Jka Sailmakers 2.61

JKA Sailmakers was established in 1980 by Jonathan & Sheila Abrahams, based at Pwllheli, North Wales. Jonathan’s background in the sail making industry includes learning the trade working for the globally recognised brand Musto & Hyde at their UK sail loft, and later exploiting that experience working for the similarly recognised global brand Hood Sails in Canada.

Jonathan & Sheila, having identified a clear gap in the market, established JKA Sailmakers in North Wales. The market gap was defined by the lack of a sail loft offering comprehensive and professional sail making, sail maintenance and support service to the North Wales & North West marine leisure industry.

JKA Sailmakers has developed into a well established regional brand with the skills, expertise and specialist equipment to operate effectively in it’s particular niche – making sails, spray hoods, covers and canvas products.

Jonathan’s sailing track record includes GP14 Northern area champion, ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Assoc) champion, J24 regional & national competitor, and currently competing in the Cork 1720 fleet. Jonathan is a known and respected competitor both on the Irish, Welsh and North West England coasts.

On 15th January 2010 ownership of JKA sailmakers was transferred from Jonathan & Sheila Abrahams to Robert & Christine Riddell. Jonathan, as operations manager, remains a central foundation of the business.

Rob’s passion is sailing and racing sailboats, inherited from his father whose sailing career included competitive racing aboard Cohoe with Adlard Coles, then with John Illingworth on Myth of Mallam. Rob has similarly raced sail boats from a young age on the ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) circuit, before competing regionally & nationally on J24’s. Rob has extensively cruised the French, channel Islands, English, Welsh, Irish & Scottish coasts. Rob is currently class captain of the newly established International Dragon fleet at Abersoch’s South Caernafonshire Yacht Club. The fledgling Abersoch Dragon fleet, instigated by Rob, has grown to ten Dragons within a year and has resulted in the BDA (British Dragon Assoc) inviting Abersoch’s SCYC to host the prestigious 2011 Duke of Edinburgh Cup.

The Sailmaker team includes;





Rob Riddell .................. Director
Jonathan Abrahams .................. Production Manager
Julie Davies ............... Sail making & general machinist
Paula Evans ............... Machinist & Supervisor
Megan Hodgson ............ Machinist