Doublebraid is the latest addition24/06/2021Save articleBlue Ocean Doublebraid is Marlow Ropes’ latest addition to its eco-conscious Blue Ocean product range, manufactured from sustainable materials.Marlow’s Doublebraid can be used for a variety of purposes onboardThe heat-set braid-on-braid Doublebraid is made from 100% recycled waste plastic bottles and follows the release of the company’s Blue Ocean Dockline.Since the launch of the Blue Ocean Dockline in 2018, more than half of Marlow’s yachting range is now manufactured using sustainable materials.The latest Blue Ocean product can be used for a variety of on-board applications.It is available on a reel as standard and also as spliced finished assemblies on request.“It offers flexibility and easy handling for all sailors, and now has the reassurance of being sustainably manufactured,” explained Marlow’s leisure marine director, Paul Honess.Carbon footprint“The addition of this new product demonstrates Marlow’s on-going commitment to sustainable manufacturing by reducing and eliminating our negative environmental impact through the introduction of the Blue Ocean product range and company-wide Blue Ocean initiatives which focus on reducing energy consumption, waste and the company’s carbon footprint.”And he explained it’s important to Marlow to take responsibility and become more sustainable while providing customers with more rope options.“We have worked hard over the last couple of years to eliminate plastics from our ranges, lower our carbon footprint and introduce sustainable materials,” he added.“With half of our range now made using these sustainable materials we are getting closer to achieving our target of using 100% reliance on recycled materials by 2030.”TopicsAftermarketMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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NEWSHelly Hansen to sponsor Vendée Globe 2024By Rebecca Strong07/07/2022Save articleHelly Hansen has been named as Official Apparel Sponsor of the Vendée Globe 2024.The global sailing brand will also provide clothing for two of the qualifying races – the Vendée Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne and the New York Vendée – Les Sables d’Olonne.Photo: Helly HansenMembers of the organisation, not least the pilots who ensure the safety of all participants, will be equipped with apparel supplied by Helly Hansen, which won the SAEM Vendée call for tenders from the Vendée Arctique to the Vendée Globe 2024.“The Vendée Globe is known as the Everest of the seas and is the most challenging round the world race for professional solo sailors,” said Michael Uhl, vice president of marketing and brand partnerships at Helly Hansen.“As a brand committed to helping people stay and feel alive even in the most challenging and harshest of conditions, we are honoured to partner with the race to provide their members with the highest level of protection both on and off the water.”Vendée ArctiqueThe 10th edition of the race will kick off on 10 November 2024 with a sporting field that looks set to break participation records. Competitors will have to earn their qualification during a course which begins with the Vendée Arctique, which started on 12 June 2022 from Les Sables d’Olonne.After five days of racing, the remaining skippers passed the Iceland Gate, the finish line of the 2nd edition of the Vendée Arctique. However, owing to extremely tough weather conditions, the race has been shortened and all skippers have now returned to Les Sables d’Olonne

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NEWSNew small boat car29/06/2022Save articleDavey has introduced two new products for the classic market.SHOW FULLSCREENDavey’s new 3400/BR small boat carThe two products are based on client feedback and partnerships with other British manufacturing partners.The new 3400/BR small boat car is suitable for an adjustable spinnaker bracket or as a genoa car and works with a conventional 16mm brass track.It is supplied in a magnesium bronze stamped material and provides a strong and versatile addition to the range of existing rigging track products Davey makes.The second new product is a polished gunmetal snatch block.It is available in two sizes – 35mm and 48mm – and has cheeks manufactured from polished gunmetal with stainless steel bindings.Prototyping and testing has been carried out and the fitting will be available from stock by the end of July.Davey also plans to introduce larger sizes of historic mast fittings over the next year following demand for larger classic spa fittings.These larger fittings will involve the company resurrecting from its archive the patterns held at its premises in Essex.Topicsclassic boatDaveyMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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NEWSHamble returns to its boating roots06/07/2022Save articleMDL Marinas’ Hamble Point Marina is adding new yacht building tenants to its existing marine manufacturing repertoire.SHOW FULLSCREENBoat building hubSource: MDL MarinasHamble Point Marina is adding new yacht building tenantszoom inzoom outOne of these is the electric boat manufacturer RS Electric Boats which has recently moved to the marina from its previous base in Romsey, Southampton.“With the Pulse 63 being production ready, we need manufacturing space that will support the volume of boats we need to deliver,” said Alex Newton-Southon, CEO – Design & Technologies at RS Electric Boats.“MDL and its Hamble Point Marina is an ideal solution for us. Not just the space available, but the location close to Southampton Water, giving us easy access to the Solent as well as MDL’s Ocean Village Marina, where we’ll be conducting boat tests and sea trails.”Larger homeRS Electric Boats joins established tenant ePropulsion UK, the UK & Ireland Distributor for ePropulsion, in the growing line-up of businesses dedicated to sustainable boating at the marina.Supporting its international expansion plans, Dromeus Yachts has also moved its head office from Turkey to Hamble Point, leasing 424sq feet of office space in the marina’s Saltmakers House.Besides its 230 first class berths, Hamble Point Marina is a marine service centre, offering extensivemaintenance and repair facilities. The marina also offers an extensive range of shore-side facilities.In addition to the Ketch Rigger bar and restaurant, Hamble Point in total boasts over 50 tenants providing a wide range of marine services from sail making to electrical work. 

