It’s that time of year when everyone is getting their boats back in the water and we are inundated with orders for new custom boat covers, sprayhoods, dodgers, cockpit covers and sail covers. Here is a recent example from a yacht in Gweek, Cornwall.

We were recently challenged to make some shade sails with a difference by the Playzone in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. They were required to act as safety screens on the edge of the demon drop slide as well as look aesthetically pleasing. The results are a complete success, with yellow and red acrylic canvas really looking great and clear panels to ensure the staff can still watch the slide being used safely.

We have recently delivered our annual order of windsurfing rigs to South West Lakes Trust which includes Stithians Lake, Roadford Lake, Siblyback Lake and Tamar Lake. The rigs come supplied with 30% Carbon Skinny masts (for sizes 2.5mtr and above) as they offer excellent performance and light weight, and a high performance boom. The sails are all made in house using the same X-ply monofilms and materials used in our wave sails so they can take the inevitable beating that learners hand out.

We take pride that our learner sails are built like ‘proper’ sails, rather than the Dacron handkerchiefs that you often see. Our sailing school customers are happy because the sails last for a long time without needing constant repair!

This fold away and removable Volkswagen seat came to us looking a right mess and left the work shop looking rather flash. The detailed orange stitching and contrasting light and dark grey fabric looked the business!!

As we continue to expand and improve we have invested in a new PVC fabric welding machine. This automated fabric welder allows us to form waterproof seams in PVC, giving a very neat finish in the process. It means large sheets can be made of virtually any size for roofing, PVC high tension fabric, lorry side sheets, banners and covers.

Wow! It has now been 3 years since we started RB Sails. We have gone from strength to strength and would like to give a huge thanks to all those who have helped and supported us. These include customers such as; Breezefree Ltd (and all the great staff there!), Cornwall fire and rescue service, South West Lakes Trust, Hove Lagoon Watersports and all the private customers that come back and also recommend us. Also, thanks to all our suppliers such as Kayospruce, Bainbridge, Dimension Polyant, O’Shea. No offence to anyone we have not mentioned but there are too many.

Plans for our 4th year are already underway. Our business has benefitted from working with Martin France, who with his expertise in computing, web development, and business is proving to be a huge asset and we thank him for his input so far. Our website is also being constantly developed. We have also invested in new equipment and there is more to come in the next few months including new sewing machines. Also planned for this winter is expansion of our factory with a second floor to help us keep up with demand, and allow us to employ more personnel.

Thanks again to everyone.

Ian and Jackie

One of the nicest jobs of the week was this tensioned Shade Sail for the Hopscotch Nursery in Hayle, Cornwall, just up the road from us! The shade sail was part of a project carried out by Darren Searle Landscaping, completely re-inventing the gardens of the Nursery. The fabric chosen was a Beige Acrylic Canvas, and it was installed using high quality stainless steel eyeplates, shackles and tensioning screws.
Click on the photos below to get close ups of another high quality shade sail from RB Sails.

One of this week’s highlights was completing 2 stages of the Pizza Patio Shade Sail and clear restaurant screens. The wind proof screens are made from heavy duty Clearview PVC with reinforced edging and mounted to the existing structures. All three measure 9 metres across and can each be rolled up individually. The sail structure was interesting as we had to manage the flow of water and ensure that there was no water pooling as the levels of the existing structures were the same and there was limited run off. The solution was a high tension sail structure with alternating high and low points. Although difficult to see from the pictures, this gives a very aesthetic wave like appearance and also ensures that the water run-off flows towards the posts on the structure and into the plant pots!. The fittings, all high quality stainless steel, were eye plates, screws, shackles and tensioning screws to ensure there was no rusting. Stage 3 is another sail structure over the rear of the building. Many thanks to Pizza Patio who have already insisted on a similar sail shade structure for their other pizza restaurant in Newlyn.
Click on the photos below to get a close up of our quality shade sail and clear screen installation.

We have recently completed 2 new custom boat covers for St Michaels’ Mount Ferry in Mounts Bay, Penzance (Cornwall). The Covers are made from Top Gun, with heavy weight Clear PVC windows. They are designed to be easily erected and folded so the ferry men can keep visitors to St Michael’s Mount dry!

At RB Sails we can not only cut foam for your caravan or campervan upholstery, we can also manufacture and fit high quality cushions to give your van a truly custom look. We can make cushions in just about any colour and fabric combination so call us now if your want to give your van interior a whole new look.