UK Sailmakers https://www.uksailmakers.com Sail with confidence! Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:25:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 201330117 UK Sailmakers Sail with confidence! clean VISIT UK SAILMAKERS AT THE 2023 ANNAPOLIS SAILBOAT SHOW https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/10/02/visit-uk-sailmakers-at-the-2023-annapolis-sailboat-show/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/10/02/visit-uk-sailmakers-at-the-2023-annapolis-sailboat-show/#respond Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:25:18 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9359 Set sail for the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show, a maritime extravaganza unfolding from October 12th to the 15th in Annapolis, Maryland. This premier event draws sailors from around the world, offering an exclusive peek at all the latest in sailing innovation. The UK Sailmakers booth is set to make a splash at this year’s show held on City Dock in Annapolis, MD.

UK Sailmakers brings a wealth of expertise to the event. Meet Mark Wood, owner of UK Sailmakers Miami, as well as Kevin Crouchley and accomplished racer, Emmett Dickheiser, from the UK Sailmakers Northeast location. These seasoned professionals are your go-to source for sail information, whether you’re a weekend cruiser or Grand Prix racer, they have your questions covered!

Visit the UK Sailmakers booth at the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show.
Visit the UK Sailmakers booth at the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show.

At the UK Sailmakers booth, you’ll find a demonstration of their finest products, including a variety of X-Drive® and dacron sample sails. But the real treat is for those considering a new sail purchase; UK Sailmakers offers on-the-spot, no-obligation quotes and there is a generous 10% discount for orders placed during the show.

Beyond sails, UK Sailmakers is your gateway to the latest sailing products. They proudly serve as dealers for Oxley Stabilizing spinnakers and the Ewincher 2 electric winch handle. And for those seeking retail merchandise, don’t miss their selection of UK Sailmakers duffle bags and exciting giveaways throughout the event.

A set of UK Sailmakers X-Drive® Endure sails aboard a Hallberg-Rassy 53.
A set of UK Sailmakers X-Drive® Endure sails aboard a Hallberg-Rassy 53.

Responsible sailing and environmental stewardship take center stage at the Annapolis Boat Shows. Water refill stations, reusable bags, and recycling bins underscore the commitment to sustainability. The shows feature eco-friendly products, energy-efficient boats, and cutting-edge technologies. Talk to the staff at the UK Sailmakers booth to learn about some of the recycled and partially-recycled sailcloth options for your next sail.

Seasoned and novice sailors alike will enjoy connecting with fellow sailors while exploring the docks featuring over 100 sailboats on display during this internationally acclaimed show. The 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show boasts the world’s largest selection of multihulls, with over 50 models from 24 manufacturers. From compact Guppy to opulent 66-foot catamarans, explore various options and engage with our multihull experts at the UK Sailmakers booth.

Sailboat enthusiasts travel far and wide to visit the Annapolis Boat Show each year. 
Image credit: Annapolis Sailboat Show.
Sailboat enthusiasts travel far and wide to visit the Annapolis Boat Show each year. Image credit: Annapolis Sailboat Show.

These shows are not merely about boats; they celebrate the entire boating lifestyle. Immerse yourself in the company of fellow enthusiasts, gain insights from industry experts, and fully embrace the world of sailing. Chart your course to UK Sailmakers at the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show this October, where our seasoned staff will empower you to Sail with Confidence.

For more information and to purchase tickets for this year’s show, visit the Annapolis Sailboat Show webpage here.

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SPINNAKER DESIGN TECHNICAL BRIEF IN SEAHORSE MAGAZINE https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/10/02/spinnaker-design-technical-brief-in-seahorse-magazine/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/10/02/spinnaker-design-technical-brief-in-seahorse-magazine/#respond Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:22:05 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9349 UK Sailmakers is excited to once again feature a sail design technical brief in Seahorse Magazine, known for its coverage of elite sailboat racing and cutting-edge sailing technologies. You can explore it in the October edition of Seahorse Magazine, available in print or online here.

Our team of writers, led by Buttons Padin, unravels the mystique behind designing asymmetrical spinnakers by tapping into the expertise of three UK Sailmakers’ top designers: Pat Considine, Geoff Bishop, and Stuart Dahlgren. They emphasize that spinnaker design hinges on two key factors: the boat’s characteristics and the intended style of sailing.

