Mar 6, 2024 I had a very interesting conversation with a client just yesterday. They have a popular one design class that limits mainsail cloth to woven polyester (PET – polyethylene terephthalate) in a minimum weight of 300g/m2. The client also believed that the class mandated crosscut panel cuts because “all of the other sailmakers”…
Nov 1, 2023 I’m going to let you all in on my secret fall sailboat maintenance list. This is the time to get prepared for Spring launch, and you won’t be waiting for sail repairs, delivery of new sails, new impellers or replacement anodes. 1 – Check your cradle, stands or trailer. Grease the threads…
November 1, 2023 Helly Hansen’s Hydro Power collection sets a benchmark in comfort and protection among inshore sailing apparel. It uses Ocean Bound materials for a low environmental impact, with a whole new line for women in 2023. SS23 Highlights Women’s HP Hybrid Insulator 2.0 The HP Hybrid Insulator combines the best technologies of an…
October 18, 2023 The new women’s specific design of the Verso Drysuit from Gill features a unique entry system combined with a drop seat function for added convenience. Fitted to accommodate thermal layers and allows unrestricted movement making it ideal for colder days on the water. Featuring a grown on hood with 2 way adjustment…
Raymarine is making an addition into the performance sailing market with the launch of the Alpha™ Series display, new Smart Wind™ Technology, and performance sailing upgrades to the LightHouse operating system for Axiom chartplotters.
Orbit Winches combine fresh design thinking and proven manufacturing expertise in a performance-oriented range of lightweight aluminum winches. The new winches incorporate some of the best features of Andersen Stainless Steel Winches®.
Ronstan’s Orbit Winches™ are a new benchmark in high performance alloy winches. With a combination of fresh design thinking and proven manufacturing expertise, Orbit Winches weigh significantly less and offer lower line entry heights than any other winch in their class. Remarkably easy to service, they require no tools for disassembly or maintenance.
Club Racing has evolved over the years, from primarily racer/cruisers flying spinnakers, to a fairly serious level of non-spinnaker racers. A quick look at race registrations around the Great Lakes shows most clubs having more NFS (Non-Flying Sails = no spinnakers) racers than Flying Sails racers.
The all new Superthin Bootie is designed to give you full feel and agility around your boat or on your board. Made with a durable, high-gauge knit upper and an ultra-thin, super flexible, robust rubber sole, the Bootie is designed to enhance bare-foot sensation, with added grip and foot protection.
At the beginning of every season, I get large numbers of sailors calling and dropping by the loft to get replacement battens. Most of these batten losses are preventable if the sail is getting serviced regularly and the battens are installed correctly.
When the wind builds waves also build creating large choppy waves and gradually increasing swells. These waves slow down your boat when you are trying to make windward progress. Every wave is like climbing a hill or punching through a wall, especially when the wind gets over 25 knots.
At the sail loft, we are always busy repairing and maintaining sails. Much of the damage we are fixing can be prevented with some simple sail handling tips.
With more sailors getting into foiling, wind and kite surfing, Zhik have launched a range of Men’s Viento and Women’s Ola steamer wetsuits. The Viento and Ola suits are both available in a 4/3mm and 3/2mm long sleeve steamer, along with a women’s Ola long sleeve shorty.
Canadian distributor, Indie Marine announces the new products and upgrades from Cyclops Marine with their world leading load sensors. For 2023, Cyclops is adding two new Smarttune load sensor to their line-up, a ¾” and soon the 1” turnbuckle with Bluetooth load sensors built in.
The Tactician Sailing Compass from Ritchie Navigation was designed specifically for sailors who want to gain a strategic advantage over their competitors—or simply get a better table for dinner at the club.
New this spring are two new lightweight Zhik Trapeze harnesses, the T4 nappy harness and highly adjustable T5 leg strap harness. With positive buoyancy and weighing just 1.1kg and 1.2kg respectively including the spreader bar, both are well below the World Sailing 2kg maximum harness weight requirement.
