Replacement sail for Escape Rumba

[Cleat Hill Billy]

I am looking to buy a second hand Escape Rumba but it will need a new sail. I am finding it difficult to source a replacement sail in the UK so I am considering asking a sailmaker to make me a new one, using the existing as a template. Does anyone know of a UK sailmaker who could/would do this please?

 

[Wing Mark]

Probably best to ask around small local sailmakers who do repairs and one-offs.
But it will not be cheap.
The only cheap new sails are 'replica' sails for things like the Laser, made in China by the hundred.
I doubt getting a sail made will work out cheaper than importing one from the US, and you 'd have to pay VAT if you import one.

Could the old sail be repaired?

what draws you to this boat?
What do you want from it?
There may be other boats which will do what you want better.
These things did not really catch on, there may be reasons for that!

 

[Cleat Hill Billy]

Thank you Wing Mark, you have confirmed my fears about the likely expense of getting a new sail made :-(

I am looking at this boat because I plan to tow it down to Spain and sail it off the beaches of the Mar Menor, which is a shallow (sometimes very shallow) salt water lagoon and the draft of this boat and its 'pop up' daggerboard and rudder make it seem like a good option. But I am happy to be guided towards alternatives !

 

[Tranona]

You could try here cheyneyrock.co.uk/sailing/escape-sailboats/escape-sailboat-parts.php

 

[Wing Mark]

Thank you Wing Mark, you have confirmed my fears about the likely expense of getting a new sail made :-(

I am looking at this boat because I plan to tow it down to Spain and sail it off the beaches of the Mar Menor, which is a shallow (sometimes very shallow) salt water lagoon and the draft of this boat and its 'pop up' daggerboard and rudder make it seem like a good option. But I am happy to be guided towards alternatives !

There are quite a few tough beach boats around in the UK, depending on your size, sailing level and budget.
TBH, I am not up to speed with the choices. I've sailed a Pico, that was OK and will take two if you're not large.
all those Xenons , Topaz and what have you confuse me.
You can sail most boats in pretty shallow water, I can sail to windward in my Laser from about a foot or 18 inches of water., anything less than that and most boats will make a lot of leeway and lack directional stability.
Also with the rudder up too much the load on it is huge and steering becomes sketchy.... Need to steer the boat mostly by heeling if the rudder isn't properly down.
You would be unlucky to do much damage to a boat like a laser unless you run it aground at speed or in surf.
A few scratches that don't matter on an old beach boat would annoy a keen racer with a newish boat of course!

Perhaps someone who knows the destination could advise?

 

[Cleat Hill Billy]

Thanks WM. I am really looking for a double hander which I can sail with a crew or with the kids but which I can also sail single handed most of the time. So the Pico etc would be too small (I find a Pico too small even for just me).

Most of the sailing schools on the Mar Menor use a locally made boat called a Pastinaca, which I have seen described as "similar to a small Wayfarer" - but most of the time you have to sail it with the centerboard up - which makes life interesting, as you can imagine.

Tranona, thanks for the tip for cheyneyrock , that's a good steer )

 

[Cleat Hill Billy]

I have now managed to find a sailmaker who can make me a replacement. Exchange Sails in Ivybridge, for future reference. Thanks to all who responded , regards, CHB

 

[Kwik Decision]

Please do a search for Exchange Sails on this forum. They certainly used to have a dreadful rep, and I for one wouldn't touch them with a barge pole...

 

[Cleat Hill Billy]

Thanks Kwik. Just done a search as you suggest and it doesn't read well. Fortunately I haven't committed yet and I have since heard back from another maker who can offer me a replacement (North Sails, who made the original) . I will now ask them for a quote. Thanks again for your very timely post