The specifics of the boat, including its type (high-performance, displacement, one-design), precise measurements, and the planned sailing style (IRC, ORC, offshore, coastal and professional vs. Corinthian), form the foundation of asymmetrical spinnaker design.

The article spotlights three essential data points that wield significant influence over a sail’s performance and rating:

1. The point-to-point distance between where the spinnaker will be tacked (on a sprit or a lowered pole) and the max height for the halyard.

2. The mid-girth (SMG) luff to leech measurement, expressed as a percentage of the foot length.

3. The trim position for the clew in terms of height off the deck and where the sheet will lead.

Seven key sail measurement points for an asymmetric spinnaker. It’s crucial to understand how these parameters affect a sail’s performance when asking a sailmaker to design a new A-sail.
Seven key sail measurement points for an asymmetric spinnaker. It’s crucial to understand how these parameters affect a sail’s performance when asking a sailmaker to design a new A-sail.

Spinnaker designs are fine-tuned using these measurements and more to optimize performance for either offshore or inshore racing. Our experts delve into explanations about how SMG impacts a sail’s ideal wind angle and how luff length is a critical design element influencing performance and sail projection.

This digital rendering illustrates how an asymmetric spinnaker rotates as the sheet is eased. A wider SMG allows it to rotate further in front and to windward, which is ideal for inshore racing in a displacement boat. Sails for offshore use and for fast planing boats tend to have a narrower SMG which is more efficient at tighter wind angles.
This digital rendering illustrates how an asymmetric spinnaker rotates as the sheet is eased. A wider SMG allows it to rotate further in front and to windward, which is ideal for inshore racing in a displacement boat. Sails for offshore use and for fast planing boats tend to have a narrower SMG which is more efficient at tighter wind angles.

The article underscores the importance of leech length and sheeting angle, highlighting differences between reaching and running spinnakers, and the role of tweakers. Additionally, it briefly touches on sail panel layout and fabric considerations, highlighting the importance of structural integrity.

J/111 CAG races downwind towards the Alma Grund Lighthouse in the 2022 Gotland Runt. Photography credit: Henrik Trygg.
J/111 CAG races downwind towards the Alma Grund Lighthouse in the 2022 Gotland Runt. Photography credit: Henrik Trygg.

This year’s UK Sailmakers technical brief offers valuable insights into the complexities of asymmetrical spinnaker design, underscoring the need to comprehend boat characteristics and intended sailing conditions. Understanding these principles empowers you to actively participate in the design process, optimizing your sails for your unique sailing needs. 

For those interested in sail design and seeking to enhance their racing performance, this article is a must-read. Check it out in your print copy of the October edition of Seahorse Magazine, or find it available online here.

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FSI OPTIMIZATION FOR HOME GAME ADVANTAGE https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/24/fsi-optimization-home-game-advantage/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/24/fsi-optimization-home-game-advantage/#respond Mon, 25 Sep 2023 01:33:44 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9333 Understanding the racing venue can be one of the most significant advantages for a sailor. Home game advantage exists in any sport, but where a field, court or rink might have distinct differences, there are considerably more variables at play for sailors. The venue is much larger than any arena, and impacted by the local geography, weather patterns, tide and currents. FSI (Fluid–Structure Interaction) analysis is a tool that Pat Considine, lead designer at UK Sailmakers Chicago, uses to optimize new sails for performance, based on where and how a boat is sailed.

Lake Muskegon is a small inland lake located in Western Michigan off the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Pat was in the area for a few deliveries for UK Sailmakers Chicago and was invited to hop aboard J/35 BAD DOG for a Wednesday night club race. Pat knew the owner, Larry Taunt, a long time UK Sailmakers Chicago customer, but had not previously met the rest of the crew. The last time Pat had sailed with the BAD DOG team was back in 2018, when they bought their current UK Sailmakers X-Drive main and jib.

Lake Muskegon is a small inland lake located in Western Michigan off the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.

Lake Muskegon is a small inland lake located in Western Michigan off the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.

