Boating Business | Ten new ropes from Robline

TEN NEW ROPES FROM ROBLINE

HOMENEWSFITTING OUTEXTERIOR FITTING OUTTEN NEW ROPES FROM ROBLINE

17 Mar 2020

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Robline’s Sirius Gripis sheet is stable on winches

Justin Jones set up Robline UK at the end of last year with the aim of sharing his technical knowledge with customers and providing alternative good quality rope solutions.

Among the new products on offer is the Sirius Gripis sheet, developed to be pleasant to grab but also stable on winches.

The rope is particularly suitable for Spinlock clutches however is also suitable as a sheet for aggressive winches.

It has a polyester core to minimise stretch and a polyester / polyester soft cover.

Coppa Pro is a grip maximised rope, optimised for hand-use, however also resistant in the aggressive rachet blocks.

Minimal stretch

The sheet is suitable for extreme use such as a gennaker sheet on a Nacra 17, however its compact braiding and minimal stretch make it very versatile explained Justin.

The rope has a Dyneema SK99 core and a cover consisting of PBO, Dyneema and polyester soft.

Robline’s Lazyjack Polybraid was developed for the use in lazyjack systems.

“It is slippery enough to get the sail easily into the lazybag, concurrently is it easy to splice and resistant against environmental influences,” said Justin.

Another new line from Robline is Flat Mooring, a mooring line with a newly developed cover construction.

“The line spreads the friction energy on a bigger area while being at the same time extremely soft and handy,” added Justin.

The rope is constructed from polyester.

via Boating Business | Ten new ropes from Robline.

Boating Business | New high-performance halyard ropes

NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE HALYARD ROPES

HOMENEWSFITTING OUTEXTERIOR FITTING OUTNEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE HALYARD ROPES

18 Mar 2020

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Kingfisher Yacht Ropes’ Racing Dyneema99 Pro Halyard is a step up on the company’s previous product

INDUSTRY DATABASE

KINGFISHER YACHT ROPES

Kingfisher Yacht Ropes has a new halyard rope for the 2020 season in the form of the Racing Dyneema99 Pro Halyard.

This represents a step up from the company’s previous product at this level, the Dyneema SK78 Pro Halyard, by being both stronger and lower stretch; vital attributes for racing halyards and key characteristics of the Dyneema SK99 fibre that forms the core of the rope. The Racing Dyneema99 Pro Halyard also features what Kingfisher describes as a new technical hybrid cover made using Kevlar, polyester and Cordura.

This delivers improved holding power in jammers and a high level of abrasion resistance. Despite the increased performance this new product is priced at the same level as the Dyneema SK78 Pro Halyard that it is replacing.

DIY rope maintenance

For those boater owners that like to maintain their own ropes and lines, Kingfisher has also launched two new splicing kits for 2020; a general-purpose splicing kit and a dinghy version. These contain all the essential items needed to undertake splicing on board.

via Boating Business | New high-performance halyard ropes.

Boating Business | Topaz Argo is selected by Royal Navy CCF

TOPAZ ARGO IS SELECTED BY ROYAL NAVY CCF

HOMENEWSINDUSTRY NEWSTOPAZ ARGO IS SELECTED BY ROYAL NAVY CCF

27 Mar 2020

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Topper’s Topaz Argo will be used for sail training RN cadets

INDUSTRY DATABASE

TOPPER INTERNATIONAL LTD

Topper’s Topaz Argo dinghy has been selected by the Royal Navy Combined Cadet Force (CCF) as a replacement for the Bosun dinghy.

The news follows a two-year test programme from the CCF evaluating all options available.

“The Boson has been the mainstay of sail training for the CCF for many years, however it was felt that a more user-friendly all-round boat fleet boat was needed,” explained Jon Manners, sales manager for Topper International.

“The Topaz Argo offers a safe stable platform for learning to sail and then for the more experienced sailors it has a great performance with the options of symmetric and trapeze as well as the standard asymmetric spinnaker.”

He added: “The adoption of the Topaz Argo marks a great step forward for the Royal Navy Combined Cadet Force with adoption of a new boat as their standard crewed sailing craft.

Fleet status

Topper International is very pleased to be working with the CCF to complete this project.”

As part of the CCF program of development units entered teams in to the Southport 12-hour race, due to the number of entries the Topaz Argo was granted its own fleet status along with the two traditional classes.

Topper will now deliver the fleet of dinghies to the Royal Navy Centres across the country as well as the CCF units based in schools.

“Whilst there may be a few tearful eyes around the CCF as the old Bosuns are towed away, (I myself was taught to sail in a Bosun in 1974) we are confident that we have a superb all-round dinghy in which to train Cadets for the foreseeable future,” added CCF’s principle boat officer Major Kevin Lillicrap.

via Boating Business | Topaz Argo is selected by Royal Navy CCF.

