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The People Behind
the Craft

Kingston Sail Loft focuses on building and repairing sails so they work the way they should, and continue to work well for a very long time. The goal is simple—get the shape right, use the right materials, and make sure the sail performs reliably on the water.

The work is hands-on and consistent, based on experience. Each project is approached individually, with attention to how the sail will actually be used.

Ali has raced Albacores, Laser/ILCA 7, Farr 40, Swan 42, etc. but his primary race boat is the 505. He normally drives the 505, but also crews.
Alxander "Ali" Meller: Ali started racing in 1971, crewing for his father in an Albacore. He had summer jobs working for Storer Sails, C&C Yachts, and Skene Boats.
This season Sue is racing RS 21 at Kingston YC and Olson 30 at Prince Edward YC, and organizing multiple foiling events. Sue is also a foiling coach
Sue Fraser: Sue started racing in Laser full rig and then was on a number of keelboat programs. She and two Kingston YC teammates are three time and reigning Canadian Women's Keelboat Champions
Bob loves racing Sharks and is developing his own Shark sail designs. He races Sharks and Farr 30 out of Kingston YC.. He has raced on Grand Prix keelboat programs. He is too busy racing to cruise on his Niagara 35
Bob Colborne: Bob started working as a sailmaker at Hood in 1980. He took some time off from sailmaking to be a professor of veterinary medicine
Andy Soper is a mostly retired life-long sailmaker. He recently built a square sail and a jib for a brigantine at Kingston Sail Loft. We sometimes call him the sewing machine whisperer

FAQ

How do I order a sail and pay for it?

We request a 50% deposit on a new sail. The second payment and HST will be due when the completed sail is picked up from our loft.
We can accept payment via e-transfer to: office@kingstonsailloft.ca, cheque, or cash.

We select appropriate cloth for a sail from Challenge, Contender, Dimension-Polyant, and Bainbridge and purchase from them
This varies with time of year. The longest is normally 8-10 weeks for sails ordered for spring launch delivery. This is usually down to 4-5 weeks for sails ordered in November.
FOUNDER

ABOUT US/ Our History

Kingston Sail Loft was created by John Clark, as JC Sails, in 1988. When Andy Soper (Soper Sails) and John teamed up in 1999, they operated at Kingston Sail Loft (KSL). John and Andy moved the loft from its original location on Rideau Street in Kingston to the current location in the back of 774 Baker Crescent (Unit 2).

John, Andy, and friends built the table, sewing machine wells, and shelves, based on their extensive experience as sailmakers in several sail lofts.  KSL eventually continued under John only as Kingston Sail Loft.

John passed away in January of 2024.  KSL had been closed while he was ill.  

Two local sailing/racing couples wanted to keep KSL open and active to support the regional sailing community, so had arranged to take over KSL from John, with his enthusiastic support, and support from his daughters. KSL reopened 1 February 2024. It is currently owned and operated by Sue Fraser and Alexander “Ali” Meller.  Local racer and past Hood sailmaker Bob Colborne works with KSL.  Andy Soper comes in from time to time offering support and advice; we teasingly call him “the sewing machine whisperer”. We have prior sail making experience, and a combined 170 years of racing and sailing experience, looking at sails, and trying to make them faster.

We continue to offer very high quality, affordable, new racing and cruising sails for keelboats, dinghies, and multi-hulls, and high quality sail repair, along with related products and services, to sailors in the region. 

We actively race with KSL sails in the 505, Shark and Albacore classes, and also race and cruise keelboats locally and regionally.

Makers of Kingston: Kingston Sail Loft

Custom Sails Crafted

Each sail is carefully designed and handcrafted to match specific performance needs, ensuring durability, precision, and reliability on the water.

Decades of Expereince

With years of hands-on sailmaking expertise, every project benefits from proven techniques and a deep understanding of sailing performance.

Expert Sail Repair

From minor tears to major restorations, every repair is completed with attention to detail to extend the life and performance of your sails.

Built for Real Condition

All sails and canvas solutions are created to withstand harsh marine environments, delivering consistent performance in varying wind and water conditions.

KINGSTON

Kingston Sail Loft has been built on hands-on sailmaking and practical experience. The focus has always been simple—build sails that work properly and last a long time.

Over the years, the work has stayed consistent: understanding what each boat needs, building carefully, and making sure the sail performs the way it should once it’s out on the water and for years of sailing.

We continue to offer very high quality, affordable, new racing and cruising sails for keelboats, dinghies, and multi-hulls, and high quality sail repair, along with related products and services, to sailors in the region.