Expensive sailmakers

[zoidberg]

I'm still hunting for a sailmaker who's most likely to 'tick the boxes' for two new headsails..... and some other stuff...... and I've spoken to a good few in recent weeks. It slightly pains my presbyterian soul to countenance, but 'the cheapest' is not necessarily a priority.
Lots of readers here will have cast around for sails and collected several 'quotations' reflecting a range of specification. For a slightly different perspective, what firm does the congregation consider to have been the more expensive of their quotes...?

 

[deeb]

Its the opposite of South

 

[steveeasy]

Recently a chap had his boat fully renovated at the yard I used to keep my previous boat at. He unfurled his sails one day and they looked breathtaking. Partly by some fancy material used, and they were a stunning shade of cream that matched the boat perfectly.. They looked so well made I decided id use them for their reputation that frequently gets a mention. Kemps.

Steveeasy

 

[jwfrary]

Mine are Sanders, good sails reasonable price

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Its the opposite of South

Yep. That’s the ones. And yep, there's a good chance that Pete Sanders will do you better for less. Though he won’t be the cheapest. He’ll be a lot better than the cheapest, which more than makes up for it.

 

[Aja]

I ve just put in an order with Sanders for a new mainsail. Not the cheapest, but from talking to friends and reading posts here, remarkably well respected as a sailmaker.

Edit: if you have a top end racing boat or can't compromise on latest design or materials, then North is probably what you want.

 

[coopec]

Would it be worth checking this crowd out?

New & Used Sails - Sail Exchange

bettina@sailexchange.com.au

 

[john_morris_uk]

North quote for small jobs at a rate that says they don’t want (or can’t be bothered) with your job. If you’re extremely flushed with money racing a high end boat, then they’re interested, (or that’s the impression one gets…)

 

[Chiara’s slave]

North quote for small jobs at a rate that says they don’t want (or can’t be bothered) with your job. If you’re extremely flushed with money racing a high end boat, then they’re interested, (or that’s the impression one gets…)

They gave me a quote for £5k for a jib. Being the sort of person who”ll eat beans on toast for a year so as to afford the best sails, I called them back. As you say, not interested. Too small a job, I guess.

 

[jamie N]

Owen Sails. Everything that they do is about the quality for the client.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I have always had good service at reasonable pricing from Kemps.

 

[Daydream believer]

I have always had good service at reasonable pricing from Kemps.

Having had 2 bad sails ( 1 went back for alteration, gave up with the second) & poor customer after care, I would not recommend them. . But that was in 1998 & as suggested above there are lots who are happy.
Makes one wonder if people know what they are actually getting, when buying new sails.
Or do they just like the look of the new cloth & fittings & think that they must be good.

 

[Daydream believer]

New & Used Sails - Sail Exchange

Would it not be wise for anyone using a UK based sail exchange Co., to search the forum fully for experience of forumites, before parting with their cash?

 

[Praxinoscope]

1998 was the first time I used Kemps, they offered me a great deal at the London Boat Show (Still at Earls Court) Genoa & Main,I sold the boat in 2017 and it still had those sails in regular use, including some longer passages (e.g. Aberaeron - A Caruna),. Had them washed and valeted every year and they were still in good condition. Just bought a new main from them for my present boat, but haven’t used it yet as I placed the order for delivery late in this year and it has just been delivered.
But judging by the various comments on sailmakers in OP’s over the years, they all screw up occsionally it’s how they go about settling customers dissatisfaction that is equally important.

 

[Daydream believer]

I'm still hunting for a sailmaker who's most likely to 'tick the boxes' for two new headsails..... and some other stuff...... and I've spoken to a good few in recent weeks. It slightly pains my presbyterian soul to countenance, but 'the cheapest' is not necessarily a priority.
Lots of readers here will have cast around for sails and collected several 'quotations' reflecting a range of specification. For a slightly different perspective, what firm does the congregation consider to have been the more expensive of their quotes...?

A lot depends on how long the sail lasts- By that I mean still keeps a reasonable shape & not turn into an old bag.
If you want expensive then my laminate self tacking sail supplied by Ultimate Sails would tick the box.

But that being said, it was better than my Goacher genoa. Used 6 times in 19 years mainly because it does not fit properly, even though they had the boat. My Doyle self tacking jib,(1 season) It was hopeless, a locally made ST (5 years) & my Hyde dacron ST.(6 years) All less than half the price of the Ultimate supplied sail
The Ultimate has lasted longer than the others as it is now into its 8th year. This will be the last & I will probably change to Hyde again at the end of this year. I would have changed it this year, but a new furler & rigging got in first

I have a Hyde Fibrecon main which (6years) is still nearly as good as new. The first Doyle main did 5 after a re cut. (I have just sold it to a chap in Denmark)The second Hyde (marblehead racing) mainsail did 8 & is still OK but I keep as a spare
I have Hyde sails on my Squib & they are excellent
North sails on a Phantom were absolute rubbish.

 

[coopec]

Would it not be wise for anyone using a UK based sail exchange Co., to search the forum fully for experience of forumites, before parting with their cash?

Many Australian sailors order new sales online from Asia and they don't have problems.

As for buying secondhand sails online from Sail Exchange Australia I cannot express an opinions but I imagine business would quickly dry up if they did the wrong thing. ( They claim to be selling sails all around the world.

 

[michael_w]

A lot of it depends on what the sails are made of. Fast, good. cheap choose any two.

If you want good shape that lasts and lasts you'll have to pay for it. I've had great success with Radial Hydranet. Lovely stuff, but it 'aint cheap.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Saturn Sails, at Largs Marina, always a bit more expensive in my experience of quotations, but very good sails and excellent reputation. I believe not in your neck of the woods, hence likely a moot point.

 

[Bobc]

If you're looking for a really top quality sail at a sensible price, can I suggest that you contact Nicky Octon at NJO Sails (Shamrock Quay, Southampton).

Nicky used to run the Doyle loft when it was there, and built sails for a lot of serious boats (Velsheda for example). When Doyles decided to move to Swanwick to focus on superyacht sails, she quit, took over the loft at Shamrock quay and started NJO Sails.

So if you want to deal with someone who is the person that will measure the boat, discuss what you want with you, and make the sails (so no Chinese whispers), and will make a sail at the same quality of a Doyle/North but at a much lower price, I suggest you give her a call.

 

[billyfish]

Batt sails in Bosham gets my vote...talk to Dick and he will tell you what's best for your needs