While on my cruise to the Canadian Maritimes, I have had to singlehand my boat Soulmates while waiting for friends to join me as crew changes have not been seamless. This video and article talk about how I felt tested by the wind gods in my ability to singlehand my boat.

Besides the auto pilot, the one piece of equipment that makes shorthanded sailing easier and more enjoyable is my Lazy Cradle. Controlling a mainsail when you lower it can be a challenge even with full crews, but when shorthanded, it can be a bigger problem. However, with my Lazy Cradle, that problem goes away. A Lazy Cradle is a sail cover that is attached to the top of the boom under the mainsail and the upper edges are raised in place with the boat’s lazy jacks. The lazy jacks guide the sail down into the cover. With the Lazy Cradle I can literally drop my mainsail into the cover faster than a furling main can be rolled into the mast or boom. I just release the halyard and gravity does the rest. Coming into a harbor is no problem; just drop the sail and it is out of the way without the need to flake or furl. With the sail in the cover, you can concentrate on the channel and traffic instead of sail handling. Then, when I’m at anchor, I can zip the cover over the sail and then zip the front piece that goes around the mast and the sail is protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays until our next sail.

After sailing halfway around the world, I think that many people spend too much time preparing for heavy winds and not enough time for preparing for light air sailing, which is more likely found on traditional routes. Unless you sail a “super tanker,” boats can’t carry enough diesel to cover thousands of miles. Even if you can carry enough fuel for daysails and short cruises, who wants to motor downwind smelling diesel fumes that envelop the cockpit when your speed under power is similar to the windspeed. Cruising spinnakers will make your sailing much more enjoyable.

Welcome to the twentieth episode of Lessons Learned, the UK Sailmakers podcast series hosted by Buttons Padin. In this episode, Buttons explores the art of sailing photography with world-renowned yachting photographer Sharon Green. Sharon shares how she got her start behind the lens—shaped by the influence of her Hall of Fame sailor father, Don Green—and reflects on capturing some of the sport’s most iconic images. She offers practical tips for shooting on the water, in the water, and from the air, and explains the importance of equipment, timing, and perspective. From helicopter shoots to racecourse challenges, Sharon reveals what it takes to create both dynamic and technically precise sailing photos, along with advice for aspiring photographers looking to break into the field. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:46 Sharon Green's Background and Early Influences 03:13 Getting Started in Sailing Photography 03:31 Tips for Better Sailing Photography 03:53 Challenges and Techniques in Sailing Photography 06:10 Equipment and Camera Handling 12:28 Helicopter Photography 17:33 Protecting Your Camera on the Water 24:02 Working with Other Photographers 25:33 Capturing Personal Moments and People Shots 27:51 Conclusion Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

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 break down the 2025 changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing, with this episode's particular focus on obstructions and proper hailing protocol. Butch shares tactical advice including what to do (and what not to do) when you find yourself in a tough spot like Boat 1 in the “coffin corner” shown in the thumbnail. Whether you're a seasoned racer or just getting into the sport, this episode offers valuable insights from a true rules expert and world-class sailor. 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Meet Butch Ulmer: Sailing Hall of Famer 01:04 Understanding Obstructions in Sailing 02:43 Hailing for Room to Tack: Rules and Scenarios 06:08 Illegal Hails and Anticipation Strategies 10:11 Port-Starboard Situations and Final Thoughts 11:36 Conclusion Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

These clips show my voyage from Nassau in the Bahamas to Key Biscayne, Fla., to Cape Canaveral, Fla., in December of 2024.

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 in the Middle Sea Race, sailing through the Suez Canal, and recently racing in the Sydney Hobart, Bill shares his unique insights and modifications that enhanced the boat's performance. Explore Bill's adventures sailing 25,000 miles, contending with challenging conditions, and balancing both racing and cruising in remote locations. Learn about his collaboration with Geoff Bishop of UK Sailmakers Fremantle for specialized sail solutions that supported his journey. Don't miss this episode packed with sailing tales and valuable lessons. You can also read more about SIRENE's Sydney Hobart race in the News section of the UK Sailmakers Website. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:48 Choosing the JPK 45: Features and Customizations 03:28 Cruising in Western Australia 04:34 Mediterranean Adventures and the Middle Sea Race 06:06 Navigating the Red Sea and Indian Ocean 08:30 Sydney Hobart Race Experience 11:15 Sail Inventory and Customizations 16:30 Future Plans and Closing Remarks Video Image Credits: Bill Henson Thumbnail Photo © Bernie Kaaks Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