Boating Business | B&G is race partner

B&G IS RACE PARTNER

HOMENEWSBOATBUILDINGELECTRONICSB&G IS RACE PARTNER

31 Mar 2020

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The Lonely Rock will be the race turning point: Photo credit: Royal Western Yacht Club

INDUSTRY DATABASE

B&G UK

B&G has signed to be a race partner for the Royal Western Yacht Club’s new Lonely Rock Race.

The race, seen by many as an alternative to the famous Fastnet Race, is due to start in August 2020 and be held on a biannual basis.

The course will start from the vicinity of Ryde in the Eastern Solent, past the Isles of Scilly, round the Fastnet Rock, past the Isles of Scilly again and finish in Plymouth Sound.

“We are delighted to be partnering with this event, B&G has been helping sailors race from Cowes around the Lonely Rock and back to Plymouth since 1955,” said Simon Conder, head of B&G. “It has been a big part of our heritage and our own brand story, so it is great to be able to support and be a part of the team in keeping this great race course going for many years to come, as it has for so many years before.”

Course insight

B&G will also help in providing an insight to the course and the weather forecast during the skippers’ briefing which will be held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

“Whilst we are fully aware of the increasingly difficult and worrying times ahead with COVID-19, we feel it is important to have something to look forward to and we continue to plan for the Lonely Rock Race for now or in the future should this be necessary,” said Chris Arscott, commodore of the Royal Western Yacht Club and race director of the Lonely Rock Race 2020.

The race will be held in association with The Royal Victoria Yacht Club and will have an emphasis on club sailors.

It will be open to mono and multihull yachts between 30 and 60ft in length.

via Boating Business | B&G is race partner.

Boating Business | COVID-19: Clipper and RYA events postponed

COVID-19: CLIPPER AND RYA EVENTS POSTPONED

HOMENEWSINDUSTRY NEWSCOVID-19: CLIPPER AND RYA EVENTS POSTPONED

20 Mar 2020

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The Clipper Race has been postponed because of COVID-19 Photo: Clipper

INDUSTRY DATABASE

ROYAL YACHTING ASSOCIATION

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to wreak havoc with the organisers of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the Royal Yachting Association both announcing postponements.

The Clipper Race is now on hold with the remaining three legs postponed for approximately ten months whilst the RYA is cancelling all directly organised events and training.

“The decisions has been in no way taken lightly,” said a statement issued on behalf of the organisers of the Clipper Race. “Our crew are currently under quarantine in Subic Bay, Philippines, where the Clipper Race fleet has been berthed since 15 March.”

The increasing global uncertainty forced the decision that postponing the race was the safest option. “Our first priority, as soon as the local quarantine has been lifted, will be to assist our crew in Subic Bay in travelling home from the Philippines as swiftly as possible,” said the statement.

Royal Yachting Association

All RYA directly organised events and training will be postponed until at least 30 April. Chief executive, Sarah Treseder, said that the decision has not been taken lightly. “It’s important that we all play our part in combatting the spread of this virus,” she said.

The RYA is also urging affiliated clubs, classes and training centres to review their own activities and carry out risk assessments based on the latest guidance. But the association seeks to provide at least a little comfort.” While we have brought these measures in to adhere to government advice, it doesn’t mean that people can’t go sailing at all,” said Alistair Dickson, director of sport development at the RYA.

“In fact, getting out on the water can be a great way to look after your physical and mental health in these challenging times.”

via Boating Business | COVID-19: Clipper and RYA events postponed.

Boating Business | COVID-19: Sunseeker lay-off for two months

COVID-19: SUNSEEKER LAY-OFF FOR TWO MONTHS

HOMENEWSBOATBUILDINGBOATBUILDINGCOVID-19: SUNSEEKER LAY-OFF FOR TWO MONTHS

23 Mar 2020

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Sunseeker is reducing salaries in response to the COVID-19 crisis Photo: Sunseeker

INDUSTRY DATABASE

SUNSEEKER INTERNATIONAL BOATS LTD

Sunseeker is implementing a lay-off period and salary reductions for up to two months in response to the deepening COVID-19 crisis.

In a statement issued on 23 March, chief executive Andrea Frabetti said it was imperative that companies adapt to maintain business and employees and to support the UK economy.

Temporary measures

“We regret to say that we need to consider reducing our workforce,” he said. “In an effort to avoid any compulsory redundancies however, we have taken the decision to enforce two temporary measures; lay off periods and salary reductions for a period of up to two months.

“We are confident that these measures will help to mitigate the current and potential challenges our business will face over the coming weeks. We are now commencing a formal consultation process with our employee representatives to consider further proposals. This consultation process will last for a minimum of 45 days.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision for us to make, but we have a duty to all of our employees to take any action that ensures our business is protected in the longer term. Please be assured that full support will be provided to all employees affected throughout the consultation process.”

