Sailmakers

[MUS]

Having ordered new sails for the coming season at the beginning of December I rang to check if they were nearing completion, only to be told that they were still waiting to receive the measurements! The current completion date is now looking like the beginning of June, not April as I had originally asked.

Is this normal? I had thought that sailmakers were like tailors in that they measure, design and produce. I am now facing a large delay due to this mis-understanding as to who was providing the measurements.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://groups.msn.com/Limboyachts

 

[charles_reed]

You shouldn't tar all with the same brush. No not my experience of sailmakers.

2 points though:

1. Why didn't you supply the figures?
2. Have you yet paid your deposit? If not didn't that excite suspicions.

In any case order to delivery on Far east manufactured sails is just under 6 weeks.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[dickh]

It is normal for you to supply the measurements unless it was agreed they visit and take them. This they will sometimes do if on their doorstep.
My friends ordered a new genoa from Kemps at the LBS and were told they had to have the measurements by a certain date or else it would slip in the manufacturing schedule.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Evadne]

Whenever I've got a quote for sails the company has been happy with me providing the class of yacht (in this case Elizabethan 29, not that common) and in fact Rockall (now Arun) provided me with the measurements from their database. I guess if your yacht isn't a published class/design this might not be the case.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MUS]

Ordered the sails and paid the deposit at the beginning of December. The sailmaker agreed to arrange measurement of my boat, and indeed already held data for the class as this was one of the reasons I went to them in the first.

They also promised delivery in April.

Anyway, I rang the boatyard where I keep my boat on Saturday, and they took and faxed the measurements to the Sailmaker's within three hours.

I just wish I had known nothing was happening three months ago.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://groups.msn.com/Limboyachts

 

[vyv_cox]

I suspect there to be an element of "you get what you pay for" here, although I was under the impression that a database of sail measurements existed for virtually all recognised designs.

When I bought my new sails from Hood, certainly not the cheapest, the boat was measured in Holland before the sails were made. Detail such as the tack and head connections, reefing arrangements, genoa clew angle and much besides were all noted. On completion their specialist came to fit them and make sure that all was well. He offered to come out for a test sail but in the event we could not fit this visit into our schedule.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MUS]

Happy ending!

I've had a result!

The sailmakers have come through in the end and are starting work on my sails today! Roll on the new season.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://groups.msn.com/Limboyachts

 

[qsiv]

I've always supplied the measurements. More than that, the sailmaker has always wanted to know wher and how the boats is used.

The new boat (for next season), will have two different mains for differing conditions (inshore /offshore), and also two different No1 headsails (rougher/calmer sea conditions). I've never been gaced with the task of ordering a full suit of sails (rather than just replacing the odd one here and there), and the choices are quite daunting. At least the sailmaker is likely to come over from the US to do a race series to help optimise the set up.

<hr width=100% size=1>