My first voyage to 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 clearing procedures, but I had never been the responsible one walking up the dock with all the ship’s papers and the crews' passports. The route to the Bahamas was a 133-mile passage that took SOULMATES southeast across the Gulf Stream. Most cruisers make this trip by heading south along the Florida coast to West Palm Beach where they hang out until the wind goes calm so that they can motor the 60 miles across the Gulf Stream. This plan calls for a short crossing in calm seas. But SOULMATES is a boat that likes to SAIL. Contrary to the dockside chorus of “local experts,” we took off in a 15-20 knot northerly that pushed us directly down the course—and quickly. SOULMATES reveled in the waves as we rode on a broad reach under a single reef and a No. 4 Genoa. The second part of my trip was an 127-mile passage from West End to Nassau. We started out with the full-sized jib and full main and when the wind picked up after the sun went down, we tucked in a reef, which was shaken out in the late morning of the second day. Once again, we set off in the early afternoon for the 127-mile passage from West End, around Great Stirrup, and then on to Nassau. It was a full beat for the 65-mile leg from West End to Great Stirrup. All night long, it felt like we were on the highway for cruise ships heading to and from Nassau. Luckily, we could see them on AIS long before they were visible with the naked eye. With all their cabin lights blazing, they were so bright that it was hard to make out their running lights. Just before Great Stirrup, we had to make four tacks to get around the point. In my less-than-alert state, we got within one-quarter-of-a-mile of one of the behemoths — I had a hard time visualizing her course. Radar would have helped, as would more sleep. Once around Great Stirrup, the wind faired, and we could just cracked the sheets, helping us make better time to Nassau.

For most of my sailing life, while I was racing, I always said, “Winning a sailboat race was the most fun you could have – with your clothes on.” There was performance sailing. There were all your friends. There were other boats against which to race. There was beer. Now that I’m a cruising sailor, let me tell you about a perfect day on the water. This was a perfect day on many levels despite not even raising a sail. Most importantly, it was a chance for quality family time. Living in New York, I hardly ever get to see my brother. While on the boat cooking and eating, we were much more relaxed and intimate than we would be at a family event like a wedding. Also, I love being able to use the boat for cooking, entertaining, a family get together, and an alfresco dining experience. In the past, using the boat consisted of going out for a few hours to race, then getting in the car to rush to the party at the host yacht club, where we would perform “sailing Karate” and pay too much for drinks.

Soulmates has many custom touches, but the interior one that’s unique is the gimbled stove. The stove and oven are part of a unit that includes pot lockers on either side. The stove/oven/pot locker unit has a circular bottom that rides on halyard sheeves. Not only does the stove stay level, but the tops of the pot lockers on both sides of the stove stay level too. When the boat is heeling, the tops of the pot lockers become level surfaces that the cook can use for pouring a cup of coffee or plating dinner. I have never seen a set up like this on any other boat.

One of the most visible changes in my effort to convert my 40-foot racer/cruiser into a better cruising boat was the creation of tall cockpit coamings. Taller coamings keep the cockpit dry and they provide back support when sitting in the cockpit. While cruising, the cockpit is your living room so it should be comfortable for reading, entertaining, eating and just watching the world go by. My boat was built with very low coamings, because low ones are easy to get around when racing. This was a major undertaking since the coamings have to carry the loads of the main sheet and primary winches. Watch this video to see the transformation.

The first leg of Adam Loory's retirement cruise was a non-stop 860-mile passage from New York to Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the passage, we crossed the Gulf Stream twice.

Watch Bill Henson’s JPK 45 SIRENE flying downwind with their UK Sailmakers asymmetrical spinnaker in the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race! Making an incredible debut, SIRENE was crowned IRC Corinthian Division Champion, took 2nd place in IRC Division 2, and finished 15th overall in IRC out of 104 starters—only 74 of which crossed the finish line. Representing Fremantle Sailing Club and equipped with an expertly crafted sail inventory from UK Sailmakers Fremantle, SIRENE showcased the perfect balance of versatility and performance that defines this racer-cruiser. The sails were designed and built by UK Sailmakers, with upwind sails developed by Pat Considine (UK Sailmakers Chicago) and asymmetrical spinnakers by Geoff Bishop (UK Sailmakers Fremantle). SIRENE’s inventory included: • X-Drive mainsail with three reefs • X-Drive J2 race jib, reefable to J3 • Heavy-weather J4 staysail on a furler • Code Zero, A2, A3, A4, and a reaching jib top • Storm jib for safety compliance The sail wardrobe was meticulously planned, combining local expertise with UK Sailmakers' cutting-edge Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) modeling—an advanced analytical tool that simulates the interaction between sails and surrounding airflow to optimize performance. The initial sail plan was developed in collaboration with Geoff Bishop of UK Sailmakers and a local rigger, with support from FSI modeling by UK Sailmakers' lead designer, Pat Considine. This resulted in a highly effective combination of a jib with a reef and a furling staysail, minimizing jib sail changes while providing a versatile downwind staysail. Video clip provided by Bill Henson.