“Right away, I could tell these are a fun group of guys.” Pat said. “They’re having all the usual banter before the race, you know…Why is the line so long? These instruments don’t work at all, the typical stuff,” he laughed. “We start the race and initially, I’m just trying to stay out of the way. We’re tacking and the jib comes in—snap!—right where it’s supposed to be, and after a couple of tacks I realize these guys are really good!” Pat said, “The second beat came along, and it was blowing about eight knots. I decided to spill the beans to the crew, and start chiming in about how they have everything set up.” 

Pat noticed that the backstay was on hard, making the headstay really straight and flattening the entry of the jib. Although this goes against the usual setup that Pat would have suggested, he noticed that BAD DOG was making great VMG (Velocity Made Good), in a high and slow mode. This turned out to be optimal for the conditions and their venue, an inland lake with no waves. They also trimmed the main very hard with almost no leech twist, which also works well on flat water. The team had Muskegon Lake cased, and knew how to maximize their performance in these conditions using an atypical configuration. 

When Larry expressed interest in ordering some new sails, Pat was excited to use the FSI simulation to tweak the current designs to suit the way they sail, and make some performance gains. FSI allows for a huge variety of inputs, and Pat plugged in the boat’s specs including the bend properties of the aluminum mast and rig tuning. He set up the simulation for the same eight knot breeze that the team encountered on the water. He added tension on the backstay, and some checkstay tension so that the mast did not bend too much.

FSI simulation of rig tuning for the J/35. Red arrows indicate stress on the rig.

FSI simulation of rig tuning for the J/35. Red arrows indicate stress on the rig.

Next, Pat adjusted the parameters in the design of the sails themselves. It was a time-consuming task but he was able to create a harmonious sail design for a main and headsail that had an increased driving force compared to their 2018 counterparts. The adjusted sail plan had several small tweaks, including moving the draft slightly forward, which will also allow better versatility for other sailing conditions. With these changes, Pat was still able to produce the flat headsail entry that is ideal for the Lake Muskegon conditions, by keeping the jib halyard tension light in the FSI simulation. 

With the proposed new sail design complete, FSI was used to simulate the flow and the pressure over the sails at a specified wind angle and wind speed. The new sails were also rendered with battens, draft stripes and reinforcements for a realistic visualization of their final form.

Side-by-side renderings of the rig tuning, pressure map and sail details.

Side-by-side renderings of the rig tuning, pressure map and sail details.

To accurately display the pressure map, many variables are input into FSI to represent cable loads (expressed in in Newtons) and elongations of the stays and sail controls. These fine adjustments allow for accurate representations of how a boat is tuned and its sails are trimmed in real life and unique configurations such as the extra backstay tension on BAD DOG can be recreated in the digital model.

Cable loads and elongations used for the BAD DOG FSI simulation

Cable loads and elongations used for the BAD DOG FSI simulation.

The objective for this thorough FSI analysis was to improve the performance of the next generation of BAD DOG sails. Pat said, “The important thing to remember is that they’re not always going to be sailing on Lake Muskegon with flat water, so I had to make sure we still had sails that could be adaptable for a variety of different conditions. I didn’t want to make the sails totally flat in the front end and too far draft aft, because when they do get into waves for events like the Race to Mackinac, they wouldn’t have enough power.” 

“For eight knots of wind and flat water, sailing a J/35 the way that they did really works. In those conditions, cranking on the backstay and trimming the main really hard, helps to drive the boat to windward.” Pat said, “It’s okay for boat speed to be a little bit below targets because the big keel on the boat is preventing slippage sideways and those few degrees of height can make a huge difference.” Good sailors are able to adapt to their venue and sailing conditions to make their boat go fast and the BAD DOG team are a great example of this.

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UK SAILMAKERS EXPANDS TO SOUTH AFRICA  https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/24/uk-sailmakers-south-africa/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/24/uk-sailmakers-south-africa/#respond Mon, 25 Sep 2023 01:24:59 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9331 Craig Millar Sails is the latest addition to the UK Sailmakers group, now known as UK Sailmakers South Africa. Based in Durban, this sail loft is gearing up and expanding to meet the new demand.

