The Ewincher 2: Power, Speed, and Comfort

The Ewincher 2 is a game-changing electric winch handle that makes trimming sails, hoisting crew, and rolling furlers effortless. Lightweight, ergonomic, and incredibly versatile, it locks securely into your winch and can be used in electric, manual, or combined mode. With 20% more power and 20% longer battery life than the original, the Ewincher 2 is the ultimate tool for shorthanded sailors and cruising couples. It’s even strong enough to hoist a 110-kg crew member up the mast multiple times on a single charge!

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Over three days, the event featured insightful presentations from industry experts and detailed design and marketing updates by UK Sailmakers committee leaders. Participants engaged in collaborative discussions on the latest sailmaking innovations, software tools, and strategies for the unique demands of racing and cruising markets across diverse regions.

These loft managers are not only passionate sailors but also independent business owners. They understand the value of belonging to a global company, where shared ideas and technologies empower each loft and strengthen UK Sailmakers’ reputation worldwide.

One highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2024 UK Sailmakers Loft of the Year award to UK Sailmakers Belgium, in honor of Michel Lefebvre Jr.’s significant contributions to the group.

The 2025 Managers Meeting is scheduled to take place in Durban, South Africa, where attendees will have the chance to connect with the newest production loft in the network, adding another exciting chapter to UK Sailmakers’ ongoing success story.

Special thanks to Barış and Bülent Çelik and their incredible team at UK Sailmakers Türkiye for their warm hospitality and for organizing memorable evening outings for the attendees.

Why Winter Sail Service Matters

After a busy spring and summer of sailing, your sails deserve some attention. Whether your season was light or full of action, winter is the perfect time to inspect, repair, and properly store your sails. UK Sailmakers offers comprehensive winter service programs to preserve the life, performance, and appearance of your sails.

Our expert sailmakers are trained to spot potential issues—stitching, batten pockets, UV covers, corners, chafing, and edges—that could turn into costly surprises later. From inspections and repairs to cleaning and storage solutions, we’ll make sure your sails are in peak condition when the season begins.

Preventing Sail Failures

Whether you’re a racer or cruiser, no sailor wants to experience a dramatic sail failure on the water. Many of these issues can be avoided with annual maintenance, bring them to your local UK Sailmakers loft for a thorough inspection. Our experts will identify and address minor problems now so they don’t become major headaches next season.

Is It Time for New Sails?

If your sails are nearing the end of their lifespan, autumn and winter are the ideal seasons to invest in replacements. UK Sailmakers can help you choose the right sails for your boat and your sailing style. From high-performance Titanium® sails to versatile X-Drive® options, durable Dacron, or custom spinnakers, we’ve got you covered. Ordering now ensures you’ll get the best pricing and have your new sails ready for spring sailing.

Contact Us Today

Don’t wait for spring to think about your sails. Contact your nearest UK Sailmakers loft today to discuss your needs. Sailmaking is not just what we do—it’s our passion. Let us help you care for your sails this winter so you can hit the water with confidence next season, your sails will thank you.

The race saw a small but competitive fleet take on breezy conditions, with winds exceeding 25 knots in a building sea state. For the crew of OBSESSION, led by owner and skipper Paul Arns, these conditions were an opportunity to showcase the boat’s speed and the team’s skill.

“Results are in – a fast but tough race for the first of the Blue Water Series,” said Arns. “Hats off to all the boats who entered. Obsession slugged it out for 16 hours to take line honors and 1st place on both IRC and PHF. Thanks to our Race Control team for looking after everyone.”

The race began at 0930 with moderate breezes, intensifying throughout the day. OBSESSION hit thrilling speeds of over 21 knots under their A4 spinnaker—powered by their growing inventory of UK Sailmakers Fremantle Titanium sails and Matrix spinnakers. These sails, known for their durability and high performance, were instrumental in OBSESSION’s ability to harness the conditions and maintain their edge over the fleet.

Crossing the finish line around midnight, OBSESSION completed the race in approximately 16 hours, setting the tone for the rest of the series. With every race counting toward the overall championship, their impressive start puts them in a strong position for the season ahead.

