Before your sails are started, we need accurate measurements – because no matter how carefully a sail is cut, it’s no good if it doesn’t fit the boat. That’s why we’ll measure your boat when possible – and if it isn’t, and we’re working from figures you’ve supplied, we’ll aim to cross-check them against a sail plan to try and eliminate any possibility of error.
We will ask you to provide us with measurements from your boat, not your old sails, since they may have stretched in unpredictable ways. Other important factors include genoa track positions, so we can ensure the correct sheeting angle, tack positions and so on – see our measuring page for more detail. In short, we take every care to ensure that your new sails fit, perform and last.
Super Cruise
If you want no-nonsense, straightforward cruising sails without all the ‘bells and whistles’, our Super Cruise range is the perfect choice. We incorporate all the features you’re likely to need for coastal cruising – and, should you take part in the occasional club race, you’ll be surprised at the difference a new suit of sails can make.
Although they don’t have all the ‘go-fast’ features and higher-tech fabrics of some of our more expensive sail ranges, the shape built in by our computer-aided-design will ensure first-rate performance. Combine that with our careful selection of cloth – plus our top quality finishing – and you can be sure of efficient, easy-to-use and durable sails at a highly competitive price.
Full details of your sails’ specification will be shown on your quotation – and the features and extras for each of the sail ranges are as described on the relevant specification sheet, but here is an outline of what the Super Cruise range includes:
MAINSAILS: Cross-cut design with two reefs, luff and foot sliders (or bolt rope on either as a cost-free option), leech line, GRP/FRP battens in Velcro-retained pockets, telltales at each batten, hydraulically pressed rings, separate luff, leech and foot tapes, and robust sail bag.
HEADSAILS: Either a pre-stretched luff rope with bronze piston hanks, or a luff tape to suit a furler/foil. Cross-cut design with separate leech, luff and foot tapes, hydraulically pressed rings, telltales – and on furling sails Ultraviolet protective strip in a choice of colours and soft webbing head and tack tapes. Supplied in a robust sail bag.
CRUISING CHUTES: Radial panel layout with tough polyester luff tape, and nylon leech and foot tapes (all colour-coded). Hydraulically pressed rings. Triple-step stitched, anti-snag seams using UV-protected polyester thread. Side launching bag.
SPINNAKERS: All Radial designs, colour-coded corners, leech tapes and foot tapes. Head and clew labels. Sail numbers (if required). Triple stitched, anti-snag seams. Side launching bag.
Performance Cruising
At Kemp, we realise that just because you cruise, it doesn’t mean you’ve no interest in performance. After all, who enjoys being overtaken? Equally, many cruising sailors also take part in club racing and want sails with a built-in performance edge which will reward their competitive instincts.
That is why we offer our Performance Cruising range. When you race – or cruise further afield – you’re subjecting your sails to higher loads for longer periods than coastal sailors and this calls for a different approach from the sailmaker.
We use higher-tenacity yarns in certain areas for lower stretch and extra shape stability – plus, on the mainsails, features like metal clew sliders, heavy-duty rings and extra chafe reinforcement. Getting the best from your boat also means keeping an eye on sail trim, which is made easier with camber stripes and extra telltales.
And to give you maximum scope for shape adjustment according to the wind strength and point of sailing we include, on the mainsails, tapered battens, a luff cunningham, leech line cleats at each reef point and a leech flattener, together with reef ‘spectacles’ (rings on webbing straps) at the luff for easy attachment to the tack horns. Another feature you may wish to consider is a loose foot for optimum control of sail shape.
As for the choice of fabrics, much depends on the panel layout. We won’t recommend a fabric unless it’s the right one for the sail design which we believe is best suited to your boat and proposed use. Sometimes you have a choice – a more simply built sail for which a standard polyester woven is perfectly suitable, or a more complex panel layout which calls for specialised materials. In the latter case – particularly where laminated cloths are involved – we recommend our Performance Cruising Premium. These sails share the same features as our Performance Cruising range, but give you the option of a more sophisticated sail for the ultimate in long-lasting performance.
The Personal Touch
No generic specification can capture everybody’s requirements, and beyond our Performance Cruise specification, we offer the opportunity to personalise your sail in almost any way you want. Whether that’s Blue Water Cruising, or Arctic exploration, we can almost always do it.
Please enquire for details – we welcome the challenge!