Millar, who has run his own boutique manufacturing sail loft for over five years, joins forces with the international powerhouse, UK Sailmakers. The recent announcement includes the appointment of Jerome McLoughlin as Director, who will play a crucial role in the loft’s expansion.

UK Sailmakers, with its roots dating back to 1946 in the USA, boasts over 50 lofts and service centers worldwide. Now, they are extending their presence into Africa, establishing Craig Millar Sails as their sole registered UK Sailmakers loft on the continent.

The UK Sailmakers South Africa loft produces high-quality bespoke sails for cruising and racing yachts, as well as One Design sails.

The UK Sailmakers South Africa loft produces high-quality bespoke sails for cruising and racing yachts, as well as One Design sails.

The two helmsmen of the loft bring a wealth of experience with yachting. Millar, renowned for his achievements in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, founded the Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation upon his return, leaving a lasting impact on Durban’s youth. He also steered the Point Yacht Club as its Commodore during significant transformations along the city’s beachfront. Millar’s sailing prowess was recently recognized with SA Sailing Colors for his performance in the 2022 J/22 World Championships held offshore of Durban.

Jerome McLoughlin, the latest addition, offers a unique blend of skills with his professional background in accounting and extensive sailing experience spanning nearly five decades. His sailing resume includes multiple participations in South Africa’s premier sailing event, the Lipton Challenge Cup, as well as races like the Vasco da Gama blue water races and the 1989 Beachcomber Mauritius to Durban race.

UK Sailmakers South Africa is dedicated to upholding the highest standards in sailmaking, and building on the reputation for excellence that Craig Millar Sails achieved. With a team of expert staff boasting over 100 years of collective yachting experience, they prioritize quality and customer relations above all. 

Founded in January 2018, as Craig Millar Sails (Pty) Ltd, the loft began with a small production team of craftsmen and women that Millar has been working with for more than a decade prior. Since then, their exceptional sail manufacturing has garnered widespread acclaim, driven by word-of-mouth recommendations.

H-Boat One Design mainsails at the UK Sailmakers South Africa loft
H-Boat One Design mainsails at the UK Sailmakers South Africa loft

UK Sailmakers South Africa will offer bespoke sails for cruising and racing yachts, as well as One Design sails. Continuing with their high-quality service, well-designed long-lasting sails, and their most advanced design technologies and materials, the loft looks forward to assisting sailors in achieving their best performance.

Hoisting their new branding with pride as they expand more into the global market, Craig Millar Sails is honored to now be trading as UK Sailmakers South Africa.

All existing contact details will remain the same, and a new contact email: southafrica@uksailmakers.com. For more info visit the UK Sailmakers South Africa loft page, check out our website or follow UK Sailmakers South Africa on social media.

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LOCHER AND WEISS WIN MAJOR OCEAN RACING AWARDS https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/22/locher-and-weiss-win-nels-and-nort/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/22/locher-and-weiss-win-nels-and-nort/#respond Sat, 23 Sep 2023 01:34:09 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9336 Christopher Dragon sailing upwind with a suit of black UK Sailmakers Titanium sails.

The Long Island Sound’s traditional end-of-the-year distance race is Stamford Yacht Club’s Vineyard Race sailed over the Labor Day weekend. For the second consecutive year, light wind forecasts convinced the organizers to opt for the shorter Seaflower Reef course (143 nm staying within the Sound) vs. the longer full Vineyard course. Despite the light air forecast materializing, it didn’t deter 90 boats from participating.

When the dust settled Saturday night, two boats belonging to long-time UK Sailmakers customers had won their Vineyard Race division as well as major ocean racing trophies.

Racing within and winning Class 9 PHRF was Kurt Locher’s J/42 ATALANTA, while Andrew and Linda Weiss’ Italia 11.98 CHRISTOPHER DRAGON closed out its distance racing season winning Class 10 ORC. The significance of these two wins is that both boats won their respective ocean racing series.