Join us for the seventeenth episode of Lessons Learned, UK Sailmakers' podcast series hosted by Brendan Huffman, featuring special guest Rodney Pimentel. In this episode, Rod discusses his recent division win at the 2024 Pacific Cup onboard his Cal 40, AZURE. Rod talks about how upgrades to the boat, crew selection, and sails by Sylvain Barrielle of UK Sailmakers San Francisco helped to power the team to victory. Rod also shares captivating stories from his adventures cruising with his family on various boats in stunning destinations like the British Virgin Islands and the Mediterranean. Follow Rodney and AZURE on Instagram at @azure_cal40. Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 1:19 2024 Pacific Cup Start 2:51 Cal 40 Fleet Separation 4:10 2.5 Days Out 4:44 Spinnaker Configuration 5:38 Crew of Four 6:54 Manoeuvres 8:18 Spinnaker Nets 9:48 Sail Inventory from UK Sailmakers San Francisco 11:55 Why Cal 40? 13:55 Gradual Refit 15:39 Oil Canning Explained 17:02 The Puddle Jump 20:17 Squalls 22:58 Cruising Stories 28:08 Closing AZURE Image Credits: Rodney Pimentel Thumbnail Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

Join us for the sixteenth episode of Lessons Learned, UK Sailmakers' podcast series hosted by Buttons Padin, featuring special guest David Dickson. In this episode, David discusses the history of the Shannon One Design—a unique wooden boat crafted for the Shannon River and still raced today near Athlone, in the heart of Ireland. David, alongside Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland, has been part of a project to design a modern sail for this historic class, bringing renewed energy to a boat design over a century old. Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 00:50 History of the Shannon One Design 2:52 Sailing Shannon One Designs 4:27 Tweaking the Sail Design 5:49 Sail Controls 6:08 Lake Sailing 6:31 Collaborating on the Prototype with Barry Hayes 8:41 Popular Irish Boat Classes 9:58 Finalising the Sail Design for Production 10:29 Characteristics of Wood Spars 12:49 Service from UK Sailmakers Ireland 14:07 The Future of the Fleet 15:05 Racing the Shanon One Design 16:21 Closing Image Credits: David Dickson and Google Images Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

Tune in to the fifteenth episode of the Lessons Learned Podcast series by UK Sailmakers, hosted by Buttons Padin and featuring special guest Dick York. Dick is a passionate advocate for Safety at Sea, continually researching the latest techniques and technologies to give back to the sport he loves. As a member of the Safety at Sea committees for US Sailing, the Storm Trysail Club, the New York Yacht Club, and the Cruising Club of America, Dick shares his journey from where his interest in Safety at Sea began to the latest advancements in man overboard recovery. Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 00:54 Safety at Sea Involvement 4:32 Couples Cruising 6:38 The Outdated Quick Stop Recovery 8:27 Modern MOB Devices 9:59 MOB Symposium Results 12:10 Lifesling Steps 13:27 Modern Boats and Modern Techniques 14:23 Lifesling at Night 17:07 Rescue Lines and Swimmers 18:53 UK's Role in Teaching Safety at Sea 19:49 Closing Image Credits: Dick York Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

Tune in to the fourteenth episode of the Lessons Learned Podcast series by UK Sailmakers, hosted by Brendan Huffman and featuring special guest Christian Williams. Listen as he recounts his 1979 Fastnet race experience, sailing trips to Bermuda and Hawaii, and insights into towering waves, sargassum weed, books, and jazz. Williams, a former Washington Post editor and investigative reporter during the Watergate era, has also created two TV dramas and authored five books, including a Ted Turner biography. Currently residing in Southern California, Williams is an accomplished sailor and a satisfied UK Sailmakers Los Angeles customer. His boat, THELONIUS II, an Ericson 381, has taken him on multiple solo voyages to Hawaii and back, and on many more adventures. In the 1979 Fastnet race, Williams crewed for Ted Turner aboard the winning boat, TENACIOUS, facing Force 10 conditions in one of yacht racing's largest disasters, where only 86 out of 303 boats finished and 18 sailors perished. You can watch more about Christian Williams' incredible life experiences, and sailing insights on his YouTube channel: ChristianWilliamsYachting Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 00:50 A Love for Ericson Yachts 3:46 Cruising to Sunny Destinations 5:40 Sailing to Bermuda vs. Hawaii 8:27 The “Fair Weather Gale” Phenomenon 9:35 Managing Squalls 11:50 The Allure of Singlehanding 13:50 Working with UK Sailmakers Los Angeles 15:36 Sailing and Jazz 17:06 The 1979 Fastnet with Ted Turner’s TENACIOUS 21:43 Inspirational Books 23:45 Christian Williams on YouTube 23:52 Offshore Preparations 26:44 Closing THELONIUS Image Credits: Christian Williams 1979 Fastnet Image Credits: ESPN / Gary Jobson Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

