Superb service

[BlueChip]

We'd been laid up on the hard at Portland Marina for a few weeks for the annual polish. Its the second time we've been there and its really refreshing how friendly and accommodating the locals workers are after some recent experiences at Solent yards.
One workshop even lent me a digital micrometer to make a measurement, cannot imagine that happening on the Hamble!

I needed some some minor repair stitching doing to my sail cover and spray hood and the local sail maker Moatt Sails at Portland carried out the repairs while I waited and at low cost. While I was there I mentioned that I had shredded my spinnaker last season but that it wasn't worth repairing, they said to drop it in for a quote.

I had previously received two other repair quotes - one from a large and the second from smaller South Coast sail makers, both quotes were around the £1,000 mark plus tax. and I had already decided the repair wasn't economic and was looking out for a replacement on eBay where the going rate for a spinnaker is around £500

I took the sail in and they got it out in front of me and worked out what needed to be done. I was amazed to hear that the repair cost would be well under half the previous lowest cost quote and that they could complete the work within three days, this was perfect for us as we were leaving for the West Country at the end of that week.

The repair was completed on time and I was charged less than they had quoted because the job had taken less time than they thought. We used the spinnaker late last week on a great downwind sail across Lyme Bay

What great service from a small enthusiastic team at Moatt Sails who really deserve to do well, I highly recommend them to all forumites.

I have no connection with them other than a very satisfied customer etc etc.

 

[Bajansailor]

I shall endorse BlueChip's accolade for Moatt Sails in Portland - we spent a few days there on Idea repairing our spinnakers after trashing them while sailing from Barbados up to the Azores.

Steve Moatt very kindly let us have the run of his sail loft (including sewing machine and even coffee) after hours for a few evenings for a very modest hourly rate, with materials used at cost.
Idea's skipper is also an accomplished sailmaker, hence perhaps why Steve was happy to let Clint use his machine.
But Steve could equally have said that he and his partner would do the repairs themselves, obviously for a greater fee.

Here are the Idea lads involved in kite fixing - it is only a small loft, and one of our sails filled it.......