For years, Stamford has sponsored the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy (NORT) for ORC yachts and the New England Lighthouse Series (NELS) for boats that race under PHRF. Both series require that you sail in the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race and the Vineyard Race. In addition, you must sail an additional ocean race from a selected list. This being a non-Bermuda Race year, both boats opted to sail the Marblehead-to-Halifax race. The combined scores in the three races determine the overall winners. DRAGON won its Division in the Halifax Race and ATALANTA finished second in hers while DRAGON won the Block Island Race overall. That was all it took for DRAGON and ATALANTA to receive the NORT and NELS, respectively.

The bow of CHRISTOPHER DRAGON (green boot stripe) pokes out to leeward of ATALANTA in some exciting startline action.
The bow of CHRISTOPHER DRAGON (green boot stripe) pokes out to leeward of ATALANTA in some exciting startline action.

Sailing the Sunflower Reef course, it’s hard to get too far away from the Connecticut shoreline. DRAGON rounded the half-way mark at midnight Friday with a foul current. They hugged the northern shore to get out of the current, allowing DRAGON to get past the rest of the boats in their class.

Weiss’ Italia has a full suit of Titanium® upwind sails and Matrix® spinnakers. Interestingly, DRAGON carries a UK A3 rather than a Code 0 finding that the performance is comparable, while avoiding the hit to their rating.

Weiss further noted that this is his third NORT win (2011 and 2022) but more important to him was winning the Olin Stephens Trophy signifying the best combined performance in the 2022 Bermuda Race and the 2023 Halifax Race. “That was our objective going into the season. After winning our division in last year’s Bermuda Race finishing second overall, we sailed this year with the objective of earning the Olin Stephens Trophy. Thanks to a great crew, that objective was realized.

ATALANTA sailing upwind with a suit of UK Sailmakers X-Drive Carbon sails.
ATALANTA sailing upwind with a suit of UK Sailmakers X-Drive Carbon sails.

Locher’s ATALANTA is a vintage J/42 that he “turboed” by adding a spinnaker prod, upgrading from cruising to racing electronics, and updating the interior. Sailing now with asymmetrical spinnakers and code zeros, ATALANTA won her division in the local Thursday night Can One series, too. Kurt credits much of his success to advice he received from both UK Sailmakers’ Butch Ulmer on reconfiguring his vintage cruising boat. “Under Butch’s tutelage, we upgraded our sail inventory and converted a cruising boat into a racing boat,” said Locher. “We converted to racing and started competing about three years ago. We’ve built our program and have enjoyed our recent success.”

See here Vineyard Results and here Marblehead-to-Halifax Results for the results.

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SWAN 45 KATIMA SHINES AT ORC WORLDS https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/swan-45-katima-shines-at-orc-worlds/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/swan-45-katima-shines-at-orc-worlds/#comments Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:16:41 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9299 Authors: Buttons Padin and Heather Mahady

Over the past two decades, the difference between boats with all or mostly professional crews and Corinthian sailors has become increasingly pronounced. That said, this state of the sport doesn’t mean that a boat raced by a predominantly Corinthian crew can’t be competitive. It’s just that the amateurs need to match the pros’ level of preparedness and work together as a well-oiled machine.

That was the case in the recent ORC Worlds in Kiel, Germany for KATIMA, a modified Swan 45 owned and helmed by Jan Opländer from Flensburger Segel-Club. An older, heavier boat, KATIMA was sailing against a handful of pro-crewed TP 52s plus keenly competitive Fast 40s. One could look at the differences between these boats and leave the dock thinking that KATIMA was going to be cannon fodder, but Jan and the KATIMA crew would soon outperform any critic’s expectations.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.03.05

The KATIMA crew are all smiles.

KATIMA knew the competition would be stiff but they were up for it. An all-Corinthian crew except for Tim Kröger (veteran of two Volvo Ocean Races) who is the boat captain and the only full pro, and UK Sailmakers Germany’s Stefan Voss as the crew boss. The rest were just really, really good Group 1 sailors including two relative rookies!

Prior to the Worlds, Opländer, Voss, Kroger, and the crew spent considerable time preparing the boat, its systems, and its sails. In the end, the boat was ready for battle as was its sail inventory. All that was important because it was a very windy week with nine races in total: two coastal races in up to 40 knots, six windward/leewards, and one long offshore race.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.03.17

The team faced a variety of conditions, including two races with wind speeds exceeding 40 kts.

