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Mastering the Mexican Takedown (Kiwi Drop)
Looking to gain an edge at the leeward mark? The Mexican takedown (or Kiwi Drop, depending on where you’re sailing) is a slick, high-reward maneuver that can help you round cleanly, keep your spinnaker dry, and defend the inside lane.…
Lessons Learned on Hailing Rules
Welcome to the nineteenth episode of UK Sailmakers’ Lessons Learned podcast series, hosted by Buttons Padin. In this episode, Buttons speaks with Butch Ulmer, former president of UK Sailmakers and a member of the Sailing Hall of Fame. Together, they…
Podium Power in the 1720 Fleet
The 2025 1720 European Championships wrapped up on Galway Bay earlier this month in an action-packed series that saw shifting conditions, dismastings, and fierce competition across the 16-boat fleet. Despite the challenges, Baltimore Sailing Club’s SPICED BEEF, skippered by Fionn…
5 Tips to Label Your Sails Like a Pro
Smart Systems for Smarter Sailing Whether you’re racing offshore or managing a charter boat with a deep sail inventory, one of the simplest ways to boost efficiency and reduce mistakes is to implement a clear and consistent sail labeling system.…
Crew Chemistry — Transitioning To Your Dream Sailing Team
Paul Exner’s Pro Sailing Tips You’ve probably tried to imagine what it’s like to sail with people more experienced than you, on perfectly equipped boats, all handled by highly organized teams. As your experience matures with sailing, I’m sure you’ll…
2025 Mirror Worlds in Durban: Family Finish in the Top Five
Over six days in April 2025, 33 teams from South Africa, the UK, and Australia gathered at Durban’s Point Yacht Club for the Marriott Mirror World Championships. Among the standout performers were South African father-daughter duo Paul and Polly Changuion,…
UK Sailmakers Gear is Now Available Online
Shop Now! You Asked—We Delivered. The UK Sailmakers Online Store is now live! We’re excited to launch a fresh way for sailors to show their UK Sailmakers pride, with a collection of branded apparel and accessories made for life on…
Hail and Farewell
On a ship in the Navy, Hail and Farewell parties blend the arrival of a new member of the wardroom with a send-off for a departing shipmate. In the Racing Rules of Sailng 2025-2028, an improper “hail” could result in…
The Value of Rail Meat
A few years ago, I was invited to race on a fairly new, hot racing boat here in SoCal for a popular race. The invitation was exciting–this was a fast boat with a mostly younger crew of rising stars. That…
When The Wind Shifts…
When the wind shifts, we must change course. My original plan was to set out on my retirement cruise to the South Pacific with my wife Jenni. I spent years getting the boat ready and we even moved out of…
The Real Difference Between Code Zeros and Reaching Spinnakers
Italia 11.98, CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, flying an A3 by UK Sailmakers Northeast. How to choose the right sail for your inventory—whether you race, cruise, or do a bit of both. In recent years, the Code Zero has become a go-to sail…
Back-to-Back Wins for OBSESSION
MAT 1245, OBSESSION, was powered to the podium this season by UK Sailmakers Titanium upwind sails and Matrix spinnakers by UK Sailmakers Fremantle. Photo Ⓒ TP72 Nautical Imagery. OBSESSION, a MAT 1245 designed by Mark Mills and owned by Paul…
LESSONS LEARNED ON THE SYDNEY HOBART
Join us for the eighteenth episode of Lessons Learned, UK Sailmakers’ podcast series. Listen as host, Buttons Padin, talks with Bill Henson about his thrilling experiences aboard his JPK 45 SIRENE. From purchasing the boat in Lorient, France, to participating…
SILVER AND GOLD FOR UK SAILMAKERS AT J/105 INVITATIONAL
J/105 INFINITY, charging downwind with their new UK Sailmakers spinnaker at the 2025 J/105 Invitational Boqueron Cup. Photo © Jim Miller. The 2025 J/105 Invitational Boqueron Cup, hosted at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas, on March 22-23, saw fierce…
Leaving the Country
My first voyage that required clearing into a foreign country was the 24-hour sail from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to West End on Grand Bahama. I had been on many other boats that had gone through those clearing procedures, but I…