I commissioned Dick at R&J sails Clevedon to make this jibsail for the Longboat, and with all the necessary fittings and rope work I made up the kit for Orlando to fit to the boat this week when he arrived on the island. Yes, there were a few questions asked on what to do and how, but in the main it all went extremely well.
As I always say to people who ask about a good sail to purchase for their Drascombe boat, if you cut corners and buy ‘Cheap’ that is what you get, a lesser quality product. Dick’s sails are the best, great quality premium sailcloth, outstanding cutting and making up, and his knowledge and service is second to none. All my Luggers out here in the South Ionian Sea have R&J sails, be it the standard cut or the batten-roached main and mizens.
The sail came into me at Dragon Design and I set to work in doing all the fitting out so the kit was fully made up and assembled ready for Orlando to clip the shackle to the stemhead, attach a shackle and single sheave block to the masthead for the halyard and job done!
Foresail and fitting kit now fitted to Longboat Dido. Indeed she was fully fitted out in just a few hours much to the satisfaction of Orlando its owner. This is what Orlando has to say about the service and advice given to him by Just Lugger Joinery&more
We were out yesterday in a stiff breeze. She’s sailing beautifully and the furling jib is working well. Actually managed to make a few yards into the wind! I will pop into Gaios when I’m there to see if DIY/chandlers might sell a cleat but I’m not hopeful. The shop is pretty basic. The cleats may have to wait until next year when I’ll bring a couple out. In any case, many thanks for getting us back up and running. Dido looks grand.
Orlando
A very common issue I see on lots of Drascombe boats is owners using the belay pins on the main mast thwart to cleat off their foresail and main sail halyards. Ooh very risky! All that upward pressure on the mast thwart is not good, so change and get 2 horned 150 mm cleats fitted to the base of the mast as shown here. I’m sure Orlando will find a couple of cleats at his local chandler.