Learn to sail faster, safer, smarter.

AccuMeasure

Download UK Sailmakers AccuMeasure(TM) Software here for free! 1. UK Sailmakers AccuMeasure™  Quick Start Manual High Res   (2 MB)(pdf) 2. UK…

Avoid a Gybe Broach

When sailing dead downwind in heavy air on a boat with a symmetrical spinnaker, control of the boat eventually will become a problem. One wrong wave, an unexpected puff or…

Cruising Spinnaker Trailer

Check out UK Sailmakers’ cruising spinnaker trailer. These asymmetrical spinnakers are designed without the need for a spinnaker pole, making them ideal for shorthanded…

Deploy a Life Raft

In early April, UK Sailmakers was a sponsor of the first-ever hands-on Safety at Sea Seminar at the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. We shot video throughout…

DUCK WELL

For many years, I have lost more places on the racecourse from my irrational fear of ducking another boat. I have even named this syndrome “Canardophobia.” Too many times I…

Fighting Shipboard Fires

The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, continues to set the bar higher and higher for safety at sea training. In early April they ran their…

Get Ready To Measure

“It is all about cleaning house” Adam Loory Measuring a boat for IRC is a simple, relatively quick process when compared to an IMS or Americap measurement. As the RORC’s…

How To Obtain IRC Rating

The IRC rule has only been used in one major event in the United States, and with the shift to IRC for several events in 2005, certificate processing may take a little extra…

How to Rig an Outboard Sheet

Jib Reaching With Outboard Leads by UK Sailmakers. For years UK Sailmakers has been helping sailors learn the racing rules of sailing with our animated Rules Quiz program.…

J111 CAG Letterbox Takedown

The letterbox spinnaker takedown is the safest spinnaker drop when sailing offshore. It keeps people off the bow, keeps the forward hatch closed and it prevents the sail from…

Judging Crossing Situations

How to judge if you are crossing another…

Learn to Sail Videos

UK Sailmakers is committed to helping you to improve your sailing skills and safety. On this website, we publish an ever-growing collection of Learn to Sail Videos, Articles,…

Learning Singlehanded Gybe

Thanks to Covid 19’s requirement to sail socially distanced, I discovered the fun of doublehanding and singlehanding my boat. With a tall factional rig held up by running…

Lessons Learned from the 2022 Pacific Cup

Introducing UK Sailmakers new podcast series, Lessons Learned, created to help sailors around the world up their games. For over a decade, our website’s How To section has…

Lessons Learned from Team Christopher Dragon

This is the second podcast in UK Sailmakers Lessons Learned series. This 21-minute video is a discussion with Andrew Weiss, owner and skipper of the Italia 11.98 Christopher…

Letterbox Takedown video

Advantages of the Letterbox Takedown The letterbox takedown has four distinct advantages: It allows you to drop the chute in a safe, controlled manner with minimal crew. It…

LifeSling Recovery

The Lifesling can be used in two ways. The traditional method is to drop it over your stern, let the 150 feet of polypropene line pay out while steering around the MOB to…

Man-Over-Board Recovery

The hardest part of recovering a crew overboard can be actually getting the person back onto the boat. Only fully-crewed boats can attempt to pull a person up over the side…

Man OverBoard Quick Stop Spinnaker 2

Part 2 "Lessons Learned" The early April Safety at Sea Seminar held at the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, served up perfect conditions for practicing…

Man OverBoard Quick Stop Spinnaker

Filmed with midshipmen at the US Merchant Marine Academy The key to the quick stop is to stay within in 5-10 boat lengths of the crew overboard. As soon as someone goes…

New Thoughts on MOB Recovery

Losing a crew member overboard is a boat owner’s worst nightmare. The skipper is not only responsible for the boat but for all the crew as well. Accidents will happen, and as…

Outboard Leads - Sail With Confidence

For years UK Sailmakers has been helping sailors learn the racing rules of sailing with our animated Rules Quiz program. Now we are taking on teaching sail trim and sail…

Proper Pit Procedures

This video shows proper pit person procedures by an experienced crewmember on the Reichel Pugh 77 JELIK. Notice how she keeps her eyes on the bow team at all times. She lets…

Proper Reefing Procedures

If your boat is overpowered, it is slower because it is heeling too much. Excess heeling increases leeway and reduces the efficiency of your boat’s keel and rudder. The boat…

Questions & Answers

Where did IRC come from? The IRC is the most successful mid-level measurement rule in the world. It was created six years ago by two offshore-racing clubs in Europe—the Royal…

Quick Stop Upwind

Filmed with midshipmen at the US Merchant Marine Academy. There are many ways to do a Quick Stop man overboard recovery. The common theme is to turn the boat immediately to…

Safety at Sea Videos

UK Sailmakers is committed to helping you to improve your sailing skills and safety. On this website, we publish an ever-growing collection of Learn to Sail Videos, Articles,…

Sail Design

Powerful computer modeling and analysis UK Sailmakers uses powerful computer modeling and analysis programs to design race-winning sails that will hold up to the strains and…

Sail Measurement Form

UK Sailmakers Measurement Form UK Sailmakers Measurement Form Complete this form accurately to ensure your sails are made to the correct specifications. Contact and Boat…

Seahorse Magazine Sail Design Technical Brief

Seahorse Magazine is renown for its coverage of high-end sailboat racing and often includes articles focusing on and explaining the various technologies that support the…

Set a Storm Jib

Anyone planning on sailing offshore needs to carry storm sails. In order for these sails to help you in storm conditions, practice setting them in light air first to learn…

Setting The Pole Height on Your Spinnaker

By Dave Campaniello Dave Campaniello is the newest salesman at UK Sailmakers in New York. Before joining UK, Dave was the Director of J/World in Key West - one of the…

Spinnaker String Takedown

The Stretch-and-Blow Spinnaker Douse allows you to sail practically right up to the leeward the mark with the sail drawing fully. When it is time to drop the spinnaker, the…

Stretch-and-Blow Spinnaker Douse

The Stretch-and-Blow Spinnaker Douse allows you to sail practically right up to the leeward the mark with the sail drawing fully. When it is time to drop the spinnaker, the…

Use Storm Sails

Any boat that goes to sea needs to carry storm sails, but more importantly, the crew needs to have practiced using them ahead of time. With the wind howling, you don’t want…