The victory in the Blue Water Series opener sets a high bar for OBSESSION in the Blue Water Series. Congratulations to Paul Arns and Team OBSESSION for an outstanding win in the West Coaster Race.

Featured image courtesy of the Fremantle Sailing Club.

The Bitter Ender Race, co-hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club and the Storm Trysail on Saturday, October 19, was aptly named for most years. Mid-October conditions on Long Island Sound tend to be chilly and windy (the Bitter reference) and this is the last major Long Island Sound race of the season (the Ender). This year’s race retained its Ender status; but the conditions were far from Bitter.

In that this was only the second running of the Bitter Ender, not everyone is aware of its unique configuration. First, it’s a double-handed race. That’s not so unusual; however, whereas traditional races start at specific times, the Bitter Ender uses a “starting window.” With the course announced the evening before, sailors are able to combine wind speed and direction projections with current shifts to optimize exactly when to start during the 4-hour starting window.

This year’s starting window opened at noon with the start set right off the Larchmont Breakwater. Given the forecast for very light winds on Saturday, the race committee decided that a third, shorter course would be sailed. The longer course options are 82 and 60 nm, but reflecting the forecast, a third, 32 nm course was designated, sending boats around Eaton’s Neck and the Cows off Stamford before returning to Larchmont.

Eight boats competed in this year’s Bitter Ender ranging in length from Sarah and Josh Reisberg’s scratch boat ABILYN, a 40’ J/120 to Andrew Weiss’ 29’ J/88 ONE TOO MANY. The doldrum that existed at noon was forecast to fill with a sea breeze so, when the starting window opened at 1000, no competitors chose to start. The starting window was ultimately extended until 1600. It wasn’t until around 1500 that the southerly sea breeze appeared. Andy Lubimov’s Sun Fast 37 SANGUINE from Huguenot Yacht Club was first across the line at 15:27. By 1552, all eight boats had started their first leg, a 16-mile reach to Eaton’s Neck buoy.

Off the line, depending on the sails available, boats set spinnakers, code zeros, or large jibs. Although there was a following current and a fair wind direction, the boats split north and south of the rhumb line. Some of the larger boats including Peter McWhinnie’s JPK 1080 IN THEORY (with Rich du Moulin as crew) and Reisberg’s ABILYN hugged the Connecticut shore with spinnakers hoping for an overshoot of the sea breeze while eventual winner Andrew Weiss, Rear Commodore of Larchmont Yacht Club and Vice Commodore of Storm Trysail Club, sailed south of the rhumb with a closer reaching code zero anticipating the wind to fill in without the overshoot. Weiss’ prediction proved accurate and his ONE TOO MANY (sailing with Colin Fitzpatrick) got the wind first and rounded Eaton’s before the competition.

Once around Eaton’s, the wind had shifted to 210 o -222o making the leg to the Cows a close reach. With a longer waterline, ABILYN passed ONE TOO MANY on that leg and rounded Cows first. The 11-mile leg back to the finish was a port-favored beat. Near Flat Neck Point in Greenwich, Reisberg tacked south out into the Sound whereas Weiss continued to hug the shore to stay out of the foul current that was now ebbing. When these two lead boats converged again off Rye Weiss was again in the lead only to be overtaken again by the larger boat in the final 2-3 miles. Reisberg finished in the dark at 2223 with an elapsed time of 6:47 with Weiss four minutes behind.

Ultimately, it was Weiss who corrected out as the winner with Reisberg in fourth. Second place went to Leopold Brandl and Luis Vieira from Lion Sailing aboard SANGUINE, a J/100 with Todd Aven and Gerard Girstl on Aven’s J/99 THIN MAN from City Island Yacht Club and the STC in third.

