What company would you buy your sails from?

purplerobbie

purplerobbie

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To all the rival owners out there
If you where buying new sails for your rival what company would you go to?

For everyone else
Who would you recommend?

Rob
 
Not a Rival owner so generic thoughts only.

1. Sandersons? So successful he doesn't have to advertise...

2. Otherwise Crusader make their own.

3. Or tout round reputable lofts, most of whom seem to source from China nowadays, we are told.

The most important thing is to know exactly what spec you want. Also price the whole package - including how many reefing points, weight and quality of cloth, etc etc.

Whenever I have bought new sails, I have had a long discussion with the sail loft about what is appropriate for my needs. I have not been dissappointed yet.
 
Just had sails made, in Bosham not Far East, by Arun sails. Brilliant service, believe me!

PS nit for a Rival.
 
Yes. I have been happy with the genoa I bought from Arun several years ago and last year they cleaned and overhauled it at a very reasonable price.

One thing I think is important - use someone local, if possible. Then, if anything is wrong, the sailmaker can come on board and see the problem.
 
Another vote for Arun/Rockall.
They are not the best for go faster racing sails , But Really know how to make good cruising sails that will keep a reasonable shape after a years of use.
AND... They were within thier quoted price and delivered BEFORE the day they promised
 
I've just bought a new main from Sanders in Lymington - they came highly recommended to me and likewise I would highly recommend to others.

Cheers

Mark
 
Kemps sails made a new set for our last boat and I was very pleased with the product and especially the service. I was converting from a behind the mast furling system to a traditional main with stack pack, and they gave me excellent advice for work which they werent even involved in.

Sanders are very local to me now, and have an excellent reputation so I shall go there in the future.
 
I think the far east competition has forced Uk sailmaker to sharpen up their act and it seems all now offer good service. As the article in the YM said a number now order in the sails from the far east and effectively offer a measurement/far east liasion/fitting service.

I got various quotes and ended up with John Channon (ex Hood sails) who admits that his sails are Bainbridge quality cloth (or what you specify) but are manufactured in the far east. He measured the boat thoroughly, arranged for the new Ronstan cars and a special mast gate, fitted the sails and so far they are excellent and a fraction of the price of UK made sails.

As its a charter boat they will get heavy use and reveal any faults long before most owners would discover them but then the crap standard sails only lasted 3 years and were baggy after 9 months so anything has got to be better than them!!
 
Dissappointed with National Sail - Rolly Tasker

Bought a genoa and mainsail from National sail last August. Sail arrived with unexplained creases and pin holes. No satisfaction from National Sail. With less than 40 hours on the sails, seams are letting loose. Pictures are available.
 
crossword said:
Bought a genoa and mainsail from National sail last August. Sail arrived with unexplained creases and pin holes. No satisfaction from National Sail. With less than 40 hours on the sails, seams are letting loose. Pictures are available.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum

Rather odd using a 4 year old thread to make a complaint about a supplier. The forum is about exchanges of ideas and information, not a medium for airing complaints that are best dealt with direct with the supplier.

If you want help dealing with your problems, perhaps better if you ask whether anybody else has had dealings with the supplier.

Use a new thread, not attach it to an old one.
 
Bought from hydes a couple of years ago, specified a club race standard and got a good set of sails that were made to dimensions the hyde rep himself took so no come back on me if incorrect. Excellent service and quality.
Previous boat was a 1920's design,wood mast and bowspri etc, Jeckells gave me excellent service and good advise on how to set up the rather quirky rig. They seem to be better for traditional rigs. BTW no connection to either firm.
 
I've said this before, before choosing a sailmaker choose the cloth first There are at least three types of cloth available each of different quality and most sailmakers only use one type of cloth. To be specific glue is cheap and fibre is expensive, the cheaper the sail the more glue it will have in it and it will stretch faster. Contact a number of sailmakers and get a cloth sample. Use a magnifying glass and a bright light behind the cloth, you will see the differences immediatley. Also get a sample of Hood cloth it has the highest percentage by far of fibre compared to any other cloths. Bear in in mind it's a buyer's market.
 
My sails are 11 years old and still in very good condition and shape, average use I guess, 8000 miles logged and we sail in up to about 25knts (unless caught out), boat goes well to windward, Sanders in Lymington. (not Rival boat)
 
Be careful with offshore sail purchases

Recently purchased a brand new set of sails through National Sails in US - Rolly Tasker in Thailand. Sails were unfortunately defective from the get go. Unexplained pin hole creases in the material and now the seams are letting lose. Pics available. National Sails just blew us off after recieving no support from Rolly Tasker. Think twice before you do not deal locally.
 
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