The Sailloft Business

[Brad]

Bill-I've been thinking (at this point, dreaming really)of a career change that involves a loft. I live in Puget Sound and there are many small and big name lofts around. To put you in the role of career counselor, rather than sail consultant, I have a couple of questions about becomeing a sailmaker. I've fooled around with my own sails enough to know how little I know, despite a pretty good sail and rigging library. Is entry limited to an apprenticeship? Is there omething akin to Franchises for the various big names, such as doyle or North. What I've read so far points to a rather depressing method of becoming a sailmaker-- you either have to have been concieved between sheets of sail cloth or are on a first name basis with all of the top racers. I'm neither. So what are the alternative paths that can lead to sailmaking?brad

 

[Bill Colombo]

Sailmaking

Brad, Sailmaking can be a rewarding career. While it is certainly not at the top of the food chain in terms of income, it can be a great lifestyle for someone who loves sailing. It is also a business with all the ups and downs that are associated with such enterprises. Many people get into sailmaking at an early age performing basic sailmaking tasks at a local loft as a part-time or summer job. In countries such as Australia apprenticeships are the primary way people get started. Computer skills are important if you want to get into sail design. Some sail designers have Naval Architecture degrees. If you are determined to become a sailmaker the best thing to do would be to get a job at a local loft and aquire the basics skills needed to produce sails. At that point you can decide whether to move up within that company, join another one, or possibly start your own loft. Franchises are available through some of the loft networks, but in general they are looking for experienced potential franchisees.Thanks,Bill ColomboDoyle Sailmakers