Weiss summed-up the race, “This was an interesting double-hander on a boat with no autopilot. At times, we put the tiller extension on the gear shifter to steer while we handled the boat and sails. The key to our success was staying to the south on the leg to Eaton’s. Us getting the new breeze first pushed us ahead of the fleet…all of which were bigger boats. The second leg to Cows was straight forward, but our playing the shore back to Larchmont from Stamford protected our lead. There was some good competition out there in these flukey conditions. Also, as a Flag Officer of both of the host Clubs, I was very pleased to have won this new race’s second running. I’m also glad that we had really nice sailing conditions and that the ‘bitter’ aspect of the Bitter Ender didn’t materialize.”

This was Bertrand Amezcua’s first double-handed race. He sailed his Hanse 418 TOBOLA with fellow LYC member Nic Buc. Racing against more racing-focused boats with a lot of double-handed experience, Bertrand and Nic had a memorable, positive experience despite not finishing until 0104 on Sunday morning.

Thank you race committee for staying on station until all boats had finished. Amezcua’s takeaway from the race was, “At the end of the day, a cruising boat designed for a couple and their kids is the perfect double-hander. My boat was super fun to sail in the Bitter Ender. It would have been better if the wind hadn’t died two miles before we finished, but it was still a great day of sailing. I look forward to next year’s Bitter Ender…and the spring’s Edlu!“

Results available here. 

David, alongside Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland, has been part of a project to design a modern sail for this historic class, bringing renewed energy to a boat design over a century old.

You can read more about the new Shannon One Design sails being made at UK Sailmakers Ireland here. The sails are available for purchase through their loft, located in Cork. 

Video Image Credits: David Dickson and Google Images.

Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

WHISKEY JACK Takes the Win in IRC Racer 3

In IRC Racer 3, Nick Southward’s WHISKEY JACK sailed to a commanding victory, finishing three points ahead of defending champion JUICE. With fierce competition throughout the regatta, WHISKEY JACK’s UK Sailmakers Hong Kong sails provided the precision and speed needed to secure the win. Their newly launched A2 spinnaker, crafted by UK Sailmakers Hong Kong and expertly designed by Pat Considine of UK Sailmakers Chicago, gave the J/109 a decisive boost, helping them claim the top spot. ZESST also delivered a strong performance, rounding out the podium with a 3rd place finish.

SEAWOLF Impresses in IRC Division 0

William Liu’s SEAWOLF, equipped with a partial UK Sailmakers inventory, raced against a formidable lineup in IRC Division 0, including three TP52s—RAMPAGE 88, FREEFIRE, and HAPPY GO. Despite the tough competition, SEAWOLF finished third overall, showcasing both the team’s tactical prowess and the reliability of their UK Sailmakers sails.

Strong Showings from TAI CHI, ARCTURUS+, and WILD CARD

In the hotly contested IRC Cape 31 division, Randy Yeung’s TAI CHI battled fiercely against top competitors to finish fourth overall. Meanwhile, in IRC Racer 2, Dennis Chien’s ARCTURUS+ took third place, with Glenn Smith’s WILD CARD close behind in fourth. Both teams displayed excellent boat handling throughout the regatta.

FENICE Dominates IRC Premier Cruiser

FENICE, a new entry helmed by Franco Cutrupia, also equipped with a partial UK Sailmakers inventory, claimed first place in IRC Premier Cruiser with three race wins out of four. The Solaris 60 outpaced Peter Churchouse’s MOONBLUE 2, securing the division title.

Other Notable Performances

In the PHS division, Eddy Lee’s GENERATIONS delivered a solid performance to secure third place, continuing their track record of success in Hong Kong’s regattas.

A Memorable Regatta for UK Sailmakers Teams

This year’s Volvo China Coast Regatta was a true test of tactics, boat handling, and sail performance. UK Sailmakers is proud to have supported these exceptional teams, whose achievements in the regatta are a testament to the precision and durability of our sails.

Congratulations to WHISKEY JACK, SEAWOLF, TAI CHI, ARCTURUS+, WILD CARD, ZESST, FENICE, and GENERATIONS for their impressive performances. We look forward to seeing these teams continue to excel in future races!

To achieve this, Opländer outfitted his Swan 54 with a Hall Spars carbon mast and a V-shaped carbon boom, maximizing the boat’s sailing capabilities. With a passion for both family and competitive team sailing, he began to race the heavier cruiser for fun in prestigious events like the Rolex Swan Cup and Copa del Rey. While competing for enjoyment was the goal, the results were promising, even against more race-optimized yachts.

