The North Sails Ireland team have been hitting the water hard all over the country this past couple of weeks. It's great to see light at the end of the tunnel and especially our great customers getting their new sails in the air!
Donegal
I had a fantastic "round trip" up north this week, visiting beautiful Greencastle in Co. Donegal to sail on the Beneteau First 36.7 "Minx 2".
We had a full day of rig tuning, sail fitting, control systems calibration, a mast climb for me to mark the mainsail for spreader patches and of course some great chat and banter about sailing.
Here is a pic of beautiful Lough Foyle taken from the hills above it..............
Beautiful Lough Foyle
"Minx 2" now flies a 3Di OCEAN 330 mainsail and a 3Di ENDURANCE 760 AP furling jib - take a look at the video!
Carrickfergus
It was then across to Carrickfergus in Co. Antrim, on the north shores of Belfast Lough for another sail fitting and trial on the Sigma 292 "Maji". This one was VERY late in the evening...............here is a pic I snapped of the twinkling lights of Carrick as we returned to the marina there..............
Take a look at this video of "Maji" flying her NPL (North Panelled Laminate) TOUR mainsail and furling genoa.............
Dublin Bay
On Dublin Bay, amongst others, we sail trialled the new 3Di upwind sails on the Beneteau First 31.7 "Bluefin 2". I have to say, the sails looked FANTASTIC.
3Di upwind sails on the Beneteau First 31.7 "Bluefin 2"
Greystones
In Greystones this week, Mike and Richie Evans "splashed" their new J99 "Snapshot". Shane was aboard to fit and trial some of her beautiful new sails en route over to Howth. "Snapshot", powered by her 100% North Sails inventory is a boat to watch this season.
The pic below is from her maiden voyage flying her North Sails 3Di upwind sails.
Great racing this season beckons between her and Andrew Algeo's J99 "Juggerknot 2" (also powered by North Sails!). Good luck Mike, Richie and your team!
J/99 Snapshot flying her North Sails 3Di upwind sails
Cork
In Cork, Nigel took to the water in the new family boat "North Star" (named as a nod to North Sails founder Lowell North who founded the company in 1957). She is an Albin Express and the family are looking forward to knocking a great bit of craic out of her. They started with the first Thursday night RCYC training session this week.
The North Sails GS-1 jib on "North Star"
Good luck to everyone taking to the water this weekend guys. There's action all over the country and I'd say you are all CHAMPING at the bit!
From me (Prof), Nigel and Shane - sail FAST and safe.
Maurice O'Connell
