These are good sails ... oh, they're Crusader!"
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Quote from 'another' well-known sailmaker where I took them for valetting two years ago: "These are good sails ... oh, they're Crusader!"
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wayneA
New member
FWIW – I think their after sales service needs a little work!
My best mate had Genoa and main, from Crusader, for his Westerly Fulmar. The Genoa is a lovely sail, very nice cut and well made. The main was not so good, with the bottom third being very full and baggy. This in its self is not a problem, as all my friend wants is someone to look at the sail – preferably set on the boat/mast – and make adjustments etc. After spending a good chunk of money, I don’t think that its too much to ask? He has also gone to the expense of having a rigger re-tune his mast to make sure that it is the sail at fault.
We spoke to Crusader at SBS and they promised to look at the sail and didn’t, so we spoke to them again last week at LIBS. Both times (I was with him) their attitude was very ‘huffy’ and patronising – they believe that because they cut so many Fulmar sails, there can’t possibly be a problem. IMHO they just can’t be bothered. They are due to visit the boat (under duress) in Feb, so will let you know if they turn up and help solve the problem.
Just my personal experience – I hope others have a better story, but ask about what they will do if you are not happy with the work.
Cheers
Wayne
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hitrapia.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/iom/>Van de Stadt Seacracker 33 for sale</A>
My best mate had Genoa and main, from Crusader, for his Westerly Fulmar. The Genoa is a lovely sail, very nice cut and well made. The main was not so good, with the bottom third being very full and baggy. This in its self is not a problem, as all my friend wants is someone to look at the sail – preferably set on the boat/mast – and make adjustments etc. After spending a good chunk of money, I don’t think that its too much to ask? He has also gone to the expense of having a rigger re-tune his mast to make sure that it is the sail at fault.
We spoke to Crusader at SBS and they promised to look at the sail and didn’t, so we spoke to them again last week at LIBS. Both times (I was with him) their attitude was very ‘huffy’ and patronising – they believe that because they cut so many Fulmar sails, there can’t possibly be a problem. IMHO they just can’t be bothered. They are due to visit the boat (under duress) in Feb, so will let you know if they turn up and help solve the problem.
Just my personal experience – I hope others have a better story, but ask about what they will do if you are not happy with the work.
Cheers
Wayne
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hitrapia.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/iom/>Van de Stadt Seacracker 33 for sale</A>
ridgy
Well-known member
Have had two jibs and a snuffer from them. The gear is fine but they are sooo slooowwwww...it took 4 months and more than one phone call to get a bog standard storm jib off them! I think they advertise a 21 or 28 day turnaround...
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Hunter34
New member
I have had a main, genoa and cruising chute from Crusader over the last 3 years all of which are very well made for the price.
When I ordered each sail I said that if it couldnt be delivered by a certain date then I wouldnt order as I had a deadline (honest) so they agreed.
All 3 sail arrived on time no problems.
The only query I have had with them was when some of the ss rings on the main started to go rusty.They insisted it was electrolysis and as I sold the boat not long after I couldnt be bothered to argue.
All in all I think they offer good value for money.
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When I ordered each sail I said that if it couldnt be delivered by a certain date then I wouldnt order as I had a deadline (honest) so they agreed.
All 3 sail arrived on time no problems.
The only query I have had with them was when some of the ss rings on the main started to go rusty.They insisted it was electrolysis and as I sold the boat not long after I couldnt be bothered to argue.
All in all I think they offer good value for money.
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AndrewB
Well-known member
Crusader told me at the outset that they wouldn't do fitting visits and that was one of the reasons they could afford to be cut-price. However, they were willing to make minor adjustments, and did so to my specification.
One grudge I had with them was that they at first agreed to sew on the sail numbers then later refused, insisting the glue would hold. Sure enough, after two years most had started to curl up at the edges and I spent hours hand-sewing the lot on.
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One grudge I had with them was that they at first agreed to sew on the sail numbers then later refused, insisting the glue would hold. Sure enough, after two years most had started to curl up at the edges and I spent hours hand-sewing the lot on.