In 2023, Opländer set his sights higher. He decided to compete in the Rolex Swan Cup 2024, with an ambitious goal: a podium finish in Porto Cervo. This was a tall order for a cruising boat and a predominantly Corinthian crew, but it’s a challenge that Jan and his team embraced. Racing in the largest class of the event, Division C Swan Cruiser with 16 entrants, KATIMA not only reached the podium but claimed the top spot. With a string of 1st-place finishes, they secured the division title, taking home the coveted trophy and a prized Rolex watch.

The journey to optimization began when Jan called in his navigator, Tim “Timmy” Kröger, along with a few key crew members. Working closely with Stefan Voss at UK Sailmakers Germany and Pat Considine, UK’s Lead Designer based in Chicago, they developed a comprehensive plan to enhance KATIMA’s performance.

Their strategy included upgrades to the mainsheet controls, hull and keel maintenance, and ORC optimization from C Performance. The most impactful improvement was a new set of UK Sailmakers Titanium upwind sails, specifically designed to improve KATIMA’s light-air performance. These sails made a transformative difference, enabling the 20+ ton yacht to accelerate and point higher in conditions where it had previously struggled.

With a well-prepared boat and a crew who had honed their skills through racing aboard the Swan 45, Jan and his team were ready for the next challenge. Throughout 2024, Jan had fine-tuned his skills at the helm, pushing himself to a near-pro level. Armed with this experience, KATIMA entered the Rolex Swan Cup 2024 ready for competition. What followed was an incredible run, with KATIMA dominating the Division C Swan Cruiser class, clinching the top spot. In fact, the Swan 54 KATIMA was able to discard a 2nd place finish and secure the win with an impressive 1-1-1 picket-fence scoreline.

UK Sailmakers is proud to have been part of KATIMA’s success story. The combination of steady improvements, teamwork, and perseverance proved to be a winning formula. Congratulations to Jan Opländer and Team KATIMA for their outstanding achievement!

On-water photos from 1720 Sportsboat Southern Championships Ⓒ Shona Gibson / sg.media.

McDonald’s team showcased impressive skill, claiming three first-place finishes in the five-race series. With a final score of 5 points after a drop, the ROPE DOCK ATARA crew once again demonstrated their dominance. This latest victory is part of an incredible season for McDonald and his team, who have also claimed the 1720 Irish National Championship and European Championship titles this year. Their consistent performance has cemented them as one of the premier teams in the highly competitive 1720 class.

Also performing strongly were Fionn Lyden’s SPICED BEEF, finishing in second place, and Rory Lynch’s MO, finishing fourth overall. It was fantastic to see such strong representation of UK Sailmakers Ireland one design sails throughout the 14-boat fleet, powering many of the top performers in this competitive regatta. We’re proud to see UK Sailmakers’ sails featured at the forefront of the action and look forward to the future successes of these talented sailors.

UK Sailmakers brings a wealth of expertise to the event. Meet Mark Wood, owner of UK Sailmakers Miami, as well as Ant Steward of UK Sailmakers Chesapeake and staff from the UK Sailmakers Northeast location. These seasoned professionals are your go-to source for sail information, whether you’re a weekend cruiser or Grand Prix racer, they have your questions covered!

At the UK Sailmakers booth, you’ll find a demonstration of their finest products, including a variety of X-Drive® and dacron sample sails. But the real treat is for those considering a new sail purchase; UK Sailmakers offers on-the-spot, no-obligation quotes with discounts available for select orders placed during the show.

Beyond sails, UK Sailmakers is your gateway to the latest sailing products. They proudly serve as dealers for Oxley Stabilizing spinnakers and the Ewincher 2 electric winch handle. And for those seeking retail merchandise, don’t miss their selection of UK Sailmakers duffle bags and exciting giveaways throughout the event.

