Sad news -- Stuart Hopkins (Dabbler Sails) passed away

[dbp1]

I had either the last or perhaps second or third last set of sails made by Stuart. I don't know any details, but the sails were mailed by a neighbor a little while ago as he was in the hospital, and I had been meaning to contact him to check on how he was doing, and to figure out what I owed for the shipping / balance on the sails. Today I was contacted by someone managing his estate to let me know he had passed away.

I think, over the years, he's made sails for quite a few people on this forum... (that's certainly how I found him).

[Brian Palmer]

That is very unfortunate. Condolences to his friends and family.

[StevenBauer]

Sad news. RIP, Stuart.

[Ben Fuller]

Sorry to hear it. I'm one with a set of his sails. He was one of the few that understood little odd boats and rigs.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Sad news indeed. There aren't many with the knowledge and desire to build sails for traditional boats and get it right, or who can afford to do it, because the pay isn't great when compared to the time it takes. He will be missed.

[The Jeff]

That is sad news. I've always enjoyed perusing his website and I saw he was working on sails for an Apple and wondered if they were yours. I kind of hoped he'd keep living forever to share his knowledge.

[dbp1]

Yes — those are my sails — they look great though I haven’t finished the spars yet so I’ve only looked at them spread out on the ground.

[Woxbox]

Sorry to hear this.. He made the balanced lug for my Whisp and, of course, knew exactly what was needed.

[gray duck]

he made my Shellback sail. Rest in peace and sail in heaven, Sir.

[Clinton B Chase]

Really unfortunate, he really got it and was such a craftsman.

[Bill Perkins]

I've got a sail of his on my Ducker. He definitely understood the boomed spritsail. He worked with me to make the best match to my spars ; having me check how much the boom and sprit deflected under a given weight . RIP

[WI-Tom]

Sad news for sure. I have a Stuart Hopkins sail on my boat--a beautiful piece of work. And he was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable with small boat sails and rigging. A class act.

Tom

[EyeInHand]

Sad indeed. I got to know Stuart and his wife Dee a little. We had a shared history in publishing, and I spent summers on the Northern Neck of Virgina where they lived. He did not cultivate company, but loved his work and the little boating community of oddballs we seem to be. Thought of himself as a bit of a quirky oddball himself. He will be missed in many ways.

With much cajoling, he finally agreed to let my pay them a visit when I picked up my Melonseed sails, and to post some photos, in exchange for a little personal project I did for them back then.

Dabbler Sails

[UCanoe_2]

I've got a sail of his on my Ducker. He definitely understood the boomed spritsail. He worked with me to make the best match to my spars ; having me check how much the boom and sprit deflected under a given weight . RIP

Sad to see such a great craftsman and a real gentleman cross the bar. He gave great instructions for measuring spar deflection, and made a beautiful sail last year for my still incomplete boat. It was a privilege and a blessing to be his customer.

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