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NEWSExports rise by 500/06/2022Save articleKingfisher Yacht Ropes has partnered with Shirley Robertson OBE and Dee Caffari MBE in their double-handed offshore yacht race campaign.SHOW FULLSCREENKingfisher Yacht Ropes is supplying a full rigging package to Dee Caffari and Shirley RobertsonThe campaign will culminate with the 1,800-mile Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.The two sailors are racing together on a new Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 complete with a full Kingfisher Yacht Ropes rigging package.“Shirley and Dee are both extremely talented sailors, with Shirley having achieved two Olympic gold medals at consecutive games, and Dee being the first woman to have sailed non-stop around the world in both directions single-handedly,” said Nigel Saddington, Kingfisher MD.“We wish both Shirley and Dee every success this year and are really excited to be working with them.”Nigel added: “We’ve worked with Shirley for a few years’ now and are delighted to be working with her again in her latest partnership.”The partnership between Kingfisher and the sailors is the latest in a long line for the rope manufacturer.Previous projects have included suppling ropes for a J Classyacht, TP52s and GC32s.The company has also grown its export market – by 500% over the last three years – and its product range to cater for different demands.“We now have some unique export products in less standard diameters such as 7mm, 9mm and 11mm,” explained Nigel. “This is something that is normally unusual in the UK market but corresponds to imperial measurements in countries such as the US.”He added: “Previously we’ve concentrated on the UK market but now offer exports around the world. We’ve taken on new distributors and couldn’t have forecasted what we have sold. We forecast high sales, but the reality has been even higher.”TopicsMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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NEWSVang systems introduced to the UK29/06/2022Save articleBarton Marine has introduced its boom vang systems into the UK and Europe.SHOW FULLSCREENBarton’s boom vang assembly has been introduced into the UK and EuropeThe sets have been sold in the US for around ten years, after being initially launched following a request from the hardware company’s dealer in the USA, Defender.“It’s all about the ease and simplicity of having a product that is ready to go, ready to use and install straight out of the packet,” explained Barton MD, Suzanne Blaustone.“It can be a bit daunting for the regular sailor or sailing newcomer to choose from the myriad of pulley blocks and rope choices and to decide how they go together to achieve the desired end product.”Barton’s ready-to-rig roped and spliced assemblies are available in three sizes to suit dayboats and yachts from 5m/16ft up to 10.5m/35ft.The assemblies are primarily used for vangs/kicking straps to control the boom but can also double up as ‘Handy Billies’ for lifting stores or dinghy outboards onboard using the snap shackle fittings which come as standard on the two larger models.Barton has also introduced a new stanchion bullseye that incorporates its High Load Eye technology along with a mount design that attaches to stanchion diameters of 25mm to 32mm.“Keeping with Barton Marine’s mission of creating products that support their slogan of Endurance Restyled, the introduction of the Stanchion Bullseye ticks all the boxes for a stunning method of rigging lines back to the cockpit,” said Suzanne.This new design features Barton’s hard anodised finish 60452 High Load Eye mounted within a metal retaining rod covered in a Dyneema-effect durable strap, through-bolted onto an enclosed backing plate for a clean finish.TopicsBarton MarineBoomMasts, spars, sails & riggingVangRelated Companies

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NEWSNew low-profile leech cleats29/06/2022Save articleClamcleats has launched new CL281 (port) and CL283 (starboard) low profile nylon leech cleat for use in sail making or when a low-profile cleat is required.SHOW FULLSCREENCleamcleats new CL281 (port) and CL283 (starboard) low profile nylon leech cleatsBoth cleats are produced in nylon and are suitable for rope with a diameter from 2-5mm.They are available in black or white and are designed as a lightweight (10gms) alternative to the company’s aluminium cleats CL241 and CL273.The new leech cleats are available on retail cards or bulk packed with backing plate and rivets if required.The new cleats can be sewn or riveted onto the sales. Lines can run straight down or can be reached from both sides of the sail.They are also suitable for low-profile snag-free applications on dinghies.