Responsible sailing and environmental stewardship take center stage at the Annapolis Boat Shows. Water refill stations, reusable bags, and recycling bins underscore the commitment to sustainability. The shows feature eco-friendly products, energy-efficient boats, and cutting-edge technologies. Talk to the staff at the UK Sailmakers booth to learn about some of the recycled and partially-recycled sailcloth options for your next sail.

Seasoned and novice sailors alike will enjoy connecting with fellow sailors while exploring the docks featuring over 100 sailboats on display during this internationally acclaimed show. The 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show boasts the world’s largest selection of multihulls, with over 50 models from 24 manufacturers. From the compact Guppy to stunning 66-foot catamarans, explore various options and engage with our multihull experts at the UK Sailmakers booth.

These shows are not merely about the boats; they celebrate the entire boating lifestyle. Immerse yourself in the company of fellow enthusiasts and gain insights from industry experts at this year’s event. Chart your course to UK Sailmakers at the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show this October, where our seasoned staff will empower you to Sail with Confidence.

For more information and to purchase tickets for this year’s show, visit the Annapolis Sailboat Show webpage here.

In a world where innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand and creativity and artistry can blend in sailmaking UK Sailmakers Door County (John McMahon’s Scandia Canvas Works in Wisconsin) is proud to support projects that combine creativity and environmental consciousness. A shining example of this commitment is McMahon’s hiring of Kemily Kneeland, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whose passion for sewing and design has evolved into a mission for sustainability. As an avid sailor, Kemily’s deep connection to the Great Lakes and oceans fuels her desire to protect the environment. Through her internship at UK Sailmakers Door County—part of the UK Sailmakers Chicago network—she has honed her craft and created new products while repurposing sailmaking materials that would otherwise be discarded.

Kemily created many custom bags from recycled sail material during her internship at UK Sailmakers Door County.

Kemily’s journey into the world of textile and fashion design began at the age of 14–sailmaking came much later. She asked her grandmother to teach her to sew a plaid skirt. That moment sparked a love for sewing that has only grown stronger over time. Whether she’s transforming a mother’s wedding dress into a cherished robe for her daughter’s special day or crafting a custom sweatshirt for her brother, Kemily’s design creativity and application of materials shine through in every project. She literally breathes new life into old materials which become a defining characteristic of her work. All this is reflected both her design skills and her commitment to sustainability.

Kemily’s previous upcycling ideas includes a redesign of a mother’s wedding dress for her daughter’s wedding day getting-ready robe, a sustainable and sentimental project.

Her school and sailing path led her to UK Sailmakers Door County in 2023, where she found the perfect environment to channel her creativity into practical, sustainable designs. As the “bag girl” at the loft, Kemily spent her days upcycling old sails and Sunbrella fabric into stylish tote bags for customers. This hands-on experience showed her how even the smallest offcuts could be saved and later transformed into something new and functional. Working closely with these repurposed materials has inspired her to continue integrating eco-friendly practices into her future design work.

The local, family-owned atmosphere of UK Sailmakers Door County was the ideal environment for Kemily allowing her the freedom to experiment and grow as a designer. Whether creating custom sail bags or doing a canvas repair, her supervisors encouraged her to let her creativity and fashion design flare lead the way. One of her favorite projects involved crafting an 11-by-9-foot flag for a marina. While this may sound like a simple project, such a large-scale endeavor pushed her to carefully plan and execute each detail with precision. The diverse and challenging assignments she was given during her internship expanded her skills and boosted her confidence as a designer.

One of Kemily’s unique projects came as a personal challenge from John McMahon. McMahon encouraged Kemily to think outside the box and tasked her with creating a custom outfit–a dress–from old sailcloth. Rising to the challenge, she designed and crafted a two-piece dress that incorporated used sail grommets, old headsail clips, and a striking mix of white and red sailcloth. The resulting garment was bold by anyone’s standard and captured the essence of sustainable, functional design.

Kemily Kneeland (left) and her final project, a dress made from recycled sails and hardware.

