Sails hard to buy

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jezjez

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Does anyone know why when I rang to 2 seperate well-known east coast sailmakers on tuesday to ask for a new mainsail both said they would call back to discuss my needs and niether have as yet?
They must be very wealthy, lazy, busy, don't care????
 
I had that from a well known sailmaker on the East Coast - north of you - and after four days after I had just about given up, I did get a call back. I got the impression that there was only one 'qualified' person at the place. That said, I got it sorted, quickly and well, thereafter - cruising chute that is.
 
Have you tried Jeckells?

Maybe that's the one "north of you" mentioned by Tillergirl, but I would be surprised. In our experience, they are good people to deal with and they have recently made us an excellent new mainsail and genoa at very reasonable cost. The sails are made in their own loft at Wroxham, not farmed out to the far east. The boat is transformed.

For gaffers, if you want true craftsmanship I recommend Stephen Hall at North Sea sails in Tollesbury. Not only is Stephen a fine sailmaker, he is also a thoroughly nice man and one of great integrity. He works alone and is in ever greater demand, so you might have to wait, but it will be worth it.
 
Re: Have you tried Jeckells?

I actually wanted it for next year so I'm in no hurry.
I haven't tried Wroxham.
It's bermudan sloop (Hillyard 9 ton).
May I ask what a reasonable cost was? Roughly is fine.
 
Re: Have you tried Jeckells?

Sorry, had to go into town - yes that was Jeckells. Don't get me wrong, I am entirely delighted with the service and sail once I made contact with the right person, I was just a little surprised that it took several days for someone to get back to me with a rather vague 'did you ring about a cruising chute?' But thereafter, the service was excellent and very quick.

Cost of a new mainsail - paid £758 less 15% discount in 1992. Sorry can't really help jezjez more than that. Quite fun being measured for a suit of sails although I have to confess that I didn't know TG well enough. If I did (do?) it again, I shall change some things, particularly about maximising size which I was a little cavalier about back in 1992. That was a Valiant mainsail not Jeckells who made the original and still quite serviceable 1964 suit. None of the new stuff matched the No 1 jib and main working well together but then that's the compromise of headsail reefing which did at least return the forecabin to the crew. I used to have 3 jibs, ghoster, storm jib (heavy cotton canvas - still in use) and the spinnaker (still in use - you can tell its me cos the colours run and they don't cutt them in that fashion anymore!!). Actually its a lie to say I use the storm jib. Every moment of my planning is designed to aviod using it!!!

My wife is demanding to know why I haven't gone to the baot when the rolls are made and the flash ready so must leap on the bike and cycle down the road! Kinda neat to be on board within 15 minutes if you catch the launch timing right....

I've heard good things about North Sails as well and then there's Gowans here at West Mersea as well who have a good reputation.
 
Re: Have you tried Jeckells?

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry, had to go into town - yes that was Jeckells. Don't get me wrong, I am entirely delighted with the service and sail once I made contact with the right person, I was just a little surprised that it took several days for someone to get back to me with a rather vague 'did you ring about a cruising chute?' But thereafter, the service was excellent and very quick.



[/ QUOTE ]

I'm smiling..... Your experience was like ours. Admin and communication seems to be all over the place, but value and quality are excellent. I know several people with similar stories, but all are delighted with their sails.

Chris Jeckell seems to be the king pin but he may be overstretching himself. He's a another thoroughly nice man and very knowledgeable and helpful. Also very honest - they won't take you for a ride. All in all, despite hitches, I heartily recommend Jeckells.

Sorry, JezJez - our sails came in a total package with new masts (from Z Spars) and headsail reefing gear. The whole project was organised by Jeckells and the value for money was very good, but I might have a problem dissecting out the specific costs for the sails. However, we did do price comparisons and Jeckells came out very well.
 
Re: Have you tried Jeckells?

IMO Sailmakers are one of the last great bastions of traditional boat supplies. They work on their own timescales, and on a relational basis. You need to get alongside them and make friends. Not like ordering a toaster from Argos, more like having a hand crafted cabinet made for you.

Takes a bit of getting used to, but they're all professionals who enjoy their jobs.
 
Re: Have you tried Jeckells?

I have just had a complete suit of sails made for my Lugger - a total of 1200 square feet by Steven at North Sea Sails.

I am in awe of the workmanship in them, they are magnificent. All hand finished, the forlug and mizzen lug roped all round.

I had to wait a while for them to be finished but without doubt the wait was worth while, its hard to imagine how much graft all those rat tail splices and whipped reefing pennants to say nothing of the beautifully made cringles etc took to make.

I must also say that of all the quotes I got his was the cheapest so he must be working for practically nothing.

Mike
 
Nobby sails

[ QUOTE ]
I have just had a complete suit of sails made for my Lugger - a total of 1200 square feet by Steven at North Sea Sails.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm smiling again. I was in the loft talking to Stephen recently and asked him what he had spread out on the floor.

"Complete suit for a Manx nobby....."

He listens to Irish traditional music while he works. That must be a good sign. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Or, rather, lugger

Its a pity I cant work out how to post a picture of here on here, she looks fantastic with the new rig and I have a couple of great pictures of her.

Please pass on to Steve my best wishes if you see him again - I have never met him but he certainly is a man committed to his art!

Mike
 
Will do

I see him pretty often. A fine sailmaker and a fine man. He will be delighted to know (as I'm sure he does already) how pleased you are with the sails. There isn't a mean or money grubbing bone in his body - just a love of what he does and of getting it RIGHT!
 
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