Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Olympian Mark Mansfield is the J/Boat agent for Ireland. Here he describes sailing the multipurpose J/99, its improving performance and why this new J/boat model is shortlisted for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The J/99 is one of 12 models that…

Irish Key Yachting agent Mark Mansfield now has a New (demo model) Nautitech 46 Open Catamaran available for immediate delivery for the coming season. This is a high-specified model, with sails, instruments included in the package including Code 0 equipment.…

Mark Mansfield, four-time Olympian, professional sailor/coach and J Boats and Grand Soleil agent for Ireland, outlines why he has decided to link up as an agent for Quantum Sails. I was recently appointed the Irish agent for J Boats and…

The Grand Soleil 44 is the new performance yacht of the Cantiere del Pardo yacht builders writes Irish agent Mark Mansfield of Key Yachting. To rise to this challenge, Cantiere del Pardo has turned to the designer who, in recent years,…

The official presentation of the new Grand Soleil 44 Performance to the press will take place on Tuesday 21st January 16:30 on the Grand Soleil stand. Boot Dusseldorf will be the first chance to glimpse the latest design from Grand…

Mark Mansfield, J Boats agent for Ireland will be on the J Boats stand at the Dusseldorf Boat Show from the 18th of January. One of the three boats that J Boats will be showing will be the J/99, which…

Mark Mansfield, Irish Agent for Nautitech Catamarans, as well as J Boats, Grand Soleil, and Tofinou, outlines the models that will be on show from their four ranges. From Nautitech Catamarans, we’ll welcome you on board the fabulous 46 Flybridge.…

The J112E has been one of the most successful models of the J Boat range since its introduction a couple of seasons ago, providing the perfect combination of a luxurious interior with top-level racing performance. The design brief of the…

Mark Mansfield, newly appointed Irish agent for Grand Soleil yachts and J Boats, is sharing the announcement that the Grand Soleil 42 Long Cruise has been shortlisted in the Luxury Cruiser category for the 2020 European Yacht of the Year…

Olympian and Sailing Coach Mark Mansfield runs through the options available for an owner looking to buy a new boat for racing in the 30 to 50-foot range and picks his top 15 from the market Having sailed in numerous…

Olympic helmsman Mark Mansfield, who is now a sailing coach, provides some sailor-focused thoughts for Race Officers Over the past few years, I have been competing in various sailing events throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. Very often…

Irish Olympic helmsman Mark Mansfield picks his big (and smaller) events coming up for the Irish cruiser classes in 2020 The 2019 season is only just coming towards its end and already owners and crew are looking ahead at what…

Olympic sailor Mark Mansfield who is an agent for UK Sailmakers Ireland offers his five top tips for those looking at buying new sails this year. 1. Correct Size Sails Make sure the new sails are the correct size. IRC…

Olympic keelboat helmsman Mark Mansfield of UK Sailmakers Ireland discusses headsail options  If you go back 20 years, or even 15, most designs coming out had large overlapping (headsail goes outside the shrouds) headsails to give them power in the light airs.…

Cork Harbour Olympic helmsman and Sailing Professional Mark Mansfield competed in May's Scottish Series and gives his views on the fleet at Tarbert. I raced as tactician on Stuart Cranston's new acquisition, The Ker 32, Hijacker from Strangford Lough. This boat was previously Checkmate which…

Four-time Olympic Helmsman, Sailing Coach and Agent/Consultant for UK Sailmakers Ireland, Mark Mansfield explains how the Helm and Trimmers on larger keelboats and cruisers should be in continual communication to go fast on the race course Following on from the…

Recent orders from some of Ireland’s largest racing yachts have made for a busy winter period for the UK Sailmakers Ireland team writes Mark Mansfield. Last year the Farr 43 “WOW” and the new J121 “Jackhammer” were feature boats for UK Sailmakers Ireland;…

Following on from his top tips articles for upwind and downwind helming techniques, UK Sailmakers Ireland agent and sailing professional/coach Mark Mansfield gives tips for prepping your race boat for the sailing season ahead. Tip #1—Improve Bottom Finish So many…

Olympic Helmsman Mark Mansfield, who is a Consultant for UK Sailmakers Ireland, gives his ten top tips on sailing fast – and in control – downwind. This article follows his previous tips on upwind helming Tip #1 Downwind steering in strong winds, while running,…

Mark Mansfield, racing consultant and agent for UK Sailmakers Ireland, gives Afloat.ie readers ten top tips on helming techniques. It's an area where he has extensive experience, having competed in four Olympic Regattas, over 30 World and European Championships in various…