As Kemily looks toward the future, she remains determined to incorporate recycled materials into her design projects. She’s passionate about raising awareness of the environmental impacts of fast fashion and continually seeks new ways to repurpose textiles. The lessons she learned at UK Sailmakers Door County—especially the importance of making the most of every scrap of material—will remain with her throughout her career. Whether she’s creating a tote bag from offcuts or designing a dress from repurposed materials, Kemily is committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability through her work.

UK Sailmakers is proud to support emerging talents like Kemily. She brought to us fresh ideas and a strong commitment to sustainability. In turn, UK gave her the foundation from which to launch her sustainable design career. Our local lofts, as did UK Sailmakers Door County, provide the perfect platform for creative minds to flourish while contributing to a more sustainable future for sailing. As Kemily continues her journey in design, UK Sailmakers is excited to see how her passion for sustainability and creativity will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

Kemily is actively pursuing new ideas for projects, internships, and career opportunities. She can be reached at KemilyKneelandFashion@gmail.com.

One such “restart” happened on Day 3 of this year’s New York Yacht Club Cruise last month. The course was from Greenport on the North Fork of Long Island to Sag Harbor, across Shelter Island from Greenport to the south. To make the course “interesting,” the Race Committee set a turning mark 5.5 nm inside Peconic Bay giving us a long beat followed by a long run. To make things even more interesting, there were forecasts of storms rolling across Long Island that afternoon.

I was sailing as one of four onboard Andrew & Linda Weiss’ CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, an Italia 11.98 that we had entered in the non-spinnaker division. Our objective was to have fun and, if we could win a race or two, that would be even better. In the first two races, we split wins with Patty Young’s Swan 42 ENTROPY. While DRAGON had a great rating, ENTROPY was well sailed by a full crew and her waterline gave her the legs to get out in the lead. She would be tough to beat on any given day.

OK, Mom, we won the start but, as was the case, the long, light, and flukey windward leg into Peconic Bay saw ENTROPY extend well on us. In fact, Patty told us later that they had us by over 19 minutes on the western most turning mark. The run home to the finish off Sag Harbor was dead down wind and, with both boats sporting non-overlapping jibs sailing wing-on-wing, we found the spinnaker divisions that started after us catching up. Then the wheels started to come off!

ENTROPY, NYYC Commodore Jay Cross’ Frers 74, FOGGY, and Former NYYC Commodore Paul Zabetakis’ Swan 42, IMPETUOUS, were easily over a mile ahead of us as we were halfway back out of Peconic Bay. We looked back at the slower boats behind us as the sky darkened and the forecasted front swept diagonally across the course, getting everyone behind us very wet with a short burst of wind. Being beyond the footprint of the front, we continued to sail in the sun and light breezes.

Then it happened…

IMPETUOUS had turned the last mark on her way to the finish off Sag Harbor and was out of sight; but it appeared ENTROPY and FOGGY were stopped right after the next mark and just short of the Sag Harbor/Shelter Island Ferry. There was a Race Committee RHIB in the vicinity…had they shortened the race? When in doubt, take out the binoculars and look! To our astonishment, while we were still sailing in 6-8 knots of wind, the two boats ahead had hit a wall of absolutely no wind and were just sitting there. In fact, Patty Young later commented that they saw 5-6 ferries cross the channel as they sat there watching us bring down the wind with us.

There we were, rounding the mark and side-by-side with ENTROPY having erased her nearly 20-minute lead. And the 72’ FOGGY was sitting there, too. As we sailed in, we were joined by DORADE, the Classic S&S yawl and another boat under spinnaker. The race had restarted!

As we worked our way up to the leaders, our eyes were mostly behind us. Where would the wind fill, die, or hold? And there were sandbars we had to avoid at all costs. On top of that, the wind was oscillating so we found ourselves gybing back and forth.

Quick tactics and keeping heads out of the boat was essential as we transitioned from puff to lull, from one point of sail to another. As the wind started to fill in and we were now on-the-wind, we were almost to the right hand beach when we had to tack out onto starboard. And…we were short handed. Importantly, there are times when you just do the right thing: as we tacked onto starboard to avoid the beach DORADE was to our left on port changing from a reaching spinnaker to a jib. There was a full fire drill in progress on DORADE’s bow. Rather than play port/starboard in this ever-changing situation, Andrew bore off and passed astern of this grand dame of sailing. “There’s no way we’re going to starboard tack DORADE!”

