New sails: UK or not, cruiser, cruiser/racer or long distance cruiser ?

N

Neil

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 Apr 2004
Messages
7,518
Location
Ireland
Visit site
Thinking about new sails. Who has the best rep of the big names? Is it worth paying the extra for cruiser/racer or other refinements? It's a Sadler 25, so the majors should have everything on file. Or would it be better to go local (Ireland?). I'm a complete neophyte in terms of cloths, cloth weight, the different cuts etc. Can anyone recommend a web resource that gives an impartial synopsis?
 
All the major sailmakers provide information on the different materials and cuts of sails and their applications. Go onto the websites of Crusader, Kemps, North and you will be overwhelmed with information to help you get a fix on what might be suitable. Be prepared for different recommendations from different sailmakers as there is so much choice. Personally I would go to one of two sailmakers because they are both local and have a national reputation - and both (Kemps and Crusader) will produce a good sail for your requirements. However, you might prefer the personal touch of a local loft that will visit measure and fit the sails for you.
 
Get samples of cloth from the sail makers then put a bright light behind the cloth and then use a magnifying glass to look at the cloth. What you will see is different amounts of fibre. Fibre is expensive glue is cheap so the more fibre the better quality material and a longer life before stretching. The highest fibre cloth is Hood but that's for long distance sails that we had. Check the price for the sails against the quality of cloth then decide what quality you want, using time spent sailing as the benchmark. Then remember it's a buyer's market so play them off against each other.
 
Local sailmakers give good service. They have to to survive
However, the bigger sailmakers have access to a wider range of cloths & can supply a wider range of sails
A typical local sailmaker will supply cloths such as bainbridge & quite honestly it will not hold up against the better cloths from hood, hyde or north . Some such as north, uk haylesy franchise their sails so you may be getting a local sailmaker anyway. Some buy via china sails. Ok but they do not actually sail the sails as makers such as hyde & north
I would orget kemp they made me some poor sails & when i sent them back they were rude & told me i had to wait for other orders to be complete. I pointed put i had ordered my sails before the latest orders & so i should go to the front. Still lost half a season waiting for them to be put " sort of right"
Goacher sails made me a cruising chute the wrong size but would not accept liability( they measured the boat) until my solicitor wrote to them. I gave up on the poorly cut genoa from them
I would go for hyde for racing in my cruiser. They make the sails themselves & give a good discount
However for my squib it is Lonton & Gray of Burnham on crouch every time. Excellent service every time for uears

When you see a sample of the cloth fold in half & rub hard with the handle of a knife. It will crease & you will get an idea of how much resin there is as it will have a tendency to crack
Cloths have a greater number of weaves one way as this reduces stretch caused by too many cross weaves leaving spaces for movement. Compare the weaves when sampling
 
Crusader produced an excellent pair of sails and a great stack pack for my boat. They seem to be popular on here and I have no qualms recommending them.

Phone them up, tell them about the boat and what you want to do with her, they'll recommend something suitable.
 
I did look for a quote from Crusader, as the current sails are theirs, but as the first poster pointed out, one can get overwhelmed by detail from individual websites, which obviously push their own wares. I've also had a quote from elsewhere, but I couldn't determine whether I was comparing like with like. I can start by enquiring as to the exact spec of the two quotes - cruiser and cruiser/racer.
 
When I bought a new main for my last boat I want with Hyde whose local office supplied me with a Philippines made sail that was excellent. The previous main was a Crusader sail and very different in both shape, cloth and dimensions.

Very pleased with Hyde for their service too and have included them in the bunch of sailmakers that I asked for a quote for a main for my new boat...
 
If you are getting a new RRG pay the extra for the foam luff. Amazed how well mine sets and drives even well rolled up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top