In the end, KATIMA finished a very respectable fifth in ORC A behind three TP 52 and a flat-out Mills 45 racer. Opländer and his sailors, although they were tired after the week, found great satisfaction in their performance finishing close behind the big boys and beating a lot of other hot shots! They were glad they sailed.

And their pre-regatta prep paid off in spades. “We modified the boat from symmetrical to asymmetrical spinnaker sails with fixed bowsprit last winter and it paid off.” Commented Stefan Voss from UK Sailmakers Germany who also oversaw sail trim and speed management. “KATIMA is now faster and has a better rating, especially in light wind, not to mention having far better boat speed downwind.” Nothing broke, their boat handling was more than good enough, and they had the sails to power them against the competition.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.03.25

KATIMA sailing with her new asymmetrical set up. Photo credit: Tim Kröger.

Working with UK Sailmaker’s Germany, KATIMA’s inventory consisted of the following:

  • All upwind sails are Titanium® loadpath sails: light, medium, and heavy jibs with a jib top and a genoa staysail.
  • Downwind sails were exclusively UK Matrix A sails: A1.5, A2, A3/4, A5, with a fractional spinnaker staysail.
  • All the spinnakers had a zipper on the head and tack for faster sets and they worked flawlessly.

Opländer and Voss worked with UK’s Lead Designer Pat Considine to design these sails for the Worlds and all the sails were made at the UK Sailmakers facility in Hong Kong. Check out the racing section of our website and contact your local UK Sailmakers loft to optimize your inventory.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.03.33

KATIMA’s UK Sailmakers Titanium mainsail was picture-perfect and performing at its best.

Did it make sense for Opländer to race his older, heavier boat in this World Championship? You bet it did. Crew member Tim Kröger said, “With a twinkle in the eye we can now call ourselves the fastest teak deck in the world”. The team did well, were very competitive, learned a lot in the run-up to and during the Championship, and came away with a regatta full of memories they will never forget. And, heck, maybe it’s the 2024 ORC in Newport, RI next year.

Article Lead Image Credit: Felix Diemer for ORC.

Results of the races here.

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LESSONS LEARNED PASSAGE MAKING https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/lessons-learned-passage-making/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/lessons-learned-passage-making/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:04:02 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9290 Tune in to Episode Eight of the Lessons Learned Podcast series by UK Sailmakers featuring Tripp Brower, Captain of SV RESILIENCE and Executive Director of the non-profit Apparent Winds.

In this Episode, Tripp discusses his Lessons Learned passage making as he circumnavigates the globe, working with marine researchers, and sharing stories of environmental and cultural preservation through film.

Preparation is the key to a successful passage, and Tripp describes the ways in which he and the RESILIENCE crew prepare to be self-sufficient for their expeditions and have learned to expect the unexpected, from provisioning to piracy.

You can also read Tripp’s article about winter sailing from Panama to Florida on the News Section of the UK Sailmakers website here.

Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

For more information on Apparent Winds visit us here. Facebook, Instagram & YouTube: @ApparentWinds

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IDA LEWIS DISTANCE RACE REPORT https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/ida-lewis-distance-race-report/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/ida-lewis-distance-race-report/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:57:28 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9278 ENVOLEÉ has made a monumental move from the waters of San Francisco Bay to her new home, racing on the Eastern Seaboard. Owner, Nathalie Criou, is no stranger to sailing in various venues, with an incredible sailing career on the West Coast of the US and in Europe. The 2014 Yachtswoman-of-the-Year, has many prestigious races under her belt including the Race to Alaska, the Single-Handed Transpacific Race, La Solitaire, and the Bermuda 1-2.

Nathalie’s latest contest with her Figaro 2 was the annual Ida Lewis Distance Race, with a spectacular start and finish off Newport, R.I. The object of this unique race, is that the committee selects a course in the vicinity of Newport and Block Island that will keep the race roughly 24 hours long based on the predicted weather conditions.

Nathalie Criou paired up with Satchel Douglas aboard her Figaro 2, ENVOLEÉ, in the 2023 Ida Lewis Distance Race. Photo credit: Stephen R Cloutier.

