Welcome to Ensign Spars!  Please read the letter below about our transition to Vela Sailing Supply.

Dear Ensign Community,

I am pleased to publicly announce that Ensign Spars is transitioning all of our retail activities to Vela Sailing Supply www.velasailingsupply.com.  The transition has been in the works for a couple of months now, and should be complete by December 1, 2020.  The current Ensign Spars retail website will remain viewable, but effective September 7, 2020, very few parts will be available for sale.  During the time that Vela is building the Ensign One Design section on their website, Ensign specific parts will not be available, but you can still buy things like Harken parts, halyards and sheets, and other generic components from their extensive offerings.  Ensign Spars will continue to be a wholesale supplier for boat specific parts that we manufacture, or have manufactured for us. Marinas, boatyards, and sailing schools that maintain large fleets of Ensigns will still be able to buy directly from Ensign Spars. We will also continue to build new Ensigns and restore old ones, as well as broker and transport, but on a much more limited basis.  Additionally, with the help of Vela, we will be expanding our offerings of boat restoration components and parts, to give more help to the DIY restorer.  Lewis Boat Shop, the parent company of Ensign Spars, will continue to operate locally in Marquette and be “the sailboat guys” as it has for the past 10 years.

I chose Vela Sailing Supply as the exclusive retailer of Ensign parts, because I know they will do an excellent job.  I’ve gotten to know Rod Favela (owner) through coaching together at NorthU and I’m confident he will give the Ensign community the attention and expertise you all deserve.  Rod and I have been discussing this arrangement for a long time, and we are both excited to finally make it a reality.

Going forward, Ensign Spars will only be a part time business for me, and it will operate that way for the foreseeable future.  I will still be available to answer technical questions, or guide you through your restoration, but my daytime availability, especially in the summer, is very limited.  The best way to get a hold of me going forward, is to send an email to chad@ensignspars.com with your question and a phone number to call you back.  If you are looking to buy a new Ensign or have your Ensign restored, I am only scheduling 2 projects per winter, and the next available opening is in the winter of 21/22.

I continue to remain committed to the perpetuation and support of the Ensign Class sailboat, and look forward to seeing you on the water.

Sincerely,

Chad Lewis

Owner, Ensign Spars