It is believed that Sunseeker will be donating a supply of personal protective equipment to the NHS.

via Boating Business | COVID-19: Sunseeker lay-off for two months.

Boating Business | Ten new ropes from Robline

TEN NEW ROPES FROM ROBLINE

HOMENEWSFITTING OUTEXTERIOR FITTING OUTTEN NEW ROPES FROM ROBLINE

17 Mar 2020

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Robline’s Sirius Gripis sheet is stable on winches

Justin Jones set up Robline UK at the end of last year with the aim of sharing his technical knowledge with customers and providing alternative good quality rope solutions.

Among the new products on offer is the Sirius Gripis sheet, developed to be pleasant to grab but also stable on winches.

The rope is particularly suitable for Spinlock clutches however is also suitable as a sheet for aggressive winches.

It has a polyester core to minimise stretch and a polyester / polyester soft cover.

Coppa Pro is a grip maximised rope, optimised for hand-use, however also resistant in the aggressive rachet blocks.

Minimal stretch

The sheet is suitable for extreme use such as a gennaker sheet on a Nacra 17, however its compact braiding and minimal stretch make it very versatile explained Justin.

The rope has a Dyneema SK99 core and a cover consisting of PBO, Dyneema and polyester soft.

Robline’s Lazyjack Polybraid was developed for the use in lazyjack systems.

“It is slippery enough to get the sail easily into the lazybag, concurrently is it easy to splice and resistant against environmental influences,” said Justin.

Another new line from Robline is Flat Mooring, a mooring line with a newly developed cover construction.

“The line spreads the friction energy on a bigger area while being at the same time extremely soft and handy,” added Justin.

The rope is constructed from polyester.

via Boating Business | Ten new ropes from Robline.

Boating Business | LaserPerformance is endorsed

LASERPERFORMANCE IS ENDORSED

HOMENEWSINDUSTRY NEWSLASERPERFORMANCE IS ENDORSED

09 Mar 2020

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LaserPerformance is to build boats for the newly established The Laser Class. Photo: The Laser Class

INDUSTRY DATABASE

LASER PERFORMANCE

LaserPerformance has been endorsed by the newly established The Laser Class as its recognised boatbuilder.

The boatbuilder was formerly a registered builder for the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) until last year when the association said it was building non-compliant boats.

LaserPerformance – that had a large presence at the recent RYA Dinghy Show – lost its rights to build boats for the Olympics and association competitions.

However, in a statement, the new class – set up by disaffected Laser sailors – says it wants to return to the original mandate of the class and serve the Laser sailor community.

Secret decisions

“ILCA no longer serves the interests of the majority of Laser sailors,” said the statement. “It has become dominated by a minority of class members who have transformed ILCA into an entity where decisions are made in secret that do not address the requirements of the majority of the class members.”

The statement continued: “We aim to build a class that rebuilds the Laser brand as the global iconic leader in sailing, instead of spending its time infighting and spending the members’ money on legal fees.”

And the statement pointed out that the construction of the Laser has already been changed by the ILCA making around 200,000 older Laser boats not adhere to one design criteria.

The Laser Class is to apply for class recognition to World Sailing this year and is currently creating a process to approve further builders and to comply with Olympic competition requirements.

via Boating Business | LaserPerformance is endorsed.

Boating Business | Allen Bros is selected

ALLEN BROS IS SELECTED

HOMENEWSAFTERMARKETDECK HARDWAREALLEN BROS IS SELECTED

09 Mar 2020

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Allen Bros is the official hardware supplier to the Swedish sailing team. Photo: Mark Jardine / YachtsandYachting.com

INDUSTRY DATABASE

ALLEN BROTHERS (FITTINGS) LTD

Allen Bros has been appointed official hardware supplier to the Swedish sailing team – in both the Olympic and youth classes.

The supply includes four classes of boats that will be represented by the team in Tokyo this summer: the Finn dinghy, ILCA standard and ILCA radial and 470 men.

“It’s very important for Allen, as a UK manufacturer, to build strong bonds around the world with sailors,” said Liz Adams, Allen MD. “It will help in our R&D programme; the Swedish sailing team will help to contribute to our product development, it will be a fantastic opportunity for all of us.”

Thomas Hansson-Mild of the Swedish sailing team added: “We will benefit a lot from this collaboration, Allen has a 60-year heritage of making good products.

“For the Swedish sailing team, it will be a huge benefit for us and to get this support and with your knowledge and your technical experience of the products. We are super happy.”

Allen is based in Essex and is able to prototype products in-house.

via Boating Business | Allen Bros is selected.

