Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland (in conjunction with Jenny Howells of the RORC Rating Office) explains the main difference between a flying Jib and an IRC flying headsail  The main difference between a flying Jib and an IRC flying…

We would like to wish all our customer a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2021. In such a hard year, we would like to thank everyone for all the support and most of all the staff and people who helped…

Small fathead mainsails, where the roach of the sail is increased due to a considerably wider head of the sail, are starting to pop-up on the racecourse and they are proving to be a winner. Getting extra sail area on…

Racing a J/109 in IRC has its compromises because you're sailing with asymmetrics, you're limited to certain angles and only so much boat speed is generated both up-wind and down. While living in Hong Kong, I raced the J/109 Whiskey…

What has Brexit got to do with your winter sails service this year? Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland, explains the situation and why it’s such an urgent matter. Dear customers, I want to let you know it’s really urgent if…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland with tips on the dos and don'ts of reefing a sail for racing and cruising Times have changed, and this season we have moved to more ISORA short course, offshore sailing. This trend will…

Next Thursday week (September 8th) is the last evening race in the 2020 Dublin Bay Sailing Club season writes Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland. As the summer season draws to a close, it is time to consider what we…

We've been working hard this weekend to keep the 1720 sportsboat boys in the game at the AIB Southern Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club. When you rip it, UK Sailmakers Ireland can fix it in time for the next…

Cork Harbour sailors Mel and Kieran Collins from Crosshaven describe how they transformed Coracle VI, their vintage Olson 30, into an 'IRC weapon' Prior to buying the boat, we did extensive research on which boat to buy and why. The…

In this article, Barry Hayes (UK Sailmakers Ireland) and Pat Considine (UK Sailmakers Chicago) explain headsail vertical camber and why it’s so important to boat speed and performance of the boat. In reality, understanding headsail vertical camber is the modern…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives his top tips on the backstay and using it to get the most out of your boat Now that we are back open making and repairing sail, getting back into sailing will be…

Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland goes through the different options for racing boats going 'Symmetrical' or 'Asymmetrical' with their spinnakers. What’s best and why? In the past 15 years, spinnaker options have increased considerably. Prior to that, it was…

UK Sailmakers Ireland’s Barry Hayes looks at the differences between Code Zeros and Flying Jibs on IRC, what are the best angles for each and tips for using them. Both sails are used reaching, but at what angels and why…

In light of the Government's safety guidelines, UK Sailmakers Ireland in Crosshaven has taken the decision to close the loft to customers, both for the safety of our staff and customers. This has not affected the production or delivery of…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives his top tips on how to be the best bowman  Any bowman worth his salt is fast on his feet, strong as an ox, and agile enough to climb the mast. The bowman…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives his top ten sail trim tips for the coming season 1. Know your sails, know your settings Many boats sailing inshore with non-overlapping headsail setup regularly use up to three headsails. It is…

The art of sail design has come a long way since the days of hand-dawn files and even rudimentary CAD design programmes. Today, UK Sailmakers Ireland uses SAILPACK which, in our opinion, is the best sail design program on the…

The Winter period is the best time for getting your sails serviced writes Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland. Whether it’s your car, your own health, or your sails, it is no secret that an annual check-up and service is…

A perfect Christmas gift for the sailor in your life - the McWilliam bag is the ideal bag to take on your boat, as it is rugged and water-resistant. This Black Friday we’re offering 10% off everything in our McWilliams…

The pit or “strings” is a vital role aboard any boat; but not just mechanically, explains Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland. A good pit person is involved in everything. Every sail manoeuvre, the start, on the rail, aiding communication…