BruceDanforth
Well-Known Member
Very pleased with Jeckells.
Which sailmaker?
- Thread starter jcpa
- Start date
Seajet
...
Neal,
I know your sailing background, so can only think yes there must have been a problem with your sails or order.
However let me put it this way; I see a loft I have used for years and had nothing but good results from being run down, while in the same thread people are singing the praises of comedy lofts - more like 'sometime sail outlet' in one case.
In the case of one of the lofts being praised, well I was once at an interview for a sailing job when this sailmaker was mentioned in passing; I automatically grimaced, and that got me the job !
When I see things like this and advice to 'come and have their man measure ones' boat' without saying anything about sort of boat, I have to wonder.
I'm sure you must have had a genuine problem, quite possibly the others too; I'd say over decades of sailmaking if all are 100% correct and the orders were chromium plated cockups that would still be an excellent success rate overall !
I have no connection with Westaways, I just can't help thinking it's easy to knock people, and business is tough enough at the moment.
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
I've dealt with Jeckells and Crusader for new sails over the past coupe of years (cruising chute from Jeckells and new genoa and main from Crusader). Both are excellent products, delivered quickly. In the case of Crusader, the main driver was price, which was about 15% less than the other folks I got quotes from. The sails are now into their second cruising season and are just what I expected. Crusader also took time to find out what I wanted the sails for - extended live aboard cruising - and quoted me for suitable sails and didn't try to persuade me to buy something more expensive that I didn't need.
No connections to either company, just a very happy customer.
No connections to either company, just a very happy customer.
dulcibella
Well-Known Member
The new main that Arun made for my Rustler is excellent - great improvement in design and performance from the original Gowen.
Rich_saunders
New Member
Neal,
Like yourself I come from a competitive dinghy racing background and moved into Cruiser racing. I own a competitive Mini Tonner and it is this boat I have exoperienced the issues.
Im not one to post a comment like my orignal post knowing the negative effect it can have on a small business but when you know what I went through Im sure you'd understand. My Inbox has been filled with similar cases from other members. Sounds to me you were a lucky one! Can I ask when you last purchased a sail from the said sailmaker?
Rich
Seajet
...
Rich,
looking at the context of your post, did you mean Neal or me ?
The last sail I bought from Westaways was a tri-radial chute about 3-4 years ago; all on time and cost, very pleased with the sail.
looking at the context of your post, did you mean Neal or me ?
The last sail I bought from Westaways was a tri-radial chute about 3-4 years ago; all on time and cost, very pleased with the sail.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I reckon most sails when first turned out of their nice new bags look and feel much the same, specification being equal. The discriminator is the service you get if the fit is not right, or the sail fails to draw as you expect and requires some recutting - then the real service company becomes apparent. I had such a problem last year, origin unkown, and Crusader went to it without a murmur and no follow-up invoice. That's why I'm writing this........
PWG
(customer only relationship with this company)
mcframe
Well-Known Member
Got half a dozen quotes for similar quality, discarded the cheapest and most expensive†, and went for one towards the bottom of the upper quartile 'cos a friend had some made by them.
(I know how /he/ buys things, and saw his sails new and after 2 seasons of quite hard use)
Worked for me - 5 years ago - I'd buy more from the same loft.
† Not quite restaurant wine theory, but similar idea ;-)
hrchivers
Well-Known Member
I emailed short list of who I thought were reputable sailmakers, plus the maker of the sails that were already on my boat, and I judged the response. I rejected those that said the equivalent of 'this is our standard cataloge number' and considered those that entered into a dialogue about my boat and sailing.
I ended up using Owen sails, who were patient and helpful in answering my questions; the resulting sails were excellent.
Ianqv
Well-Known Member
I'll third that...... I have NEVER experienced such shameful service!! - just for clarity westaway sails aka exchangesails.
Buyer beware!!!!!!!!
Barbican
Well-Known Member
+1 Really helpful advice about what would work best for my plans and great service thereafter. I also spent less on fewer sails than I originally asked about, so I think they were genuinely interested in supplying the best solution rather than generating the most income.
