It's winter in North Carolina and that's when I try to order sails so as to help fill in the sailmaker's "slow" season. I've been trying to get a hold of Whirlwind now since May. No one answers the phone or responds to voicemail, texts or email having made half a dozen or so attempts. Does anyone know what's going on? Is Chip still in business? I need a jib summers a coming 😕
Wow, that’s N Carolina? I was looking into that as a winter home.
I’m up in S Alberta today, on the edge of the Rockies. I can walk across my lawn in my socks & not get them wet.
My cats are stacked, skis are de riguer.
leeboweffect wrote: It's winter in North Carolina and that's when I try to order sails so as to help fill in the sailmaker's "slow" season. I've been trying to get a hold of Whirlwind now since May. No one answers the phone or responds to voicemail, texts or email having made half a dozen or so attempts. Does anyone know what's going on? Is Chip still in business? I need a jib summers a coming 😕
I don't know anyone there, but I have used C&C Sails in Houston for a couple of decades now. I was just there Friday fixing my trampoline, so I know he's in business.
He replied to one of my emails a few days ago. Maybe you just aren’t cool enough…
Edited by tamumpower1 on Feb 02, 2022 - 12:06 AM.
tamumpower1 wrote: Maybe you just aren’t cool enough…
Likely the reason man...Just not part of the in crowd...Not hip, not with it man...Not turned on, tuned in or dropped out man...
Edchriss177 wrote: Wow, that’s N Carolina?
Yes, it's aweful here DO NOT COME... Stay where the mounties can protect you (or the Canadian truckers). :-O
It took me 6 months to get a furling jib for my 16 from another vendor, which they claimed was in stock. Its tough out there. Hope you get a hold of Chip, he made me a Gcat 5.7 jib and shipped it out in less than a week, but that was before all this supply chain nonsense hit.
Ill throw a second tag for C&C sail makers out of houston. Hes making my prindle 19 mx suit of sails
Hes making my prindle 19 mx suit of sails
Pulling out all the stops for mid-winter?!
carbonc wrote:
Hes making my prindle 19 mx suit of sails
Pulling out all the stops for mid-winter?!
No, only for the nationals
leeboweffect wrote: Does anyone know what's going on? Is Chip still in business? I need a jib summers a coming
UPDATE
Chip is alive and apparently well, just overwhelmed with business and facing material/delivery shortages like everyone else. I got a jib ordered and it should be delivered some time in the first week of April.
Chip is alive and apparently well
GOOD!
I got a jib ordered and it should be delivered some time in the first week of April.
Did he verify what year? 😆
Newbie to this group and found this old thread re Whirlwind Sails so joined. Been months since I ordered an H18 main over the winter and still waiting. After initial contact (which was delightful BTW) I've received no word despite numerous attempts. Understand delays and supply issues but now starting to consider I've been scammed. A simple 'sorry I'm overwhelmed' would suffice. I am now without a sail and my season is short. Now looking elsewhere for a new sail. Any experiences or suggestions are welcome.
SLO Sail in San Luis Obispo, California
Newbie to this group and found this old thread re Whirlwind Sails so joined. Been months since I ordered an H18 main over the winter and still waiting...
Have you already paid for the sail? Hopefully you will hear from Whirlwind, but if not, Slo Sail & Canvas is a long-time supporter of this site and can make whatever you need.
Thanks for that info...I wanted a sail similar to the previous since most folks know my boat so will keep in mind. I found a provider for a plain sail that says they can ship quickly (to be confirmed before I proceed) . I guess there's still hope but mostly an expensive lesson learned.
I paid some up front to cover materials, etc..big mistake$. (Seemed reputable and the real time conversation we had seemed legit enough).
Again Thanks
Seemed reputable and the real time conversation we had seemed legit enough
Chip and his business Whirlwind Sails has a good reputation for quality sail making. I have had two H18 mainsails from him that were very nice.
Chip’s always been legit. He’s too well known in this area to not be. Now his communication I think is notorious. When I’ve talked with him in the past it seems he’s on his business for a while, then checks out to go to a regatta or something then comes back later. It seems like his business continuity may be spotty at times because of that. I think if you’ve paid and he’s started your money won’t be lost if you follow through. Don’t know about delivery date though. Not trying to defend him so much as reflect my experience and what I know. Sorry you’re having grief with it though.
Thanks all for that insight. (My research certainly showed Whirlwind to be established and well known.) I will try another round of polite inquiries and hold off further negative commentary. I live off grid in the summer and communication is ESSENTIAL. When I realized the work would not be completed as expected I tried contacting to arrange alternate delivery...with no response despite repeated attempts..crickets. Thus the suspicion and frustration. I have a workaround underway and shall wait and hope..and update any developments.
So I received an email from Whirlwind !...something about invoice getting temporarily lost and overwhelmed but my order was next in line.... was good to hear there's hope. I provided an alternate shipping address and am now awaiting next steps.
@mrbok Chip is a great sailmaker, he made a fantastic Mylar main for me and this past week I ordered another main for my Hobie 20. He ia a bit overwhelmed and slow to reply but he will get back to you, he is a good guy and very knowledgeable