Nathalie Criou paired up with Satchel Douglas aboard her Figaro 2, ENVOLEÉ, in the 2023 Ida Lewis Distance Race. Photo credit: Stephen R Cloutier.

Nathalie paired up with Satchel Douglas to race in the PHRF Double-Handed division of the Ida Lewis Distance Race. Leading up to the race, Nathalie observed that the forecast included a small weather system passing through the course. As every racer knows, finding a groove in a transition zone is difficult and strategic work that is instrumental to winning or losing a distance race.

The start of this year’s race was postponed for two hours due to a severe weather forecast, but began Friday, August 18 at 1 p.m. The course lengths varied by division, and ranged from 129 to 203 nautical miles, with the double-handed division course length set at 182-nautical-miles.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.01.18

ENVOLEÉ on the YB Tracker at the start of the 2023 Ida Lewis Distance Race.

Breezy conditions continued despite the delay, with wind speeds consistently around 20 knots, gusting around 27 knots with lulls of 16 knots. Nathalie has plenty of experience in the wind aboard ENVOLEÉ, including her infamous gale comeback during the Race to Alaska. However, the sea state was horrendous during the long upwind legs of the Ida Lewis Distance Race. Most mark roundings involved sail changes, which were wet and tiring given the sea state.

ENVOLEÉ secured a commendable fifth place in the division, with Nathalie describing the race as, “Super tough competition with exceptionally good sailors in the division, including another Figaro. This makes for great racing. We lost sight of our fleet, and then found them again weaving our route in and out of theirs.” It was a physically tough race due to the conditions, but also mentally, you have to say ‘on’, knowing there’s a mark to round every 5 hours and dodging sleep for 24 hours.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.01.29

Nathalie feels at home in the breeze and at the helm during the 2023 Ida Lewis Distance Race.

Despite the interesting courses, there were very few choices to be made during the race, Nathalie said, “As it was, it was an upwind/reach/downwind parade and boat speed was key”. This differs from much of her offshore racing experience where, mark roundings are more infrequent and there is much more ‘play’ in the course. The key strategic decision was which side of Block Island to go. Nathalie and Stachel chose to go through the west side as the flood pushed ENVOLEÉ into the Sound. When the tide switched, the ebb also helped them back out on the other side of the island.

Throughout the race’s numerous mark roundings and changing weather patterns, ENVOLEÉ’s UK Sailmakers inventory proved its mettle. Nathalie has meticulously outfitted her Figaro 2 with a set of Titanium upwind sails and relied on UK Sailmakers’ spinnakers for the downwind stretches.

Full race results are available here.

Screenshot 2023 09 05 at 10.01.44

ENVOLEÉ on a downwind leg side-by-side with sixth place finisher, Sunfast 3600, LOBLOLLY.

If you’re thinking about making your own jump from one coast to the other, or beyond, Nathalie emphasizes that one key to success is familiarizing yourself with the local current patterns. She said, “On the West Coast, there is a North to South current in the summer and South to North in the winter along the coast, but strong ebb currents are otherwise present in bays, rivers, and very close to shore.”

Article Lead Image Credit: Stephen R Cloutier.

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MASTERING APPARENT WIND https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/mastering-apparent-wind/ https://www.uksailmakers.com/2023/09/05/mastering-apparent-wind/#comments Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:46:50 +0000 https://www.uksailmakers.com/?p=9270 Expert and novice sailors alike use apparent wind. Many sailors believe apparent wind is unworthy of deep consideration and take it for granted because they feel they’ve already grasped the concept. Although it’s fundamentally simple, apparent wind is dynamically complex in practice.

Apparent wind is the most important factor affecting a sailboat in motion. Apparent wind is elusive, it changes constantly as we sail; it’s the throttle by which we sail. Mastering the triggers that control apparent wind will unlock your sailing potential more than any other thing you can pay attention to. Today’s tips help you visualize apparent wind and break down how to use it.

TIP 1: LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE FEELING OF APPARENT WIND

A sailor continuously senses the apparent wind on their face and feels the hull sailing beneath them. In simple terms: the apparent wind is the wind experienced by an observer in motion and is the relative velocity of the wind in relation to the observer.