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
Jeckells made mine
here is the film of it being built
here is the sail first time out
I bought the cloth and swapped my labour for theirs
D
here is the film of it being built
here is the sail first time out
I bought the cloth and swapped my labour for theirs
D
laika
Well-Known Member
I think Kemps have sufficient reputation that they wouldn't be making it up. Maybe it was Birdham rather than Burnham maybe the boat has moved or changed names, or maybe it's just not known to mr. google? Like several others here I was very happy with my recently acquired kemp sails and Matt in the Gosport office is a pleasure to deal with. I definitely think having your sailmaker local is a good thing. You might also like to consider talking to Mark Flew at wicormarine. Highly recommended by a couple of people I know in Gosport with a reputation for excellent aftersales service.
http://www.flewsails.co.uk
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Habebty
Well-Known Member
Yes, they built the sails that came with my new boat ten years ago. The were superb sails, gave superb sailingerformance and still actually quite useable. However, after 8 years, I fancied a new suit, so took my existing sails to Southampton and said "can you do me another main and genoa to the same spec and cut please"
What I got back bore no resemblance to what I lent them to copy. No roach on the main - at all. This was changed for a new sail, so dealt with satisfactorily after about 3 months, but what a pain in the arse, considering they could have measured my sail and not used a later "standard cruising" cut for a differently rigged version of my boat.
The genoa came back with too thick a bolt rope, but I couldn't be arsed to send that back as well so had it quickly changed by the local chaps at Levington for not much money. Sailcloth seems thinner than original but how do you tell?
Probably will use Jeckells, wilkinsons, or Onesails at Levington next time.
My Jeckells cruising chute is pretty good.
TiggerToo
Well-Known Member
well, I am one of those who have had EXCELLENT service from Westaways (Ivybridge). I only had two sails a Genoa and a fully battened main. These were commissioned about 8 and 4 years ago, I think. Tigger is actively chartered and used as a sail training boat (in addition to serving us as a family cruiser). The sails were made and delivered exactly on time, at a very competitive price, they are still looking very good. I have them "serviced" (washed and valeted) by Westaways every year.
I have absolutely no idea what the issues other people have had, but the guys there have always treated me well and professionally. I have no reservations in recommending them whatsoever.
My only connection with them is as a customer.
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
I've said this many times before decide on the cloth you want before the sail maker. There are many different quality cloths that determine how long the sail will last and quality is based on the ratio of thread to glue. Thread is expensive glue is cheap, the more thread the is the longer the sail will last before stretching. Contact a number of sail makers and get samples of their cloth. Get a torch and a magnifying glass, put the torch under the cloth sample and use the manifyi9ng glass to see the threads, it's obvious which has more thread. The highest amount of thread is in Hood sails so if you want a comparison to the best then get a sample of that. Then choose the sail maker based on the quality you want.
archie
Active Member
When we bought our new sails (Kemp) we did it at the Southampton Boat Show.
we met all of the manufacturers listened to their spiel, took samples of their fabric and made the decision over a few pints of Guinness.
Its a really good way of comparing the market without doing lots of legwork.
we met all of the manufacturers listened to their spiel, took samples of their fabric and made the decision over a few pints of Guinness.
Its a really good way of comparing the market without doing lots of legwork.
pmagowan
Well-Known Member
Crusader sails did us well. very good service.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
You are way out of date with your simplistic view of materials. Look at the recent review of sail materials and construction in PBO if you want to move into the 21st century. There is ample information on the websites of the major sailmakers and sailcloth manufacturers to explain the different types of material and their suitability for particular applications. As usual there is no one perfect material and competing claims from different suppliers, but just looking at threads and glues will not help you choose the best option for your application.
Discuss your requirements with sailmakers, recognise that there is a wide choice of materials, cuts and of course prices and then make your choice.
Seajet
...
As this thread has been resurrected, let me make something clear !
When I first responded in defence of Westaway Sails, it was due to the true fact that I have always had very good sails and service from them.
Sadly, on reading other protracted threads more recently, it seems they are now indeed a firm to treat with a very long bargepole !!!
I hope they get their act together as they're a long established loft, and have / had a good database of various boat rigs; but I have to say I wouldn't chance my money with them after what I've read over the last year or two...
Funnily enough, in my days of dinghy racing and indeed buying sails for my A22 a few years ago, Arun ( who are local to me ) and Jeckells were regarded a joke in performance circles, but now seem to have good reputations !
When I first responded in defence of Westaway Sails, it was due to the true fact that I have always had very good sails and service from them.
Sadly, on reading other protracted threads more recently, it seems they are now indeed a firm to treat with a very long bargepole !!!
I hope they get their act together as they're a long established loft, and have / had a good database of various boat rigs; but I have to say I wouldn't chance my money with them after what I've read over the last year or two...
Funnily enough, in my days of dinghy racing and indeed buying sails for my A22 a few years ago, Arun ( who are local to me ) and Jeckells were regarded a joke in performance circles, but now seem to have good reputations !
