Busy UK Sailmakers Ireland is All Set For the Summer Sailing Season's Big Regattas

24th May 2024

Barry Hayes

Promoted

A new titanium Carbon Main sail IRC optimised on the Dublin Bay yacht Wow, an X-TREME 37

With the racing season underway, UK Sailmakers Ireland looks forward to this season's big events, such as the Round Ireland Race, Cork Week and the IRC European Championships.

We have had a super busy start to 2024, and we're keen to see all the sails we fixed/serviced/washed and new sails out on the water.

For those of you who cut the grass and found your sails behind the lawnmower or in the attic, don’t worry; you're in good hands! We are only 50 years doing this! We will get you sorted and back out sailing...

The UK Sailmakers Ireland plotter cutting sails in Cork

We have completed all our winter service work, washing sails and repairing sails, and UK Sailmakers Ireland are now super busy with racing repairs/recuts currently for new furlers and getting sails optimised for the racing season ahead.

A UK Sailmakers Ireland XD carbon mainsail

This new J109 XD Carbon mainsail with taffeta for offshore racing is one example, with Rutgerson slides on the luff for ease of handling while racing and with low friction rings in the clews to make reefing easier.

Low friction rings with tie in battens on a J109 XD Carbon mainsail with taffeta

We are delighted to finally have all the Shannon One Design main sails delivered and out on the water at a mid-May training weekend. Mermaid sails are also in production and are about to be finished for the season. Howth 17 sails are also in production.

UK Sailmakers Ireland Shannon One Design mainsail

Remember if you need any repairs or recuts. You can put your sails in any of our sail repair boxes in Howth, Dun Laoghaire marina, RCYC, or Kinsale, or call Hammy Baker in the North, and we will get you back on the water in no time.

The UK Sailmakers Ireland Sail Box at Howth Yacht Club (above) and Dun Laoghaire Marina below

Published in UK Sailmakers Ireland

About the Loft

UK Sailmakers Ireland brings modern professional sailmaking to Irish Sailing. Formerly known as McWilliam Sailmakers; the company was started 47 years ago to bring the latest technology to Irish sailors - we continue this mission today.

Under new leadership in 2018; our loft is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of all Irish sailors. As sailmakers, we do not just design sails for boats. We design and build sails for your boat. Our extensive and versatile product line allows us to produce sails to suit your requirements and expectations.

As a core loft within the UK Sailmakers Group, we are uniquely placed to draw from a worldwide pool of knowledge and experience - these ties have been recently strengthened with the return of Barry Hayes and Claire Morgan from Hong Kong. Barry held a key role in our primary production facility on Hong Kong Island for the past fifteen years. With their return comes a renewed focus on technology R&D on Irish waters.

With a wide variety of sailing conditions and an impressive pool of talent, the Irish cruiser racing fleet is the ideal testbed for new technologies.

As with all things in sailing; the secrets will be closely guarded - but for the first time in decades Irish sailors will be at the forefront of sail technology development.

Although much has changed; some constants remain. The same great sail and customer service we have provided in the past will continue, as does our commitment and passion for growing the sport of sailing all over the country.

Barry Hayes [email protected]

Contact Information:

UK Sailmakers Ireland

Kilnagary Business Park

Carrigaline

County Cork

P43 YR22

Republic of Ireland

Tel: +353 21 4831505

Fax: +353 21 4831700

Email: [email protected]

Published in UK Sailmakers Ireland

Tagged under

UK Sailmakers

About The Author

Barry Hayes

Email The Author

Barry Hayes, Director of UK Sails Ireland, managed the main UK Production facility for UK Sails in Hong Kong until last October and has been a sail designer with UK sails for over 15 years.

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