Hyde Sails kicking off the season
by Jo Roberts 21 Mar 2016 08:39 GMT
21 March 2016
The Hyde Sails office in Hamble © Hyde Sails
It starts all over again, but really did we ever stop?
I think it is now safe to say we have entered the summer sailing season; with the Dinghy Show now behind us and the London and Dusseldorf Boat Shows all but a distant memory we would like to mention what we have been up to over the winter and also what we plan on doing during the forthcoming season.
Firstly new appointments, we have brought to the sales team Mark Wilkinson, he will be building relationships with existing suppliers and making new connections. With his Americas cup experience, he will join the team on the Hyde Sails Quarter tonner project. See link for more information on this: www.hydesails.co.uk/hyde-sails-uk-news/menace-re-fit-update
On the dinghy front
Richie Lovering, our world class sail designer, will be trying to repeat what he did in the Flying 15 last year by winning the nationals, but also try to re-create that success in the new Hyde Sails 505. Richie has been putting in the hours fettling away with sail design and boat mods, hoping to be right up there for the worlds in Weymouth this year. See www.hydesails.co.uk/hyde-sails-uk-news/505-progress-report
Dave Hall, our one design sails manager, will again be competing in his usual territory, which is the fireball, however expect some interesting development there, also he will be working hard in the Enterprise trying to get to grips with that, he has also been down in Cannes working closely with the Dragon fleet. See www.hydesails.co.uk/hyde-sails-uk-news/dragon-sail-testing-in-the-south-of-france
Mark Corbett, our international man developing our distributors, will be racing his RS200 and joining the quarter tonner campaign.Mark is also working on restoring his 1964 Largs 24, with a view to take part in classic events during the year. Built in Largs in north Scotland she is a mahogany on oak, a very beamy and capable craft. Mark hopes to solo the Round the Island Race and test the IRC rating of this old classic, look out for an article later in the year about boating on a budget.
In Keelboats
Nigel and Jack will again try to stop throwing away the Squib nationals and have been working closely with the class on the new boat and all the soft good internal items, their season starts this weekend with a trip to Oulton Broad where 20+ boats will battle on a small area of water in what is regarded as a great shakedown regatta to get rid of the cobwebs. Equally, they have got a new Hartley boats Wayfarer which they will try their hand at by competing at the worlds in July. See www.hydesails.co.uk/hyde-sails-uk-news/testing-the-new-rondar-squib
Luke, our own Label manager, will be aboard his Impala, looking to compete in Royal Southampton Spring Series, Impala National Championship, Poole Regatta and Winter Series.
The Hyde Sails team will be working together to campaign the Quarter Tonner, looking to enter, The Coutts Quarter Tonner Cup, Round the Island and Cowes Week.
In Catamarans
Luke will be continuing his on the water battle against Hyde Sails distributor Simon Northrop aboard his F18. 1-2's here would be nice! See www.hydesails.co.uk/hyde-sails-uk-news/hyde-sails-dominate-in-f18-fleet-throughout-the-season
In Yachts
Jo, our Sales Office manager, will be looking to build on their great results from last season aboard Beneteau 40.7 Playing Around during the Warsash spring series and sailing from Hamble. She will continue supporting the marine charity organisation the Sea Cadets in her volunteer role as Chief Instructor and looking to work towards her RYA Dinghy Coach Assessors. See www.hydesails.co.uk/hyde-sails-uk-news/hyde-sails-sales-office-manager-jo-roberts-joined-the-team-aboard-beneteau-40-7-playing-around
Wooderz, our UK Retail Sales Manager, and all round guru will be sailing in events at locations primarily along the south coast and will principally be aboard the J105 Neilson Redeye though 'guest spots' aboard other yachts have been organised.
Luke will also be racing 'Spirit of Marion' a gaff rigged 1896 Nat Herresoff design at thhe Panerai Classics week in Cowes. The boat has a new centreboard for this years racing and they are looking to win class 4 overall aiming to take down the legendary 'Japp' sailed by ex-Olympian Andy Castell.
From the Factory side, during the winter time Hyde Sails have invested in becoming 'IN HOUSE CERTIFIED' or IHC, this will allow us to make and then measure our own sails, currently we had to get sails measured independently slowing down delivery times to our customers and also increasing cost to them. We can now tick that box and deliver sails faster, measured and cheaper!
Our new office in Hamble Point Marina is open Monday to Friday 9-5, with the team on hand to help with queries, answer questions or even share sailing stories over a coffee, if you are in the area please do pop in and talk boats with us!
So all good news really. See you on the water in 2016.
Fair winds.