Lessons Learned Podcast
Lessons Learned is a Podcast series by UK Sailmakers, created to help sailors around the world increase their knowledge and ability through the stories and experiences shared by incredible sailors. For over a decade, our website’s How To section has provided instructional videos, photos, and documents on a broad array of sailing topics. With Lessons Learned, we’re taking our instructional chops to a higher level. You can also stream the Lessons Learned Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music, remember to like and subscribe to our channels be notified about the latest episodes.
EPISODE 24
Adam Loory
Preparing for the South Pacific
Adam Loory discusses his lifelong dream of sailing around the world, including his plans, and preparations for his upcoming voyage from New York to the South Pacific on a converted Open 50.
EPISODE 23
Commander Gregory Storer
Submarines
Commander Gregory Storer of the United States Navy discusses his journey from sailing small boats like Optis and Lasers in his youth to commanding the USS Springfield, an LA-class fast attack submarine stationed in Guam.
EPISODE 22
Jack Fenwick
Team Racing
Jack Fenwick discusses the intricacies of organizing team racing events, the role of team racing in sailing culture, and the unique events hosted by Royal Thames Yacht Club such as the Cumberland Cup.
EPISODE 21
Pat Considine
ISL Sails
UK Sailmakers’ lead designer, Pat Considine, explains the effects of headstay sag and how our headsails with ISL (Integrated Structural Luff) technology provide a modern solution.
EPISODE 20
Sharon Green
Sailing Photography
World-renowned photographer Sharon Green discusses the art of sailing photography and shares tips for shooting on the water, in the water, and from the air.
EPISODE 19
Butch Ulmer
Hailing Rules
Sailing Hall of Famer, Butch Ulmer, breaks down the new 2025 changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing, with this episode’s particular focus on obstructions and proper hailing protocol.
EPISODE 18
Ben Henson
Sydney Hobart
Rod discusses his recent division win at the 2024 Pacific Cup onboard his Cal 40, AZURE. Rod also talks about how upgrades to the boat, crew selection, and sails by Sylvain Barrielle of UK Sailmakers San Francisco helped to power the team to victory.
EPISODE 17
Rodney Pimentel
40 Cal AZURE
Rod discusses his recent division win at the 2024 Pacific Cup onboard his Cal 40, AZURE. Rod also talks about how upgrades to the boat, crew selection, and sails by Sylvain Barrielle of UK Sailmakers San Francisco helped to power the team to victory.
EPISODE 16
David Dickson
Shannon One Design
David discusses the Shannon One Design class and his experiences working with Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland to develop a modern sail for this historic wooden boat, bringing renewed energy to a design over a century old.
EPISODE 15
Dick York
Safety at Sea
Dick York, 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, shares his story from where his interest in Safety at Sea began to the latest advancements in man overboard recovery.
EPISODE 14
Christian Williams
1979 Fastnet and More
Christian Williams recounts his 1979 Fastnet race experience onboard TENACIOUS, sailing trips to Bermuda and Hawaii, and insights into towering waves, sargassum weed, books, and jazz.
EPISODE 13
Marie Rogers
Getting Into Good Trouble
Marie Rogers shares stories from her 2023 Transpac Race, where she skippered GOOD TROUBLE as a part of her Offshore Racing Outreach program, a first-of-its-kind diversity initiative for performance sailing.
EPISODE 12
Mia Karlsson & Nikki Henderson
Women in Performance Sailing
Mia Karlsson and Nikki Henderson, two of the amazing women who lead offshore passages with 59º North, discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in performance sailing. Both share their stories, and the plans for 59º North in 2024 and beyond.
EPISODE 11
Pat Considine
Asymmetrical Spinnaker Design
Pat Considine, lead sail designer at UK Sailmakers Chicago, delivers a concise guide to the art of crafting custom asymmetrical spinnakers. Learn about key measurements, materials, and design considerations, and discover how Pat uses BSG design software to tailor spinnakers for each sailor’s needs.
EPISODE 10
Stefan Voss
Shorthanded Sailing
Stefan Voss shares his experiences shorthanded sailing in Europe and a variety of insightful tips for any sailor interested in trying single or doublehanded sailing.
EPISODE 9
Brendan Huffman
Sailing Singlehanded Transpac
Brendan Huffman shares his experiences competing in his second Singlehanded Transpacific Race aboard his Santa Cruz 33, SIREN, including how he enhanced his performance for the second Singlehanded race, ultimately winning his division and securing 5th place overall.
EPISODE 8
Tripp Brower
Passage Making
Tripp Brower discusses his passage making Lessons Learned as he circumnavigates the globe, working with marine researchers and sharing stories of environmental and cultural preservation through film.
EPISODE 7
Justin & Chris Wolfe
Double Handed Racing
Justin and Christina Wolfe, a pair of incredible offshore double-handed racers describe their strategies and campaigns aboard their J/111 RAKU in the Pacific Northwest and RED RUBY, a SunFast 3300 in Europe.
EPISODE 6
Sylvain Barrielle
America’s Cup
Sylvain Barrielle, owner of the UK Sailmakers loft in San Francisco, talks about his long career in sailmaking and professional sailing that includes six America’s Cup campaigns as well as sailing maxi yachts and ocean-crossing maxi multihulls.
EPISODE 5
Nathalie Criou
Offshore Racing
Nathalie Criou is one of the top shorthanded sailors on the west coast of North America with a shorthanded race record in California going back 15 years. In 2014, she was second her division in the Single Handed Transpac sailing an Express 27.
EPISODE 4
Adam Loory
Retirement Cruise
Tune in to hear UK Sailmakers’ General Manager Adam Loory discuss plans and preparations made for his retirement cruise from the Long Island Sound in the Northeastern United States to the islands of the South Pacific
EPISODE 3
Butch Ulmer
Distance Racing
In the latest edition of the UK Sailmakers podcast series Lessons Learned, Butch Ulmer discusses four short distance races that east coast sailors can use to get ready for the Bermuda and our Halifax races.
EPISODE 2
Andrew Weiss
That Winning Year
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 Dragon…
EPISODE 1
Stuart Dahlgren
The 2022 Pacific Cup
Listen to a conversation with UK Sailmakers Northwest’s owner Stuart Dahlgren about the 2022 Pacific Cup Race. Stuart, who skippered his Santa Cruz 70 WESTERLY, covers his sail inventory and much more.