We were delighted to hear that Kismet won her first day of racing at the Régates Royales de Cannes! Good to see the brand new Dolphin Sails Whoompa was put to good use and it clearly delivered results as they won on corrected time.
Photos thanks to Eric Dervaux and Regates Royales de Cannes.
We LOVE getting feedback from our customers! Not only does it help us develop our products, but when the customer is pleased, just like the one below, it gives the Dolphin team a great feeling!
“We have given the new Yankee a real workout now. A bit more than 6,000nm offshore with four gales, two in the southern Atlantic with more than 50kts apparent on the wind gauge downwind. The Yankee was up and pulling for the entire passage even serving admirably as a storm jib when it flattened nicely at 30% or so. My kudos to you and your team for your recommendations for design parameters and fabric. It still holds its shape perfectly.”
Three members of our sails team, Matthew, Gareth and Glen, went out on the water this week to test the new ‘Whompa’ sail that we have recently designed and produced for the Fife 48′, Kismet. Owned by ex Oyster Yachts owner, Richard Matthews, Kismet is a familiar sight on the east coast waters during the regatta season. This year she will also be heading out to Cannes for the 2019 Panerai Regatta Royale at the end of September. As a previous competitor in the Panerai Classics, Mr Matthews was keen to maximise the performance of the sails on Kismet, so worked closely with our design team to create the most effective solution and sail. We will also be making a soft topsail for her, having taken measurements and sizing whilst out sailing on Wednesday, so stay tuned for more photos to come!
We wish team Kismet the best of luck in Cannes and look forward to hearing all about it on their return…
“I wanted to share a positive experience with you all. We decided to replace our bimini and sprayhood and to change the color from Blue to Beige. We keep Tango in the Northeast US.
I contacted Dolphin Sails to see if they still had the templates from the original order and they did. They also recommended using the WeatherMax material.
I was a bit concerned about them making it all and getting it shipped to the US. What would we do if it didn’t fit right? We received the two items about a week ago and put them on…
Perfect fit on both accounts and the material and color was just what we wanted. I would recommend Dolphin to do any canvass work in the future.”
WeatherMax80 is twice as strong and six times more durable under abrasion and rubbing than acrylic. It is about half the weight, it is 100% solution dyed and very importantly for stackpacks and enclosures it is breathable.
WeatherMax80 is the ideal fabric for marine and many non-marine covers. If you are looking for a sprayhood, stackpack, sail cover, cockpit enclosure, Bimini, winter cover or dodgers give us a call to discuss your requirement in greater detail and see how WeatherMax80 can help you.
WeatherMax Colour Guide (HighRes) (19.4 MiB, 2,314 hits)
WeatherMax Colour Guide (Low Res) (1.8 MiB, 2,531 hits)
WeatherMax Care Guide (1.3 MiB, 1,905 hits)
WeatherMax Product Information (627.3 KiB, 2,342 hits)
A selection of photos of our work can seen by clicking here
For more information please contact our cover team on 01255 243366 or email harwich@dolphin-sails.com
The perfect solution to a hot problem!
The design team at Dolphin Sails have created a solution to a major problem using bespoke specialist design software.
We regularly hear that boats needed shade but did not want to deal with frames or battens and that traditional Bimini’s did not offer enough protection from the sun.
For this project on the newly launched Nautor Swan 115, we used just the boats CAD files to create an awning that gives maximum coverage without the need for any new fixing points.
The form finding software helps us create a structure, that has a unique double curvature design. This double curvature will tension the fabric so that it becomes rigid. Once set up the fabric will become drum tight. This tension cuts down to a minimum any flapping or ‘panting’ that is normally very prevalent in standard awnings.
Using just the CAD file we were able to design and manufacture the awning before fitting it first time!
The awning was used through out the Monaco Boat Show and was greatly appreciated as it allowed guests to view this stunning boat in greater comfort.
A Dolphin Tensile Awning offers protection to the crew using the cockpit or foredeck, the boat and makes life below deck more comfortable especially when the aircon isn’t required.
We always like working on beautiful boats and so it has been a pleasure to be involved with the preparation of Kismet, a 55’ Fife designed cutter, before her trip to the south of France to ‘do the circuit’ this autumn.
