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Scott, contact Signature Yachts. They deal...
alot with Hunters and I think can point you in the right direction. Terry
alot with Hunters and I think can point you in the right direction. Terry
That's an Easy Question
One list I came up with is at: http://www.marinersguide.com/regions/northpacific/seattle.wa/lofts.html It also includes a few canvas companies but by looking at the name you can easily separate between the two. Includes addresses and phone numbers. Next "list" is to enter "seattle sail lofts" in Google and you get a number of related hits. By going down the list of hits one can esily spot home pages for some of the lofts. This list IS NOT all inclusive. If you go to Fisheries Supply the North loft is upstairs and the entrance is the next door to the right (or west). Quantum is upstairs over the Shilshole West Marine store. 6319 Seaview Ave NW. Loft EMail bpistay@quantumsails.com Tel 206.634.0636. http://www.quantumsails.com/lofts/loft.asp?RID=5&LID=31 To save yourself some money and get a better job, before you even talk to anyone it's highly advisable to get a digital picture of your sail looking up. Get the camera as close to the deck as possible, set for wide angle, and include the largest horizontal section from luff to leach you can get. The major lofts will put the picture on their computer and tell you exactly what your sail needs. Plan B is to just stretch the sail out in the loft and look at it but it won't give the loft as good a picture as the above technique. Idealy the loft would like a draft stripe but that's not a total requirement but it makes it easier to detect the shape and reduces error. If you know what loft you want to go with, and the sail doesn't have a draft stripe, it would be worth it to have one put on and then get the picture. Be sure to check for bolt rope shrinkage on the luff.
One list I came up with is at: http://www.marinersguide.com/regions/northpacific/seattle.wa/lofts.html It also includes a few canvas companies but by looking at the name you can easily separate between the two. Includes addresses and phone numbers. Next "list" is to enter "seattle sail lofts" in Google and you get a number of related hits. By going down the list of hits one can esily spot home pages for some of the lofts. This list IS NOT all inclusive. If you go to Fisheries Supply the North loft is upstairs and the entrance is the next door to the right (or west). Quantum is upstairs over the Shilshole West Marine store. 6319 Seaview Ave NW. Loft EMail bpistay@quantumsails.com Tel 206.634.0636. http://www.quantumsails.com/lofts/loft.asp?RID=5&LID=31 To save yourself some money and get a better job, before you even talk to anyone it's highly advisable to get a digital picture of your sail looking up. Get the camera as close to the deck as possible, set for wide angle, and include the largest horizontal section from luff to leach you can get. The major lofts will put the picture on their computer and tell you exactly what your sail needs. Plan B is to just stretch the sail out in the loft and look at it but it won't give the loft as good a picture as the above technique. Idealy the loft would like a draft stripe but that's not a total requirement but it makes it easier to detect the shape and reduces error. If you know what loft you want to go with, and the sail doesn't have a draft stripe, it would be worth it to have one put on and then get the picture. Be sure to check for bolt rope shrinkage on the luff.
John, I know the question was easy
it's the answer thats difficult. (joke) Anyway, what loft would you head to first? Do I take the photos on my back under the boom? Scott
it's the answer thats difficult. (joke) Anyway, what loft would you head to first? Do I take the photos on my back under the boom? Scott
Photos
With regard to the photos, basically they would like to see as much of the sail as possible. If you use a digital camera you don't have to worry about wasting film so, for the head sail, puting the camera on deck and winging it would be a good way to get maximum sail area. It may take a dozen photos to get one that you like but it's easy to delete the ones you don't. The Main you could get fine photos just by geting down low and shooting up. Certainly under the boom should be easy. The nice thing about digital photos is you can e-mail them to the loft. Preferences? Don't really have any. Shattauer (across the street from West Marine at Shilshole in the old Crows Nest store, just over the tracks) has a good reputation and do really quality work but I'd put them more into the blue-water category. Their dad was a sailmaker so that makes them second generation. They will build a sail that will last and have excellent attention to detail. If you want sail repair supplies this is the place to go. North - they're set-up to check the sail electronically. Just e-mail them your photos. Quantum - ditto with North. They're hustlers. Deal with a lot of racers (not that North doesn't). Lidgard - They're down there in Freemont near Adobe, at least they were a couple years ago. Got a storm jib from them. Loft is run by a Kiwi and they communicated with a office in New Zealand via computer. Sobstad - another loft that hustles. And there are several other good lofts around that I've talked to but can't remember the details. Personally, for a recut, I think it's as much of a personal relationship as anything. If the person you talk to communicates well and is sincere about your baby (the old rag sail), go with them. My feeling is once the sail has been recut you aren't that far away from a new sail. If the first one went, say, 10 years, the recut might get you another 3,4, or so years. It'll be better than it was but not equal to new but the good thing is you'll have time to shop around.
With regard to the photos, basically they would like to see as much of the sail as possible. If you use a digital camera you don't have to worry about wasting film so, for the head sail, puting the camera on deck and winging it would be a good way to get maximum sail area. It may take a dozen photos to get one that you like but it's easy to delete the ones you don't. The Main you could get fine photos just by geting down low and shooting up. Certainly under the boom should be easy. The nice thing about digital photos is you can e-mail them to the loft. Preferences? Don't really have any. Shattauer (across the street from West Marine at Shilshole in the old Crows Nest store, just over the tracks) has a good reputation and do really quality work but I'd put them more into the blue-water category. Their dad was a sailmaker so that makes them second generation. They will build a sail that will last and have excellent attention to detail. If you want sail repair supplies this is the place to go. North - they're set-up to check the sail electronically. Just e-mail them your photos. Quantum - ditto with North. They're hustlers. Deal with a lot of racers (not that North doesn't). Lidgard - They're down there in Freemont near Adobe, at least they were a couple years ago. Got a storm jib from them. Loft is run by a Kiwi and they communicated with a office in New Zealand via computer. Sobstad - another loft that hustles. And there are several other good lofts around that I've talked to but can't remember the details. Personally, for a recut, I think it's as much of a personal relationship as anything. If the person you talk to communicates well and is sincere about your baby (the old rag sail), go with them. My feeling is once the sail has been recut you aren't that far away from a new sail. If the first one went, say, 10 years, the recut might get you another 3,4, or so years. It'll be better than it was but not equal to new but the good thing is you'll have time to shop around.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend has a couple of small, quality sailmakers--Port Townsend Sails, and Northwest Sails. I've met them, and though I didn't have work for them at the time, I recommend you check them out.
Port Townsend has a couple of small, quality sailmakers--Port Townsend Sails, and Northwest Sails. I've met them, and though I didn't have work for them at the time, I recommend you check them out.
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