UK Sailmakers GBR South West
Formerly Penrose Sailmakers
Established in 1825, Penrose Sailmakers is one of the oldest sailmaking operations in the world, with over 200 years of continuous trading from the heart of Falmouth, Cornwall. Now joining the UK Sailmakers global network as UK Sailmakers GBR Southwest, owner Gavin Watson brings that extraordinary history and expertise to sailors across the region and beyond.
Situated on the third deepest natural harbour in the world, the loft is ideally positioned to serve the full spectrum of sailors who call this remarkable stretch of coastline home. Falmouth Bay is widely regarded as one of the premier regatta venues in Europe, hosting National, European and World Championships, and serving as the start and finish of major offshore and round-the-world races.
With a team of six sailmakers and marine fitters drawing on more than 100 years of combined experience, Gavin and his team bring that same competitive heritage to every sail they build. The loft operates at full production capacity, with a recently installed Blackman & White CNC machine enabling the team to design, cut and build sails from inception to installation. Full service and repair capabilities extend across the entire range, from dinghy to superyacht sails, with emergency and overnight repair services available for regatta entrants during events such as Falmouth Week.
Penrose has been an OEM supplier to Rustler Yachts since 2009, building sails for the full range of Rustler models, and maintains a long-standing working relationship with Pendennis Shipyard. Beyond production sailmaking, the loft offers a complete range of covers, canopies, awnings and upholstery for yachts of all sizes.
As part of the UK Sailmakers global network, UK Sailmakers GBR Southwest offers access to the full UK Sailmakers product lineup, covering everything from cruising Dacron to performance X-Drive® and Titanium laminates, as well as specialty downwind sails, Code Zeros and Matrix Spinnakers. Every sail is built to deliver durability, performance and a precise fit for your boat and your sailing.
The loft specialises in local and regional racing classes including IRC, YTC, Falmouth Sunbeam, Falmouth Working Boats, Ajax and Fowey Troys. In 2026, Penrose-built sails delivered a second National Championship victory in the Ajax class, along with championship wins in both the Falmouth Working Boat and Fowey Troy fleets.
Business Hours
Monday – Friday : 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday : By Appointment Only
Sunday : Closed
Contact Information
Phone: +44 (0)1326 312705
Email: gbr.southwest@uksailmakers.com
UK Sailmakers GBR South West
The Loft, A1 Church View Business Park
Bickland Water Rd.
Falmouth, Cornwall
England
TR11 4FZ
Gavin Watson
Owner
With over 30 years at Penrose Sailmakers, from apprentice to owner, Gavin Watson combines deep sailmaking craft with seven national championship titles and international racing experience that informs every sail he builds.
George Cousins
Head Sailmaker
With 10 years of sailmaking experience and a competitive background that includes two national championship titles and a World Championship bronze medal, George Cousins brings both technical precision and real on-the-water insight to every sail he designs, builds and refines.
Mark Waters
Head Cover Maker
Having joined Penrose Sailmakers in 1983, Mark Waters brings over four decades of craft to his role as Head Cover Maker, blending deep traditional skills in hand seaming and rope work with the modern techniques he has led his team through, from superyacht canvas to bespoke Rustler Yacht covers.
Gavin Watson – Owner & Managing Director
Gavin Watson has spent his entire career at Penrose Sailmakers, starting as an apprentice in 1996 and purchasing the company outright in 2021. That journey, from learning traditional sail and cover construction through to introducing CAD design in 2008 and the latest CNC cutting technology, gives him a rare depth of knowledge across both the craft and the business of sailmaking.
On the water, Gavin is an accomplished racer with seven national championship titles across three classes, two podium finishes at J24 European Championships, and a top-ten result at the J24 World Championships. He has also won the Falmouth Sunbeam, Working Boat and Ajax National Championships in local waters. That racing experience feeds directly into the sails and setups he designs for clients across cruising and racing fleets alike.
Gavin has served as Rustler Yachts’ OEM sailmaker since 2010, designing and building bespoke sails and covers for customers worldwide, and has built a longstanding partnership with Pendennis Shipyard through the personal service he brings to every project. Under his leadership, Penrose continues to offer apprenticeships through local colleges while attracting experienced staff from further afield, all drawn to a loft with deep roots and a reputation that speaks for itself.