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Robin
Well-known member
I have had 4 full suits of sails now from them for 3 boats over 20 years and they valet our sails annually so have some experience of them, they are also one of three local sailmakers to me. Year before last we had a new triradial roller genoa in Dimension Hydranet (Spectra woven in net) for our current boat, which like all our sails from them was excellent. They are currently making a new triradial Hydranet fully battened mainsail for us which I have every expectation will be superb. These sails are clearly not their basic range ones as we pay a premium to get the best for our needs but this premium is surprisingly not excessive IMO.
That said some points to remember most of which apply to all sailmakers:-
They make a full range of sails, from the basic (as fitted by a boatbuilder) to the cruiser racer or full flat out racer or round the worlder. If you want the latter types don't expect the basic price and do make sure you tell them what you want, as a default they will assume you are looking for the cheapest price.
Like all sailmakers they get very busy at certain times and like all sailmakers leadtimes can 'drift'. I am currently having covers made by another local sailmaker and 'drift' is already happening there! We are local to Crusader so can chase personally, I do start gently reminding them ahead of time.
All IMHO of course.
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That said some points to remember most of which apply to all sailmakers:-
They make a full range of sails, from the basic (as fitted by a boatbuilder) to the cruiser racer or full flat out racer or round the worlder. If you want the latter types don't expect the basic price and do make sure you tell them what you want, as a default they will assume you are looking for the cheapest price.
Like all sailmakers they get very busy at certain times and like all sailmakers leadtimes can 'drift'. I am currently having covers made by another local sailmaker and 'drift' is already happening there! We are local to Crusader so can chase personally, I do start gently reminding them ahead of time.
All IMHO of course.
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MedMan
New member
I have had a main and genoa made by them. Both are excellent sails and the price was the lowest I was quoted by anyone. Their big problem is failure to stick to promised dates. If you need a new sail in 4 weeks time - forget Crusader. However, if you can afford to wait and your blood pressure won't fly off the scale when 4 weeks turns into 8 or even 10, you won't get better value anywhere.
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LORDNELSON
New member
I have a fully battened mainsail (2 years old) and a cruising chute (1 year old) both well cut and well made by Crusader. Both delivered on time, but I did order them around October for delivery in January. I am pleased with both sails. Prices were as low as the other lowest quote. They show little interest in putting things right until you collar them at the boat show and say what the problem is - for example the small blue bonnet that completes the cover around the front part of the furled fully battened main was too small. A letter was totally ignored but discussion at the boat show resulted in a new properly fitting one being supplied quickly
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sailorman
Well-known member
add a penelty clause into the deal if there late @ least u get cheaper sails.
got mine 1/2 price from them 7 yrs ago
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got mine 1/2 price from them 7 yrs ago
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Becky
New member
I have a genoa made by Crusader. I have had to have the sacrificial strip replaced as the boat had been left for 5 years without hardly moving,and the sail was generally deteriorating with lack of use. I had the strip replaced by another sailmaker who, while not necessarily denigrating Crusader, explained how they made them more cheaply. They do seem to cut some corners, and this is reflected in the price. On the other hand, if you look after your sails as much as you should your engine, you will probably never reach the situation I was in where the weakness of the manufacture became apparent. After all, others on the Forum seem to have had no troubles. You pays your money and you takes your chance ( for the literate among you, should there be apostrophe's after pay [pay's] and take [take's]?) Just wondered.
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Omatako
New member
Just for the record, use apostrophe when the word is shortened from two. If your intention is to say "pay is" then shorten to pay's. Otherwise no apostrophe.
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Becky
New member
Thank you. I knew someone would know the correct punctuation. It's those spelling correctors on computers that have ruined my ability to get things right.
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jimi
Well-known member
Um I thought apostrophes were of a possessive rather than tensive nature?
<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
Robin
Well-known member
Sacrificial strips
Have a life of about 5 years +/- depending on how much sun, how long the sail is left rolled up. That is the same for all makes of sail.
