It’s about time! Newsletter for fall 2025 (we missed a few in the last year and a half).
So here it is, short and sweet, like a downwind on an A-scow heading to the finish line. That’s what I was told to write, so I’m missing a ton of stuff that’s happened in the last year but I will try and hit the highs and lows in our world of Sailcrafters.
I've been running Sailcrafters for 15 years and hopefully with the help of UK Sailmakers and friends I will for a while more. I mention this only because during this time I have met, sailed with and competed against hundreds of great people from over 20 yacht clubs and hundreds of events, racing, and cruising. But more importantly, we have built over 1500 sails and continue to repair hundreds of sails, canvas pieces, and rigging parts every year. Thanks for trusting us with your on-the-water babies and dreams.
We have rung the final bell eight times for many sailors and "Really Good Guys” and we seem to be doing it more often all the time. This year we lost two local sailmakers: Oscar Heath of Heath Sails and UK Sailmakers Bayfield, and Doug Carlson of Western Sailcraft, Jordan MN. Last Year we lost Fletcher Driscoll of White Bear Lake, known as the Grandfather of the WBL A-boat fleet. Pat Maloney passed this year, one of the original Wayzata Yacht Club Sailors. Jen Albalan just as she started to thrive with sailing and was lost in the prime of her life. These are just a few of those who will be missed.
Let’s end this with some good thoughts. With over 6 Youth sailing schools in the Metro and over 2,500 kids donning life jackets and learning to sail every summer, we are getting stronger. The Minneapolis Sailing Center now has 18 Ensigns in their program and it’s one of the highlights of the City of Lakes. Duluth Yacht Club continues to grow in the cool waters of Superior, racing till the docks freeze over. The 2025 Great Western Challenge of DN iceboating is going on this weekend. Sam Bartel of Minnetonka Yacht Sailing School is coaching a new generation of iceboat sailors on the ice of Minnetonka. And congratulations to Ryan Grosch, who just won the the MC Scow National Championship!
Thanks to all our customers and good friends for keeping us in business.
Happy Holidays
Tim, George, Mark, Rick, Scrappy and our newest seamstress, Sylvia.
