I need a sailmaker - any suggestions please?

[mclark]

I need to get some quotes for a new suit of sails for White Heather. Can anyone recommend a sailmaker capable of building lugsails for a 45 footer in Clipper including hand roping and finishing.

I dont have any magazines these days to refer to so any suggestions with a phone number would be very helpful.

Thanks

 

[Mirelle]

Stephen Hall, North Sea Sails, Tollesbury.

01621 869 367

He can probably do them in cotton or flax as well if you like, but can certainly do them in Clipper, hand roped and finished.

 

[Kilter]

Suufolk Sails
9 Tide Mill Way
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 1BY
01394 386323

 

[Constance]

[ QUOTE ]
Stephen Hall, North Sea Sails, Tollesbury.

01621 869 367



[/ QUOTE ]

Seconded, Steve made my new lugger's sails in Clipper, roped etc, super workmanship and (not that I'm an expert) I think they set pretty well on her first day out:

 

[Victorious]

Yep
Steven Hall

 

[Mirelle]

Jim Welland. Also a good sailmaker but perhaps more for slightly younger classics?

Not so much of the hand roping.

Worth asking, though

 

[michael_w]

He should have made the clew patch on the main a bit bigger - stop all those nasty creases. Also the jib looks very full; ok pointing isn't going to be her best point, but such a full entry can't help. Smashing looking boat though.

 

[Transcur]

Loose footed sails do have a tendancy to have creases at the clew when it's pulled out, especially when going to windward. Clew patch reinforcement unlikly to make much difference.

Of course there is James Lawrence Sailmaker, Brightlingsea.
http://www.jameslawrencesailmakers.com/

 

[Constance]

I've since relaxed clew tension, looks better, also probably needed the jib sheeting in a bit, snap was literally my first hour sailing her. Still much to learn! Thanks (and to Transcur) for your comments.

 

[mormargh]

Try SKB in Penryn. Gaff specialists.

 

[mclark]

Thanks to all for your responses. I have already approached Steve at North Sea Sails and have a lot of confidence in him but would like to have one or two more quotes for completeness.

Does anyone have a number for SKB sails?

Cheers

 

[AlJones]

Try Valiant Sails in Maldon on the Fullbridge.

They made my set for our Winkle Brig, Peanuts.

Don't know what they are like on something a bit bigger, but like you say, worth having a couple of quotes.

Good luck.

Al Jones.

 

[ccscott49]

Have you tried fleetwood sails? Made the new sails in clipper, hand finished etc. for Biddy.

 

[mclark]

Fylde sails of fleetwood were my first choice but apparently a couple of months ago the sailmaker retired and they closed the damn sail loft - real pity because their quote had been very competitive indeed.

 

[Mirelle]

No, but I agree with Peter (Transcur) that the obvious choice for another quote would be Mark Butler at James Lawrence - he and Steve are at daggers drawn!

 

[FWB]

SKB Sails

 

[bluemoongaffer]

I found Gowen Ocean in West Mersea to be very helpful and knowledgeable on gaff sails (well, knew a lot more than me). Don't know about "clipper" & "hand roping" etc - not sure what they are. I'm not connected - just very happy with the way the sales set and their service. The person I dealt with is called Doug Seaden. Good luck with SKB. When I called they said words to the effect "if you don't live in Cornwall we don't want to talk to you"!

 

[Transcur]

Sent Manx_Nobby a PM

 

[oldfrank]

I suspect that Jeckells of Wroxham make more gaff sails than anyone else in the UK. Old Frank

 

[gilbertM]

Try Andy Cassel at Ratsey and Lapthorn in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, a completely traditional loft inhabited by truly skilled craftsmen.