The wind filled finally. FOGGY and ENTROPY were off like rockets, but they only had about two miles left and that wouldn’t be enough run room to save their time. We came across the finish line with big smiles on our faces. We had anticipated the weather shifts. We had talked through each maneuver at least once before executing them. We kept our heads out of the boat – except for the navigator Larry Fox whose job it was to keep us off the beaches. We transitioned well from situation to situation. And while ENTROPY had sailed an exceptional race, the wind gods didn’t smile on them that day.

Oh, yeah, Mom, we not only won the start…but the race and ORC Non-Spinnaker, too.

Note: CHRISTOPHER DRAGON XII is a long-time UK Sailmakers Northeast customer and we sailed with our Titanium mainsail and X-Drive J1 for the majority of the Cruise.

Image Credits: Nick Woviotis/Skylla Filmworks and Linda Weiss

For Meghan Pesch Mutlu, this year’s series was a thrilling opportunity to step into a leadership role aboard the J/105 BON BON, owned by Uzi Ozeri. Based out of Lakewood Yacht Club, BON BON is a familiar sight on the water, especially with Meghan trimming the headsail and spinnaker. However, during the Mermaid Regatta on August 24th, Meghan found herself at the helm, leading her team to victory in this one-day event held at Houston Yacht Club. Congratulations to BON BON’s fantastic Mermaid Regatta crew: Cynthia Powell, Karla Gonzalez, Patricia Krutowskis, Olivia Gamez Holzhaus, Kelly Bates, and Allie Cribbs!

The race conditions couldn’t have been better. The morning breeze started at a moderate 8-10 knots, and by afternoon, the wind had built to a solid 17-18 knots, offering thrilling downwind runs for the two distance races. Each race took the fleet around buoys and fixed marks in Galveston Bay, covering roughly 10 nautical miles. Meghan and her crew demonstrated expert boat handling, winning both races and securing the fastest combined corrected time for the day. Their efforts were rewarded with the overall regatta win and the Mermaid Perpetual Trophy.

When asked about her sailing journey, Meghan shared, “I’ve been sailing since I was young, mostly in dinghies where I loved skippering. After college, the opportunities to drive became less frequent since I don’t own a boat, but these women’s events push you out of your comfort zone. They give you that little extra incentive to ask to borrow a boat and step into that leadership role.”

Meghan was quick to acknowledge the generosity of BON BON’s owner, Uzi Ozeri, and the importance of events like the Galveston Bay Women’s Championship Series. “I really appreciate Uzi lending us BON BON for these races. Women’s events like this are vital—they help more women get into sailing and grow as skippers. Hopefully, we’ll see the fleet continue to grow in the future.”

BON BON’s success on the water is also a testament to the quality of its sails, crafted by Pedro Gianotti at UK Sailmakers Texas. Known for his expertise in One Design classes like the J/105, Pedro’s sails have a reputation for speed and reliability. Meghan, who handles the headsail and spinnaker as BON BON’s primary trimmer, praised his work, especially the timely repair of their spinnaker just a week before the Mermaid Regatta. “The sails are fast and consistently deliver. Pedro repaired a hole in the spinnaker from the weekend before, and it performed flawlessly.”

Meghan’s win aboard BON BON at the Mermaid Regatta is not just a personal victory but a reflection of the opportunities that women’s sailing events create. By fostering an environment where women can take the helm, these regattas are building the next generation of female leaders in the sport. As Meghan and her crew continue their journey in the Galveston Bay Women’s Championship Series, their success serves as an inspiring reminder that with the right support, women can—and will—excel in competitive sailing.

Led by Expedition Leader Keith Tuffley and Science Advisor Johan Rockström, the expedition aims to investigate six Planetary Tipping Points, gathering crucial data on ocean plastics, biodiversity, marine acoustics, and other pressing environmental concerns. This research will help raise global awareness of the accelerating impact of climate change in the Arctic, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world.