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NEWSLymington Harbour plansBy Rebecca Strong01/07/2022Save articleA yacht club in the New Forest is seeking reassurance that proposed harbour development plans will not affect sailing in the area.Royal Lymington Yacht Club has responded to a public consultation issued by Lymington Harbour Commissioners regarding its Harbour Development Plan. Whilst broadly in favour of the plans, the yacht club has raised concerns about a proposed move away from mid-river moorings, and ongoing access to the club’s facilities and the river.“We are supportive of the plan at this high level [and have] great confidence that the Harbour Commissioners are looking forward in a consultative and constructive way to ensure the special nature of the Lymington River is maintained and developed,” said Jenny Wilson, Rear Commodore Sailing, Royal Lymington Yacht Club.Lymington is a key harbour in the New Forest, popular for sailing and travelling to the Isle of Wight Photo: Lymington Harbour CommissionersLymington Harbour’s plan will guide sustainable development over the next ten years and beyond. Among proposed changes are an overhaul of available mooring, improvements to access, safety and navigation, an expansion to facilities at the commercial quay and a replacement for the Bath Road slipway to make it safer and more usable.Improving access for residentsRoyal Lymington Yacht Club has commented that it would like the plans to list improved access for residents as a specific aim and has also flagged proposed mooring changes.“Whilst we understand the waiting list demand is greater for walk ashore moorings, we are concerned that the continual move away from mid-river moorings reduces the number of lower cost moorings for local residents,” said Jenny Wilson, who also requested that the yacht club is fully consulted on detailed plans to convert the Fortuna area to walk ashore berths only.Concerns were also raised regarding plans to improve the Bath Road slipway as this plays a significant part in activity on the river. “We support the need for the slipway to be extended,” said Jenny. “If unchanged, it will restrict access to the river and potentially inhibit commercial growth in Lymington.“But it is also a complex water and land design which will require careful consideration of many factors,” she continued. “Whilst we support this development we would wish to be closely involved in the detailed design both from an operational perspective and as an adjacent land owner.”The club has asked that changes to the slipway be prioritised and has committed to working with the harbour commissioners on the availability of public grants and funding for this work.

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NEWSInterest in boating soarsBy Rebecca Strong24/06/2022Save articleThe number of people participating in watersports has almost doubled since 2020, according to new research.The annual Watersports Participation Survey 2021 shows that around 11.7 million people took part in one or more boating activities more than once in 2021. The activities which showed the biggest growth included personal watercraft, paddleboarding and dinghy sailing.The number of people enjoying watersports has soared since the pandemic Photo: RYAThe survey covers the period from October 2020 to September 2021 when the UK was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and interest in socially-distanced activities soared.“During 2021, more than ever leisure time was being spent outdoors and with the severe restrictions on international travel, lots of people headed to the coast to make the most of the good weather,” said RYA director of sport development, Rob Clark.“Although the report tells us that the number of regular participants has remained almost static, we’ve seen boating organisations, marinas and retailers remaining busy during the pandemic as they accommodate newcomers to the sport.”The survey followed participants in core boating activities of small sail boat racing, other small sail boat activities, yacht racing, yacht cruising, power boating, general motor boating/cruising, canal boating, canoeing, rowing/sculling, windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding and using personal watercraft.Keeping the interest goingThe challenge now is in sustaining the interest piqued by the pandemic. “The survey highlights an opportunity for us to capitalise on the fact that people have been trying new activities afloat,” said Rob.“Hopefully by supporting our clubs and centres we’ll be able to create opportunities for newcomers to get back on the water and hopefully become regular participants.”

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NEWSNew manual furler27/06/2022Save articleBamar has introduced a new range of manual foresail furlers.SHOW FULLSCREENBamar has introduced a new low-level furlerThe Flat Tack (FT) furlers have a low tack fitting above the deck drum, designed to be used in conjunction with Balmar’s classic BMG 30, 40 or 50R furling foils.The furlers have been designed to be easy to use; they are lightweight, have a small size and low maintenance.Other features include a compact layout which is low above deck allowing for maximum sail luff length and a low centre of gravity.“Like all Bamar brand products, the furler is made by working certified noble metals with numerically control machines starting ‘from full’ to guarantee quality, reliability, robustness and functionality,” said Darren Bown of UK distributor IMP who explained that testing has been carried out around the world. “The shapes and construction of the top winding drum have been studied and tested under the strictest conditions during ocean regattas around the world.”TopicsBamarFurlerIMPMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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