I suspect by the way that your friendly sailmaker was making an opportunistic comment about the competition. I wonder if you could ask him to tell us where the corners were cut?
Our current boat came with some very sexy North sails when we bought it 2 years ago, they set very nicely and obviously had pedigree. However the 6 year old laminate roller genoa had to be thrown away, it was totally wrecked by having no sacrificial sunstrip! The North mainsail lasted 2 seasons more so is 8yrs old, but is currently being replaced (by a Dimension Polyant Hydranet triradial fully battened one from Crusader) because it too is coming apart. In this case the bolt rope strip is rotten (displaying incidentally the cheap blue polypropylene bolt rope!) as is the entire shelf foot. So North are quite capable of cutting corners despite the price tag!
I repeat what I said in my other post, make sure you specify exactly what you want, if that is the cheapest deal then so be it, likewise if you want the best say so and be prepared to pay a little bit more. We chose to specify the best cloth and cut and paid maybe 25% more for it, but it came from Crusader who as I said are our local sailmaker and have made excellent sails for us over 20 years and 4 suits over 3 boats. In all cases though I specified the best and got it, the slight extra cost was justified because I like sails to perform well and keep their shape as long as possible.
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Have a life of about 5 years +/- depending on how much sun, how long the sail is left rolled up. That is the same for all makes of sail.
I suspect by the way that your friendly sailmaker was making an opportunistic comment about the competition. I wonder if you could ask him to tell us where the corners were cut?
Our current boat came with some very sexy North sails when we bought it 2 years ago, they set very nicely and obviously had pedigree. However the 6 year old laminate roller genoa had to be thrown away, it was totally wrecked by having no sacrificial sunstrip! The North mainsail lasted 2 seasons more so is 8yrs old, but is currently being replaced (by a Dimension Polyant Hydranet triradial fully battened one from Crusader) because it too is coming apart. In this case the bolt rope strip is rotten (displaying incidentally the cheap blue polypropylene bolt rope!) as is the entire shelf foot. So North are quite capable of cutting corners despite the price tag!
I repeat what I said in my other post, make sure you specify exactly what you want, if that is the cheapest deal then so be it, likewise if you want the best say so and be prepared to pay a little bit more. We chose to specify the best cloth and cut and paid maybe 25% more for it, but it came from Crusader who as I said are our local sailmaker and have made excellent sails for us over 20 years and 4 suits over 3 boats. In all cases though I specified the best and got it, the slight extra cost was justified because I like sails to perform well and keep their shape as long as possible.
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PeterGibbs
New member
Re: Crusader Sails - fit for purpose!
From my experience of Crusader, if you want a reasonably priced sail, in solid materials and competent makeup, supported with sensible advice by folks who have years of sailing experience, not inclined to induce clients to over-specify for their kind of sailing, then this outfit is as good as any other.
If you want high spec work some of the larger lofts may have the resources.
If you want lowest cost and a straight-forward specificiation buy in the Far East - I know disciminating sailors who have excellent experience. But you do need to know precisely what you want.
PWG
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From my experience of Crusader, if you want a reasonably priced sail, in solid materials and competent makeup, supported with sensible advice by folks who have years of sailing experience, not inclined to induce clients to over-specify for their kind of sailing, then this outfit is as good as any other.
If you want high spec work some of the larger lofts may have the resources.
If you want lowest cost and a straight-forward specificiation buy in the Far East - I know disciminating sailors who have excellent experience. But you do need to know precisely what you want.
PWG
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MedMan
New member
You pay your money and you take your chance
The literate amongst us (including you, I feel sure) will be more concerned about the grammar than the punctuation. The expression is an attempt to put spoken Cockney into the written word in which guise it looks really rather silly, with or without apostrophes!
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The literate amongst us (including you, I feel sure) will be more concerned about the grammar than the punctuation. The expression is an attempt to put spoken Cockney into the written word in which guise it looks really rather silly, with or without apostrophes!
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtretreat.com>http://www.yachtretreat.com</A>
