We bought Elektra (our Sadler 29 which was built in 1984) in November 2016, her sails had been replaced in 2003 by Jeckels, so were 13 years old. I knew in time they would need to be replaced again but there were other jobs which needed doing first.
We had ordered a new stack pack from Jeckels soon after the delivery passage in March 2017, it had taken Jeckels until August to delivery it and because of the delay the company had fallen out of favour with me.
Back in 2007 with our last yacht, l had Crusader Sails make a new mainsail for her and because of that great service l probably favored them. In 2022 l got quotes from 3 sail makers for a new set of sails. The quotes were very similar on price, and only because of the great service in the past did l go with Crusader Sails. The new Sails arrived the same day as Elektra was pulled out for the winter. The warranty was for 6 months, which they agreed to extend to 6 months from beginning of 2023 season.
During the winter 2022-23 Elektra had a major refit, new water tank, new black water tank, new solar frame and panels etc. So after Elektra was launched in 2023, with so much new to get used to, it took a while to properly look at the Sails, adding to this we quite often sail on just her genoa.
But l wasn’t impressed with the shape of the new mainsail, and said so to the chap in charge of sales. The modern computer designs put a wing shape into the sail, in principle it sounds great. But on our Sadler 29, the traveler is only as long as the companion way is wide. And heading into wind, the sail was so baggy, that the luff backs and there was no way of stopping it!
I tried to communicate this with Crusader Sails but they weren’t really interested in helping me to solve the problem. I don’t really complain, but l expect company’s to give good service but Crusader Sails didn’t.
Over the years, l have found don’t like looking at the sail, so much so, l almost never use it! As yacht owners we buy new Sails to replace old baggy Sails, but what Crusader Sails made a baggy sail to replace the old mainsail, which l think was better than the new one!
This season l have experimented and think l have found a way to make the sail work better, but this shouldn’t be needed!
It’s interesting that the Sadler 32s and 34s have travelers which are as wide as the cockpit
Love Sailing 