Boating Business | Profile – Matthew Vincent

PROFILE – MATTHEW VINCENT

HOMENEWSPEOPLEPROFILE – MATTHEW VINCENT

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DOLPHIN SAILS HAS MADE SAILS AND COVERS FOR OYSTER YACHTS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

MATTHEW VINCENT IS STILL VERY HANDS ON WITH DOLPHIN SAILS

MATTHEW IN THE 1980S HAND SEWING A CORNER RING IN A SAIL

DOLPHIN SAILS HAS MADE SAILS AND COVERS FOR OYSTER YACHTS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

MATTHEW VINCENT IS STILL VERY HANDS ON WITH DOLPHIN SAILS

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12 Mar 2020

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INDUSTRY DATABASE

DOLPHIN SAILS

The descriptor ‘a safe pair of hands’ fits Dolphin Sails MD/chief designer, Matthew Vincent, very well.

In the mid 1960s, when aged ten, he cut Dolphin labels to put on the sails and for every label his father Brian deemed to be ‘good’, he was paid one (old) pence. Some 50 years’ later, Matthew remains ‘hands-on’, running the family sail-making business.

Dolphin Sails was founded in 1964 by boat builders Brian Vincent and Pat Webb. “My father was obsessed with weight saving and together with my stepmother Frances, won the Cherub European Championships in 1970.”

Matthew and younger sister, Toni, grew up some 500m from Dolphin’s HQ in Harwich, and at age six, he joined Harwich Town Sailing Club. His first boat was a Mirror 4808 named ‘slowcoach’. “This was a pretty accurate descriptor as at least three children were faster than me. At around 14, I fortuitously managed to win the Essex schools championship which ignited a passion for sailing and sail-making.”

Olympic trials

Alongside Mirrors, Matthew sailed Cherubs, Condor Cats and Tornados, culminating in Olympic trials where he came fifth. “I then sailed Sonatas, coming second in the nationals, and half tonners, winning our class in Cowes week and the East Anglian offshore.”

After studying physics and astro-physics at the University of London, in 1977 Matthew joined Dolphin, working with his father, stepmother and two machinists, tea-brewing, floor sweeping, making patches and cutting simple sails.

“In the early days of sail design, we rolled out fabric on the floor and shaped the edges with bendy canes; if it was a windy day the sail would have less shape and if there were light winds, it would have more definition which was very bizarre.

“We learned to design in 3D and acquired laser CAD cutting tables to cut sails and covers, ensuring greater accuracy, repeat ability and consistency.”

Additional sites

Dolphin developed a reputation for its dinghy and windsurfing sails, but soon its strong, long-lasting blue water sails came to the fore. “We’ve made sails and covers for Oyster Yachts for over 30 years manufacturing in the UK, exporting a high proportion of our products.”

The business operates from three additional sites – West Mersea, Hamble and Majorca – employing 35 people. “We set up a Majorca loft to support Oyster and the large yacht/super yacht brands and are proud to have supplied the largest yacht in the world.”

As sail designs and fabrics continue to evolve, so too does Dolphin. “Membrane sail development is a focus, and several years ago we invested in ‘form finding’ software which enables cleverly-shaped fabric to enhance the strength and stability of a structure – as was used in the O2 arena.

“We’re writing our own standalone package, which will effectively ‘shrink wrap’ a boat. It will find the contact points, automatically produce shaped-patterns for those areas and ‘form find’ the ‘free’ surfaces, producing unrivalled stability for covers/awnings. It’s a real game-changer for cover and awning design.”

Great thrill

Dolphin’s tensile awnings attract attention from yacht builders and owners, private residences, restaurants and ships.

“Many years ago, we produced a cover for the Planetarium at Madame Tussaud’s for Red Nose day; my daughter Katie contributed to the project and was interviewed by Blue Peter which was a great thrill.”

Matthew singles his father out as his most important mentor and cites career highs as; making his first sail, winning races personally and seeing his sails win races, including the Round Britain and Transat Jacques Vabre. If there was an industry low, Matthew says it ‘must be getting into the windsurf sail market too late and leaving too soon’.

When assessing his industry, Matthew believes offshore manufacturing has driven down costs, resulting in less sail makers employing people with specialist skills. “Fewer young people are working in this sector which is very sad.” And while keen to preserve traditional skills, Matthew describes himself as a ‘disruptor’.

“It’s good to question methodology, keep learning and be innovative. I love to develop new things and look at new ways of working – if you’re passionate about what you do, you can help the market evolve.”

Matthew lives in Essex with wife Kate and their six-year-old daughter. Older daughter Katie lives in Auckland, New Zealand (the land of sails). He plays golf, has a private pilot’s license and is a trustee of his village event ‘Wrabfest’ – a ‘normal fete mixed with a rock festival’.

via Boating Business | Profile – Matthew Vincent.