The Ocean Science Expedition aims to investigate six Planetary Tipping Points, by collecting environmental data on ocean plastics, biodiversity, marine acoustics and more. Photos Ⓒ Ocean Science Expedition.

The ABEL TASMAN crew is a diverse and dedicated group that includes award-winning filmmakers, sound designers, paragliders, divers, and young scientists, all driven by their passion for exploration and environmental advocacy. Their voyage follows in the footsteps of famed Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen, who first navigated the Northwest Passage in 1905. With fewer than 40 yachts ever completing this challenging route, the ABEL TASMAN’s journey underscores the gravity of the changes taking place in the Arctic.

The Climate Stripes Gennaker: A Symbol of Urgency and Action

One of the most striking elements of this expedition is the custom gennaker sail created for the ABEL TASMAN. Designed with the Climate Stripes—an internationally recognized visual representation of global warming—this sail serves as a stark reminder of how quickly our planet is heating due to human-caused climate change. Developed by climate scientist Professor Ed Hawkins, each stripe represents a year’s average global temperature relative to the long-term average, dating back to 1850. The temperature rise over the past 30 years is striking, providing a visual cue of the urgent need for action.

The sail was first tested near the location where the Franklin Expedition ships, the EREBUS and TERROR, became trapped in ice nearly two centuries ago. In 1846-48, Victoria Strait and Peel Sound were solid walls of ice, but when the ABEL TASMAN sailed through these waters just a few weeks ago, they were predominantly ice-free. Recent data shows the Arctic is warming at four times the global average, with catastrophic implications for sea ice and global ocean systems.

The Climate Stripes gennaker is more than just a sail—it’s a call to action. With every nautical mile, it reminds us of the changes our planet is facing. Keith Tuffley stated, “With the right winds, our gennaker is a joy to sail. And whilst it’s a stark reminder of climate change, it’s also a visual inspiration for the actions and systemic changes we need to make to stabilise Earth’s climate and ‘Bring Back the Blue.’”

This is also a historic moment for the Climate Stripes. “This is the first time that the Climate Stripes have been shown at sea, and we wish to thank our sailmakers, Mehmet Taylan, UK Sailmakers Norway, and UK Sailmakers Turkey for turning our idea into reality,” said Tuffley.

To follow this incredible journey and learn more about the expedition, visit the Ocean Science Expedition website or follow @oceanscienceexpedition on Instagram.

UK Sailmakers: Pioneering Sustainable Sailing Practices

At UK Sailmakers, we are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and supporting sustainable sailing practices. A key initiative is our partnership with environmentally conscious sailcloth providers such as Challenge Sailcloth and Dimension Polyant, who have developed laminate and woven sail materials using recycled components and sustainable manufacturing processes. These materials not only offer the same strength, durability, and performance as traditional sailcloth but also provide increased UV resistance, resulting in longer-lasting sails and reduced waste.

In addition to sourcing eco-friendly materials, we take an innovative approach to waste reduction during sail production. Our lofts use advanced software to optimize cutting patterns, drastically reducing sailcloth off-cuts. These remnants don’t go to waste—they are repurposed for future sail repairs, transformed into duffel bags for regatta prizes, or donated to community projects.

UK Sailmakers is also proud to lead the charge in adopting environmentally friendly sail designs, such as the zippered luff spinnaker. This design eliminates the need for traditional yarn or elastic banding, which often ends up in waterways, helping to prevent marine pollution. Every step we take brings us closer to a more sustainable future for sailing and the planet.

Our partnership with the Ocean Science Expedition and the creation of the Climate Stripes gennaker is just one example of how we’re using our expertise to support environmental advocacy and research. By investing in sustainable materials, reducing waste, and pushing the boundaries of sail design, we are helping to ensure that the sport we love thrives alongside healthy oceans and ecosystems.

As a member of the Safety at Sea committees for US Sailing, the Storm Trysail Club, the New York Yacht Club, and the Cruising Club of America, Dick shares his journey from where his interest in Safety at Sea began to the latest advancements in man overboard recovery.

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