Lugsail makers

[Ted Cody]

I'm building MYST by Don Kurylko (http://www.dhkurylko-yachtdesign.com/), which is an 18 foot beach cruiser with a standing lug yawl rig.

Before too long, I'm going to need to start thinking about sails. Can anyone give me some recommendations on sailmakers with experience in this rig?

Thanks

PS: I live on the west coast of New England (Vermont).

[Thorne]

Depends on how much you are willing to spend, my friend.

;0 )

For topnotch sails you could try to hornswaggle Todd Bradshaw into making one up, or perhaps another sail loft with experience in lugsails.

For cheaper sails, depending on the size and shape, it is possible that Duckworks might carry something really close for one of the boats designs they offer sails for like Welsford and Michalak -
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/sails.htm

They also do custom sails, but I've never talked to anyone who has bought from them..

[Bill Perkins]

I would talk to Dabbler Sails . Stuart made a very nice spritsail for me ,and understands other traditional rigs as well .

[Rick Starr]

Plus one for Dabbler and Stuart Hopkins. Still very pleased years later.

[landlocked sailor]

Douglas Fowler in Ithaca, NY also does nice work. He has made several sails for me including a lugsail for my Acorn. He advertizes in WB
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid134/pd746a713ee88d2720b7863958d6cfd2a/f77a70cd.jpg
Rick

[Wes White]

Dabbler .

[erster]

Gamble and Hunter in Maine is as good as it gets.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I'm out of the running on this one because that main is bigger than anything that I build these days (find a niche in the market, fill it and stay there) but all the guys mentioned so far could do the job well. I don't know about the Duckworks Sails, though it's usually a far better plan to stick with the sails that were designed specifically for the boat in question. Unless you have some experience re-designing rigs, you might saddle yourself with more problems than you originally planned on.

It should also go without saying that you pretty much get what you ask for. All these people can build various levels of the same plan, from plain white, basic simple constructions to classy traditional versions that use fancier fabrics, narrow panels, traditional cuts, maybe some hand-sewn trim and which involve much more labor. From 100 feet away, folks aren't going to see the quality of your varnish job, but they will certainly see the sails and how they're put together. If you want a certain, traditional look or level of fancywork, make sure you and the sailmaker are on the same page.

...and avoid the big production lofts. They make some nice sails, but they aren't known for (or particularly interested in)....(or in some cases good at) one-off traditional-looking sails (and they usually aren't any cheaper). Check the back of WoodenBoat for those little ads for traditional sailmakers. Those are the types of lofts which will do the best job for what you have in mind.

[Woxbox]

That's a Dabbler up there, top left, on my Whisp. Very pleased. The sail came with some very good advice on using it, too.

[Ted Cody]

Thanks a lot for the advice, guys. That should give me something to go on.