Sailmakers, eh!

[zoidberg]

They're an odd bunch.

In my limited experience they all seem to take a rather elastic view of commitments and client instructions.

There was the Hamble-based fellow who delivered a friend's new spinnaker 3 months after the race for which it was wanted..... but ordered six months before the race. There was the Avon-based one who took in 3 sails for valet and simple winter maintenance in September, returned them untouched in May, and still wanted paying 'for storing them'. There was the Devon bunch who took in 5 sails to inspect, advise and repair as deemed necessary who then replaced ALL the piston hanks with new plated brass piston hanks - including the sail slides on a trisail. What about the national-name lot who took an order for 3 replacement sails at one Boat Show, and managed to deliver just 1 sail by the time of the next Boat Show - and that quite wrong in several regards. Then the other Devon bunch who were happy to discuss needs twice by telephone, yet when a prospective client drove 140 miles by appointment to finalise details and place an order, they decided they didn't really want to do that kind of sail after all. And the Solent representative of an international brand who sought prior agreement to a quotation-price before he would discuss size, shape and materials.....

Have those stalwarts who used to do what they agreed to do, and when they said they would.... all now retired? Or am I pining for a Golden Age that just never existed...?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

My personal dealings have been relatively blessed, in comparison. Sanders delivered our last set (XOD) in good order and on the day we agreed. They set well, worked well. Prior to that, had various sails from Batt. Can’t say his timekeeping was top knotch, but not shockingly late, and the result was well worth the wait. This year, I have been trying to get a new jib made. That has proved not as simple as one would like. In the end, we have given the job to the only people who answered the phone. The others quoted by email but were uncontactable. The field is narrowed by owning a performance multi, not everyone understands the demands.

 

[Derek ide]

I have had very good recent experience with Sanders sails of Lymington and Kemp sails in the past.

 

[Skylark]

Over many years I’ve used Boatshed in north Wales. I’ve bought sails, canvas, had repairs and valeting. Exemplary service at (relatively) reasonable pricing.

 

[Sandy]

I have a fantastic sailmaker, Frank Rowsell in Exmouth. A cracking new set of sails and several friends have had excellent service from him.

 

[FWB]

SKB Sails ~ New Sails, Sail Repairs, Covers, Awnings and Upholstery

 

[Crowblack]

Peter Sanders of Sanders Sails, answers the phone has an experienced consultative approach, cuts and makes the sails themselves, first class quality at an affordable price and in my experience delivers when they say they will. Plus despite me being in the East he sent someone to measure the boat - main, genoa and stakpak.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I never had problems with Arun sails but it was several years ago that I last used them.

 

[sailingmartin]

Another satisfied customer of Sanders Sails. Over the past five years have had a Code Zero, 130 Genoa, full stack pack, staysail and a new mainsail. Plus a new sprayhood. I have also had sails cleaned and repaired. Went to Lymington for measurement for some, for others Peter Sanders visited the boat. Excellent service and reasonable price. New sails really make a difference to the boat!

 

[alahol2]

Agree with everything said about Sanders.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Agree with everything said about Sanders.

They do appear to be coming out on top. And they have a picture of me on their web site, fame at last!

 

[Jonny A]

I am yet another very satisfied Sanders Sails customer. Can't recommend them highly enough.

 

[ylop]

Zoidberg, if your anecdotes are representative then there seems to be an ideal opportunity for a new entrant to sweep into the market and win through basic customer service. In this part of the world there are two firms who seem to be well regarded and I’ve not heard any horror stories - would be much harder to displace them from their loyal, happy, customer base.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I ordered 2 new sails from North. They got them both irretrievably wrong and had to start again. It took 18 months to get them. They said that they would upgrade the replacement set to compensate for the delay, but then reneged on that promise. Never again.

The previous set from Goacher were right first time and ready when they said they would be.

 

[jamie N]

Zoidberg, if your anecdotes are representative then there seems to be an ideal opportunity for a new entrant to sweep into the market and win through basic customer service. In this part of the world there are two firms who seem to be well regarded and I’ve not heard any horror stories - would be much harder to displace them from their loyal, happy, customer base.

Where is that?

 

[[3889]]

Agree with everything said about Sanders.

Never dealt with Sanders myself but been on a couple of boats where Pete came aboard for measuring. Very impressed with thoroughness and explanation of options and, even though there is a small price premium, Sanders will be my first port of call next time.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I ordered 2 new sails from North. They got them both irretrievably wrong and had to start again. It took 18 months to get them. They said that they would upgrade the replacement set to compensate for the delay, but then reneged on that promise. Never again.

The previous set from Goacher were right first time and ready when they said they would be.

Was that for your 920? I asked them to quote me, they came back with s quote for a sail that was too small, and didn’t make any further replies.

 

[Mataji]

Goacher got my new main wrong 1st time. He was mortified. Made another within a week. Always had excellent service there.

 

[alahol2]

Never dealt with Sanders myself but been on a couple of boats where Pete came aboard for measuring. Very impressed with thoroughness and explanation of options and, even though there is a small price premium, Sanders will be my first port of call next time.

There wasn't even any premium on his prices, in fact he was second cheapest. He was also the only sailmaker who agreed to make what I asked for without feeling the need to persuade me otherwise. After 1 / 2 seasons I can safely say that the sails are superbly cut and finished.

 

[Tranona]

Always had good service from Kemps - first bought sails and stackpack in 1992. The sails were still in use when ai sold the boat in 2019. Recently made sails for my Bavaria and now for my GH, as well as covers and sprayhood.