Suppliers
This page is a listing of commercial suppliers who offer products of particular interest to the Sonata owner. Most entries have a link to the supplier’s website. Where a web site address is not available then other contact details are listed. If the contact details change or if you know of any other suppliers who should be listed here then please contact the Sonata webmaster.
The National Sonata Association has no commercial connection with these suppliers and offers no endorsement of their products.
Boatbuilder
The builders of the Sonata were Hunter Boats, now a part of Select Yachts. Sadly, they no longer build Sonatas but they still offer a few parts for sale.
Sailmakers
Banks Sails completely revised their design for the Sonata Class in 2005. Customers in Ireland can order through Stuart Cranston e-mail scranston@btinternet.com, tel. 07789 604448. Otherwise contact Hugh Myers at Banks Sails in Southampton e-mail hugh@banks.co.uk, tel. 01489 582444, fax: 01489 589789.
Buy the same sails as National Champion Steve Goacher and get some some sailing tips at the Goacher Sails web site.
Sailmakers Graham Campbell and Murray Caldwell, who have a string of Sonata wins to their credit, are both at Nicolson Hughes Sails
Rudders
Is your rudder cracked, waterlogged or just plain rough? “Milanes Foils are suppliers of laminated or glass sheathed Sonata Blades, finely profiled and perfectly finished.” (quote supplied by Phil Milanes). Milanes Foils, Breach House, Cuckoo Corner, Urchfont Wiltshire SN10 4RA, Telephone: +44-(0)1380-840050 Fax: +44-(0)1380-840150. milanesfoils@breachhouse.co.uk
Tony Mackillican has been the main supplier of rudders and tillers and numerous other wooden parts for Hunter Boats Ltd since 1981 and continues to supply Select Yachts Ltd since they took the firm over. He supplies “quality laminated Rudders and Tillers with a wide range of superb finishes”. Contact details and examples of his work are on his web site or telephone +44-(0) 1785 284949
Masts and rigging
Early Sonata masts were made by IYE. Later masts were made by Proctor Masts, now part of Selden.
For more help with masts, rigging and fitting-out try Phil Evans Sailing Services, The Joiners Shop, Bridge End, Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 0HN. Tel/Fax 01539-738900 Mobile 07774-167900. philevans.sailing@virgin.net
Trolleys and trailers
Eagle Yachts (UK), The Old Smithy, Lowside, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 9DH, 015394-45411
Hayling Trailers, 254a Havant Road, Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 0LW, 01705-464176
Keels on Wheels, Longmeadow lane, Redmarsh Ind Estate, Thornton, Lancashire FY5 4JT make a special Sonata trailer with a lowered axle to bring down the centre of gravity. Contact Ian Preston, Tel 01253 822190 Fax 01253 822166.
RM Trailers Ltd, Prospect Road, New Farm Industrial Estate, New Alresford, Hants, SO24 9QF, 01962-732560
SBS Ltd, Woden Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 0AS, 01902-455655 / 455680
West Mersea Trailers, Waldegraves Farm, West Mersea, Essex, 0870 9099 88
Insurance
Medway Sonata Sailor Mark Lee runs CraftInsure. They can provide a quote for your Sonata over the Internet in 15 to 20 seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can also provide instant cover on-line.
Web sites
Declan Ward (Jabiru) offers a special service to produce a web site for your boat.
Accommodation
Yr Helig – The Willows caravan and camping park is ‘a stones throw’ from Abersoch and offers ‘a warm welcome for sailors’.
Fittings
Some Sonatas may have a slightly different specification or may have been modified by previous owners – if possible you should check new fittings against your boat before purchase.
The sonata foredeck hatch is a Houdini ‘Super 50’ 500mm x 500mm HD5050 made by Houdini Marine Windows and available via most chandlers.
Rubber seals for hatches and for a wide range of other applications are available from Phil Howard at Seals + Direct
Stanchion bases are YS Alloys standard base. The model number is reported to be JHYS7157B with 70mm hole centre distances. Available from Seamark Nunn or other chandlers.