Sails!

[uncas]

I took my last sail around the Choptank this weekend...Can't believe it was a Dec. weekend. Took the sails off and went down to store them and have them cleaned.
My sails are getting extremely old and I need to replace them. With so many sail makers or companies that refurbish sails these days, and with prices varying greatly, what sails sailmakers have you had the best luck with and why?
Nothing fancy...as I sail alone and Uncas is a wee tad old for ocean racing....don't need state of the art.
Thanks for suggestions
jamj

[Bark]

Yeah, Uncas, the weather around here has really been great. We had a gorgeous end-of-season sail in the Choptank a couple of weeks ago when I dropped Lotus off for some winter work (we even saw the aurora borealis!). Now I wish I'd delayed a few more weeks ... I can't help much with sailmaker suggestions. I've had good luck with repairs and such at Potomac Sailmakers in Alexandria. Or you could talk to the nice folks at Bacon's in Annapolis if you want to go the used sail route. Good luck.

[uncas]

Thanks Bark!
Still not sure which way to go...Bacon's is on my list for possible used sails...New...that is the question.
Need a new spinnaker....The one I have has to be at least thirty years old...

[ 12-08-2004, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: uncas ]

[bamamick]

My sailmaker is Hunter Riddle at Schurr Sails in Pensacola. They are very good at making sails for traditional sailplans (they have made sails for many of the schooners on the Gulf coast and make all of the Fish Class sails). They also make most of the sails used in the Flying Scot class and make a ton of offshore sails. They offer very good quality, reliability (if they tell you something they mean it), and their prices are usually well below what the 'name' sailmakers charge. They have made sails for several of my boats, and are cutting my Dragon sails now.

For used sails I have friends who have used Masthead in St.Pete. It used to be run by a guy named Doug Weatherby who sailed out of St.Pete YC, but I haven't been down there in a few years so I'm not certain.

You can do searches on both of these places to find out more. At least it's a different alternative.

Mickey Lake

[Venchka]

Grant Gambell & Brad Hunter. They have made 2 suits of sails for me. Great sails and great guys.

http://www.gambellandhunter.com/mast2.gif

Gambell & Hunter (http://www.gambellandhunter.com/)

Wayne
In the Swamp. :D

[Gary Bergman]

I've used many 'name' manufacturers, but now my main and all of my heads'ls come from Canada...better rate, the sail loft does 'traditional' well, and I don't have to deal with Taiwan...Soper Sail Loft, Kingston, Ont. Canada...Also considerin' them for new squares.....

http://www.privateerinc.org/images/222.jpg

[ 12-08-2004, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Gary Bergman ]

[uncas]

Bump!
thanks for the suggestions so far...A bit far away from the mid Atlantic coast...Anyone else have any favorites say in VA., MD., DE.?

[JimConlin]

Try Stuart Hopkins at Dabbler Sails (http://www.dabblersails.com/) in Wicomico Church, VA.

He did the sails for Ben Fuller's boat and they're very fine.

[Magwitch]

James Lawrence Sailmakers
22-28 Tower St
Brightlingsea
Essex
CO7 0AL
UK
T. +44 (0)1206 302863
F. +44 (0)1206 305858

Traditional sail expert.
Jim, or these days Mark Butler his son in law, make my sails. very good sails, and they are well used to exporting.

IanW

[ 12-09-2004, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: Magwitch ]

[martin schulz]

Originally posted by Magwitch:
James Lawrence Sailmakers
22-28 Tower St
Brightlingsea
Essex
CO7 0AL
UK
T. +44 (0)1206 302863
F. +44 (0)1206 305858

Traditional sail expert.
Jim, or these days Mark Butler his son in law, make my sails. very good sails, and they are well used to exporting.

IanWTrue! But it seems like Jimmy rather plays the harmonica and takes care of the Smack Preservation berth nowadays. But Mark makes great sails. He just flew to Hamburg last year and made a whole set of sails for a traditional fishcutter, and the people there are very much satisfied with the sails.

[ 12-09-2004, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: martin schulz ]

[Magwitch]

True, 'though Jim also charters his bawley Saxonia and is in demand as Skipper for Barge matches. smile.gif The sail loft does just as good a job under Mark as it did when Jim was day to day boss. I have not yet found a good reason to try elsewhere. If I did they would be deeply offended. smile.gif

IanW

[ 12-09-2004, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: Magwitch ]