To best appreciate the relationship between apparent wind and your boat’s performance, you must mentally record the physical changes in apparent wind and boat performance over time. Focus on this relationship in 30-second intervals (or longer) to enhance your understanding. This could take you a lifetime to master.

TIP 2: UNDERSTAND THE THEORY OF APPARENT WIND

The classical theory defines the velocity of apparent wind as the vector sum of the velocity of the headwind (the wind velocity a moving object would experience in still air) plus the velocity of the true wind.

Headwind is defined by a boat’s speed and direction, taking into consideration factors such as leeway, wave resistance, current, and other motions such as rolling and pitching.

Despite its simple definition, apparent wind changes constantly and rapidly in the real world.

MASTERING APPARENT WIND

TIP 3: HARNESS APPARENT WIND

The wind blows over a sail’s surface, but the only thing that allows power to be created from a sail is its angle of attack. The angle of attack is determined by both the craft’s point of sail and how the sail is oriented with respect to the apparent wind. A sail’s angle of attack is the angle between the sail’s chord line (between the luff and leech) and the direction of the apparent wind.

MASTERING APPARENT WIND

You are responsible for the apparent wind you have, and you can influence your apparent wind vector by understanding how to control it. Subtle directional changes in relation to the true wind can have a significant impact on boat speed, in part due to the immediate changes in apparent wind.

When you’re sailing and turn toward the true wind, your apparent wind speed immediately increases; conversely, if you turn away from the true wind, the apparent wind immediately decreases. Knowing when to seek more (or less) apparent wind is a more complex concept.

TIP 4: UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF APPARENT WIND IN THE LIFT EQUATION

Sail Power (formally: Lift) is influenced MORE by apparent wind than anything!

Sail Power is a function of four notable factors:

Lift(f) = Sail Area; Sheet Angle; Sail Shape; V^2

Where, Apparent Wind = V

Sail Power varies to the SQUARE of Apparent Wind: V^2

To generate lift, a sail must present an “angle of attack” between the chord line of the sail and the apparent wind velocity.

The Lift Equation reveals it all — never underestimate anything that varies quadratically!

MASTERING APPARENT WIND

You can (and should) control your sail-power by coaxing a little more or less apparent wind! This is simply true because sail-power responds to the square of apparent wind speed. For example, if you coax your apparent wind from 8 to 9 knots because you’re a skilled sailor, you gain 8% more sail power! When the true wind is this light, an 8% increase makes the difference between keeping your boat moving or coming to dead-stop.

TIP 5: OPTIMIZE SAIL POWER

A boat’s hull is designed to perform within a narrow range of sail power. Frankly, the sailor’s job is to continually supply and drive the hull with the right amount of sail power. Sail area and sheet angle offer the foundation for sail power, but it’s the apparent wind flowing over the sail that offers throttle control. It’s imperative that a sailor optimizes the proper apparent wind across a sail to give the hull its power to keep the boat within its control specifications.

Aero/Hydro balance is designed into every boat. More power than necessary doesn’t create incremental improvements to performance — in fact, incorrectly powered sailboats are more difficult to manage; and, the risks of component failure in overly powered situations are greater than any perceived efficiency gains.

You can sense your boat’s balance given the apparent wind you’ve created and the sea state you’re sailing through. Unfortunately, I cannot offer specifics about how to get the most from this tip because this art requires intuition based on knowledge and experience. However, as you’re now equipped with my concept — it works; now, go practice!

MASTERING APPARENT WIND

TIP 6: SEEK PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

Sail with me and receive private coaching to intellectualize your hands-on growth as a sailor; it’s the best way to advance your sensitivity with the application of all my tips above. Feel free to email me with any question about this info and I’ll be happy to either speak with you by phone at (808) 895-9531 or correspond by email at: paul@moderngeographic.com

I’ve been breaking barriers in sail coaching for 36 years, and my new Mastermind Sail-Training is facilitating limitless learning in the sailors who work with me — the results are there!

Check out the best Sail Training available anywhere right now:
https://www.goanywherebysail.com/my-vid

Great sailing ahead!

Paul Exner

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