Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

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…

In early 2019 the news broke that there was a new “WOW” on the way to Ireland from Lisbon. George Sisk had added a new XP44 to his line of successful racing yachts named “WOW”. Barry Hayes reports on the…

Barry Hayes, Director of UK Sailmakers Ireland highlights some recent successes for Boats flying UK Sailmakers sails from Ireland, both around the country and in the Solent Following on from considerable inshore successes for UK Sailmakers Ireland (three IRC class…

Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland goes through the options for racing boats to go Symmetrical or Asymmetrical with their spinnakers. Barry sailed aboard George Sisk's XP44 WOW from Royal Irish Yacht Club at this year's Sovereigns Cup, where WOW…

UK Sailmakers Ireland has teamed up with Spinlock to bring sail making to the next level in Ireland for our racing customers writes Barry Hayes. We have two of Spinlocks new Sail Sense trackers on John Murphy’s J109 Outrajeous on…

There is a brand new XC45 yacht on its way to Kinsale, Co Cork writes Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland. Currently lying in the X-Yachts factory yard in Denmark; it will soon be on its way to Irish waters…

With Winter setting in and the Turkey Shoot over, it is just about time to begin making plans for the 2019 cruising season. In this article Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland provides some tips and options to make your…

With the DBSC Turkey Shoot Series starting soon on Dublin Bay and Autumn Leagues in full swing in Crosshaven, Howth, Kilrush and elsewhere, Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives some tips on how to effectively handle your boat in…

Harken agent Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives some top tips for improving your boat and servicing your Harken deck gear. Barry has been working at the highest level with Harken for 15 years, dealing with boats from Maxis, TP 52s,…

With the advent of high–tech construction, most upwind sails are now being manufactured in specialist facilities in the likes of Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and South Africa. However, some sails are still being made in Ireland in a few lofts.…

Up to about 15 years ago, most boats were designed with big overlapping headsails, which were still pretty useful when reaching because of their size. Then it became evident that this set up was not that efficient and trying to…