“Kismet” spent many years unloved and slowly disintegrating in an Essex mud berth before her current owner rescued her and restored to her to her full glory some 10 years ago. After the refit our sister company, Gowen Ocean, were ask to supply a full inventory of sails. Whilst ‘modern’ woven polyester fabric was used, much of the finishing was by hand in the traditional method – hours of painstaking work.
The boat enjoyed success at various local and international regatta’s before being put away whilst the owner enjoyed sailing his IRC rated yacht.
Once it was decided that ‘Kismet” would be campaigned in this years south of France regattas we were again asked to help plan an inventory of sails that worked best with the CIM rating system and maximise the potential of the boat and the likely conditions.
After much consideration the main, 3 headsails and the asymmetric were replaced. Each sail was made using Contenders Fibercon Pro classic light cream. In addition to the new sails the existing whoompa was converted to a 150% light genoa.
The classics started off in Cannes at the Régates Royales Cannes, racing for Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge. In a strong fleet of 20 boats, “Kismet” placed an excellent second overall.
Being 120 years old “Kismet’ qualified for the unique Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy, this is open to any yacht over 100 years old. In a close race she narrowly finished second to last years winner.
After the Centenary Trophy, “Kismet” set off on the feeder race from Cannes to Saint Tropez, she handsomely won the Coupe d’Automne trophy.
The final event was the hotly contested Les Voiles de Saint Tropez. With 3 of the 4 races counting and only a couple of points separating the top 6 boats “Kismet” stood of the podium with an excellent 3rdplace.
Overall a very pleasing and consistent set of results against many of the top classic sailors in the world.
We will be in our usual position ‘Stand F076’ in Mayflower park, just a few seconds walk away from the pontoon marina entrance.
The 2017 show was a great success and we are really pleased to report that many of those enquiries from last year have been converted into orders with those owners now enjoying their new covers and sails on their various travels.
During the show we will be unveiling of our new designed ‘T’ top sprayhood which proving to be very popular. The ‘T’ top allows the sprayhood window section to be removed giving a greater flow of air. We will also have samples of the new and latest sail cloths which are now available, so to find out more pop by our stand F076.
Whether you are planning adventures up local creeks or the trip of a life time around the world the Dolphin Team will be available all week – please feel free to come along and see how we can help you achieve the maximum enjoyment from your boat.
If you would like to arrange a meeting during the 2018 Southampton Boat Show, which runs from 14th – 23rd September, please contact us on sails@dolphin-sails.com
Paul Austin – Hamble – 02381 980090 – paul.austin@dolphin-sails.com
Jon Sturmer – East Coast – 01206 384412 – jon@dolphin-sails.com
If you are looking to buy a new boat or just need ‘a few bits’ you are certain to find what you are looking for during the 2018 Southampton Boat Show.
Dolphin Sails will be exhibiting at the Fox’s Boat Show which runs from Friday 18th May until 20th May.
Members of the cover and sails team will be on hand to answer all your questions, discuss fabric options, cover designs, sail inventories and if your boat is in Fox’s marina meet with you on board.
Fox’s Yacht Sales will be open to show you their extensive listing of brokerage boats or you could ask them about a new Beneteau.
Experts from Fox’s Marina are around to discuss refits, electronics, rigging, Copper Coating and basically anything to do with keeping your boat in the best possible condition.
Contact Dolphin Sails on 01255 243366 for further details.
Dolphin Tensile Structures at METS 2017
We will again be exhibiting at the worlds largest marine trade show at the RAI exhibition centre in Amsterdam.
Based in the Superyacht Hall of the exhibition, Matthew Vincent and Angus Roberts will be on the stand to discuss how our unique awnings can be created using specialist bespoke software. With virtually limitless options available we can help create a stunningly beautiful structure that will open up endless possibilities to enhance the enjoyment of your sailing yacht, motor boat, home, office or public space
www.dolphintensilestructures.com
The exhibition runs from 14th November until 16th Novemeber at the RAI in Amsterdam
To discuss your project with one of our designers please contact:
Kate Vincent
0044(0)1255 243366
info@dolphintensilestructures.com
