Does anyone here have their sails cleaned/valeted?

FullCircle

FullCircle

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Not entirely an idle enquiry, as ther is no laundry/valeters closer than the Solent, and apparently none elsewhere in UK.

The thing that puts me off is the enormous cost of transport.

I got charged about 130 quid for my main last year, inc 40 quid for transport.
I aim to have my sails valeted every 3rd year.

So, if it was conveniant, and your sails were collected and delivered to your yard or club, would you consider using the service?

Additionally, would you have a condition report and repairs done at the same time?
 
FullCircle said:
Not entirely an idle enquiry, as ther is no laundry/valeters closer than the Solent, and apparently none elsewhere in UK.

The thing that puts me off is the enormous cost of transport.

I got charged about 130 quid for my main last year, inc 40 quid for transport.
I aim to have my sails valeted every 3rd year.

So, if it was conveniant, and your sails were collected and delivered to your yard or club, would you consider using the service?

Additionally, would you have a condition report and repairs done at the same time?
Click to expand...


Gowen used to do their own on site
 
I had something through the post from the loft at Woolverstone quoting something around £5/kg for sails. I spoke to Suffolk Sails in Woodbridge last weel who quoted me £2.70/kg. I plan to take them in at some stage over the winter. I would be pissed off if Suffolk Sails then charge me transport after I have dropped them off.
 
This will be my first year- I have them booked in with Quantum at SYH and they have quoted £80 or thereabouts for my main and genny. I did look at the NOVO sail service that was reviewed in Sailing Today and YM last month but it was way too expensive. Perhaps a 3 year thing or when funds allow for a new main then it might be worth it.

Any ideas for canopy and boom cover welcome - the washing machine may be pushing my luck with SWMBO!
 
We did have them done a couple of times but I couldn't see any difference so will resist in future, but I expect the admiral will insist.
 
We had them done by Quantum at SYH a couple of times - this year we probably won't bother. They patched worn bits and renewed the UV strip - that sort of thing, at the same time. We took them there and fetched them ourselves. No idea what the cost was, but the £130 you quote sounds about right for the main + similar for the genoa.
 
pyrojames said:
I had something through the post from the loft at Woolverstone quoting something around £5/kg for sails. I spoke to Suffolk Sails in Woodbridge last weel who quoted me £2.70/kg. I plan to take them in at some stage over the winter. I would be pissed off if Suffolk Sails then charge me transport after I have dropped them off.
Click to expand...

suffolk sails charge £2.75/kg (ex VAT) with a handling charge of £7.50 per sail, you should NOT be charged for delivery collection unless it is by courier or by agreement.
For a westerly griffon expect washing to cost £110 + servicing an additional £50 maybe for both sails inc VAT.
The average cost of washing and reproofing sprayhoods is about £35 inc VAT
The sail laundry should only charge for washing / reproofing etc and not for carriage.
minor servicing should be a matter of course - stitching, chafe etc.
It is worth doing as salt crystals break down the finish and weave of the cloth quicker than almost anything else.
Check with your sailmaker what is covered.
 
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Close to Home.. Both sailmakers in Burnham-On-Crouch will give you a price.. I think they gather them up and get them sent off somewhere in bulk which keeps the transport price down.. I had my genoa done last year
 
I have had my Main and Genoa done by Dolphin, they will collect from various places, Foxes being one, about £150, includes checking over and some minor repairs. Also includes storing them for the winter, useful if you have liitle space ashore.

Sail and Cover at Woolverstone also do the job. I have had my RHOD sails cleaned there a couple of times.
 
Leighb said:
I have had my Main and Genoa done by Dolphin, they will collect from various places, Foxes being one, about £150, includes checking over and some minor repairs. Also includes storing them for the winter, useful if you have liitle space ashore.

Sail and Cover at Woolverstone also do the job. I have had my RHOD sails cleaned there a couple of times.
Click to expand...

Had my main & genoa done by Dolphin/Gower last year. Won't be bothering again. Came to £170+ and they missed what should have been minor repairs within their schedule :mad:
 
We've given up on sending for cleaning and only send the sails away for repairs. Usually a few minutes on hands and knees on the sitting-room with a sponge and some soap flakes and a bit of stronger stuff seems to do just as well. Years ago our sails came back with all the stuffing knocked out of them after washing, so I'm a bit cautious.
 
Hi,
I'm a newbie to this site so I hope you don't mind me posting a response to this - but I too had the genoa cleaned by Dolphin when I took on the boat about 2 years ago. It came out at about £100 but to be honest didn't seem to make much difference and the small jobs I'd asked for weren't done so I won't be having them done again. There's an article on how they wash sails in this months PBO.
 
I had mine (and CPD's) done at W Sails in Leigh. They just use a large washing machine and hang them up over the weekend to dry. £35 a sail (incl a check over) two years ago. Wouldn't give them posh sails to do.
 
Suffolk sails didn't charge me for transport last year. I would use them again, but don't have it done each year. Their sttnadard service includes checking the sail over and minor repairs as neccessary.

Regards
 
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