Sailmaker on the South Coast

[DoubleEnder]

It looks like I need a new main. It isn’t a big boat, sail is probably about 220 sq ft. I’d like it to look ‘classic’ so a cream coloured cloth. It does not need to be high performance, it’s not that kind of boat. So a fairly standard Dacron I guess.
Boat is based at Bursledon on the Hamble. I have had good service from Sanders in the past (different boat) but I’d be interested to hear if anyone’s got other recommendations. I’d like someone to come and measure so fairly local would be best.
Thank you

 

[ashtead]

I have used Peter at Sanders in past for a new Genoa and 2 cruising chutes (one on last Bav and one on our current Moody) however I recently had my jib and Genoa uv strips (we have double headsails) replaced by Kemp mainly due to recommendations from other owners and because they not only have main office down towards Poole but a satellite office in Gosport marina. I met with one of the kemp family at Gosport and in my dealings with him and others at their HO was impressed with professional approach and the reports they produced on my 10 year old sails by another maker not recommended beginning with E who mass supply to many manufactures. I am no expert in sailcloth but if it was available would use vectran which I think was once a Hood sailcloth. Anyway cloth is where you are at in price point and usage . I hate to think what a new main would cost us on a 12.8 m yacht today in vectran though. If not using Kemp it might be worth seeking to other owners of your vessel make if these exist. I would try to find a sailmaker you can go and speak to face to face like Peter if looking for other sources.

 

[Tranona]

Another vote for Kemps who have made a number of sails (and covers) for me over the last 30 years or so. Speak to Owain Peters at the Wareham loft who will talk you through the options and arrange measuring. Not sure if cream Vectran is still available as it was an old Hood cloth (I have a genos in it) but it will likely be expensive and a good Dacron is probably what will be recommended.

 

[Puffin10032]

Both Bainbridge and Challenge do cream coloured Dacron sailcloth (I'm not sure if DP or Contender do). As with all coloured cloths, there's a price premium over the same cloth in white/natural which will obviously be reflected in the overall price of the sail. On a more classic/traditional looking boat I think cream sails look fabulous but you do really need all the working sails to be cream for it work visually IMHO.

 

[DoubleEnder]

Both Bainbridge and Challenge do cream coloured Dacron sailcloth (I'm not sure if DP or Contender do). As with all coloured cloths, there's a price premium over the same cloth in white/natural which will obviously be reflected in the overall price of the sail. On a more classic/traditional looking boat I think cream sails look fabulous but you do really need all the working sails to be cream for it work visually IMHO.

Yes I agree. I have 3 headsails all in cream coloured cloth. The #1 and#2 jibs are pretty good, the genoa I’m less sure about. But there’s something to match to.