Sail servicing East Coast?

[Captain Crisp]

Hi - I need a leech line cleat repaired on my 5yr old sails and I suspect there may be a few more issues... could anyone recommend somewhere/someone in the London/Essex area for giving my sails a once-over and service? Or should I be doing this myself...?
Thanks,
Crisp

 

[rgh27]

I can recommend ADM Sails in Maldon ADM Sails - Sail repair Maldon Heybridge Essex. Had my sails valeted and a new sacrificial strip on my genoa

 

[MoodySabre]

Mine have just been serviced by Dolphin at Mersea. I left them at Bradwell office on 17th October for collection and Dolphin rang today to say they were done and would be stored for the winter and returned to Bradwell in the spring. £173 incl VAT and the £!5 collection/delivery charge. I'm out a bit earlier than usual but even so - cracking service.

 

[Concerto]

Try Wilkinson Sails in Burnham.

 

[nigelm]

Try Wilkinson Sails in Burnham.

Mick has been retired for a few years now

 

[nigelm]

I can recommend ADM Sails in Maldon ADM Sails - Sail repair Maldon Heybridge Essex. Had my sails valeted and a new sacrificial strip on my genoa

Another vote for Andy ( adm) he made me a nice set of laminates & did a service on the same .

 

[LONG_KEELER]

A friend at Shotley Marina left his jib there for collection by Onesails of Levington. They apparently did a grand job.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Mine have just been serviced by Dolphin at Mersea. I left them at Bradwell office on 17th October for collection and Dolphin rang today to say they were done and would be stored for the winter and returned to Bradwell in the spring. £173 incl VAT and the £!5 collection/delivery charge. I'm out a bit earlier than usual but even so - cracking service.

+1

Gladys' sails always went to Gowen's at Mersea... Great to have them stored all winter as well! and always came back looking good.

 

[jon and michie]

Advantage Sails did a top job on my boat where a previously mentioned sail maker on here let me down.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Do any of the sail makers actually do all the valeting themselves, granted they are likely to do the repairs, but I've always had the sneaking suspicion that they subcontracted the washing part.

Happy to be corrected

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Do any of the sail makers actually do all the valeting themselves, granted they are likely to do the repairs, but I've always had the sneaking suspicion that they subcontracted the washing part.

Happy to be corrected

They all send them out to specialist contractors . The contractors have all the right size washing machine and driers.

 

[Poecheng]

We have found Sail Medic in Ipswich to be excellent on three occasions now - two of them rush jobs. Work is done to a high standard and with quality materials.

 

[Seashoreman]

They all send them out to specialist contractors . The contractors have all the right size washing machine and driers.

OUR TRADE PARTNERS | Tiptop Sail Laundry (tiptopsails.co.uk)
These seem to be one of the main sail cleaners in the country.
Type in your postcode for nearest agent.

 

[MoodySabre]

Do any of the sail makers actually do all the valeting themselves, granted they are likely to do the repairs, but I've always had the sneaking suspicion that they subcontracted the washing part.

Happy to be corrected

a few years ago Tiller Girl went to Gowans and photoed them washing sails flat on the sail loft floor. @tillergirl

 

[Cobra]

I have always used Advantage Sails in Brightlingsea, never had any issues with them! Fair pricing and a good job.

 

[Daydream believer]

Lonton & Gray, sailmakers, Southminster trading estate Burnham on Crouch.

 

[tillergirl]

a few years ago Tiller Girl went to Gowans and photoed them washing sails flat on the sail loft floor. @tillergirl

Yes, I dug out the images last night. I'll post them. Gowans have a bespoke set up for cleaning and drying them. Need to do the weekly NtM post first.

 

[tillergirl]

Here are a series of how Gowan clean sails. The photos were taken using Tiller Girl's sails for a photo-article in a future edition of East Coast Sailing. East Coast Sailing was an on-line magazine invented by the late Colin Jarman (who was instrumental for creating East Coast Pilot). Sadly Colin died before the article could be used.

1. Sail for an overnight soak - the product used was not disclosed because of its effectiveness and safety

Sails in for an overnight soak by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

2. Genoa laid out for hand wash

Genoa laid out for hand washing by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

3. Mainsail hung up and genoa for brush washing

Mainsail hung up and Genoa being brushed by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

4. Whoops - miss this, out of order - Removing the mainsail from overnight soak

Removing the mainsail from the overnight soak by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

5. Final rise

Final rinse for the Genoa, note properly draining floor by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

I was then allowed to take photos for the maintenance. I needed repairs to a batten pocket and a bit of the leech.

 

[miles from the sea]

We have found Sail Medic in Ipswich to be excellent on three occasions now - two of them rush jobs. Work is done to a high standard and with quality materials.

Agreed I would recommend them- I have used them regularly for the past 8 years for new sails repairs valeting and storage

 

[Habebty]

Regarding the cleaning part, do most people find their sails come back any cleaner, or just folded nicely and smelling of bleach?