Tune in to the thirteenth episode of the Lessons Learned Podcast series by UK Sailmakers, hosted by Brendan Huffman and featuring special guest Marie Rogers, a trailblazing figure in the world of offshore racing and advocate for diversity in sailing. As the skipper of the Alan Andrews-designed 56-foot sailboat, GOOD TROUBLE, in the 2023 Transpacific Race, Marie Rogers is a force to be reckoned with. She has incredible sailing and volunteer resumes spanning from her role as US Sailing Board Member, National Women’s Sailing Association Board Member, to her pioneering efforts in establishing the LAYC Community Sailing Program. Marie's impact on the local and national sailing community is profound. Throughout this episode, Marie shares her unparalleled insights into the challenges and triumphs of women and people of color in sailing. Marie's passion and determination shine in her dedication to fostering diversity in the sport through many endeavors, including co-founding the Offshore Sailing Outreach (ORO) non-profit organization. She also discusses working with Sylvain Barrielle from UK Sailmakers San Francisco and members of the UK Sailmakers LA loft in the sail preparations for the 2023 TransPac race. Get involved as a donor or participant in the Offshore Racing Outreach program here: https://www.sailoro.org/ Watch another great interview with Marie Rogers by Ocean Roads Films here: https://www.oceansandroadsfilms.com/ Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 00:59 2023 TransPac Boat and Team Preparations 08:38 Crew Camaraderie 10:04 Promoting Diversity in Sailing 14:50 Community Sailing Programs 16:42 National Women’s Sailing Association 18:17 Stories from the 2023 TransPac 20:15 The Future of the Offshore Racing Outreach Program 21:41 Naming GOOD TROUBLE 22:39 Closing GOOD TROUBLE Image and Clip Credits: Marie Rogers, Betsy Senescu (Ultimate Sailing), Sail Sport Talk John Lewis Image Credits: Steve Schapiro/Corbis, LIFE Magazine, Jimmy Ellis Thumbnail Image Credit: Sharon Green (Ultimate Sailing) Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot.

Tune in to the twelfth episode of the Lessons Learned Podcast series by UK Sailmakers, featuring Mia Karlsson and Nikki Henderson, two of the amazing women who lead offshore passages with 59º North. In this episode, Mia and Nikki talk about their experiences as women in performance sailing, the unique challenges in the industry, and a promising future for more diversity in the sport. Mia discusses how a female presence and a nurturing attitude improves morale on long passages and opens the door for team building and learning opportunities. Nikki delves into her impressive sailing resume which includes skippering three trans-Atlantic ARC races, the Clipper Round the World Race and more. Both share their stories, and the plans for 59º North in 2024 and beyond. Visit the 59º North website: https://www.59-north.com/ Join the Quarterdeck: https://quarterdeck.59-north.com/ Video Clip Credits: 59º North Image Credits: 59º North, Reuters, John Guillote, Yachting World Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 0:35 Getting into Sailing & Sailing as a Career 3:11 Provisioning for Passages 6:14 Nikki's Experience as a Young Skipper 8:45 Working with UK Sailmakers Sweden 10:15 Creating an Ideal Learning Environment 13:11 Managing Work/Life Balance 16:14 Breaking Down Barriers to the Sport 20:48 Mentoring Sailors 22:35 Tips for Getting into Performance Sailing 23:55 59º North's 2024 Plans 25:21 59º North's New Offshore Racing Program 27:51 Closing Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot. https://podcasts.feedspot.com/uk_sailing_podcasts/

Tune in to the eleventh episode of the Lessons Learned Podcast series by UK Sailmakers, featuring lead sail designer, Pat Considine from UK Sailmakers Chicago. In this episode, Pat answers a series of questions about what considerations go into designing a custom asymmetrical spinnaker. Pat delves into key measurements used for spinnaker design including the luff, leech and mid girth (SMG). He also covers material considerations, structured luffs, masthead versus fractional kites, furling and banding options, and explains how the use of BSG design software allows him to design the perfect kite for each customer's boat and sailing goals. Video Clip Credits: Checkmate and Swan River: Lindsay Preece J/111 CAG: Henrik Trygg Code Zeros: UK Sailmakers Ireland & Adam Loory In-Loft and Dock photos/videos: UK Sailmakers Northwest Chapters: 0:00 Lessons Learned Intro 0:45 Designing the Luff and Leech 3:30 Mid Girth (SMG) as a key Measurement 5:20 Material Considerations 6:07 Structured Luffs 7:20 Masthead vs. Fractional Kites 8:47 Asymmetricals for Fast Boats 9:23 Furling Spinnakers and Code Zeros 12:03 BSG Design Software 14:04 Cloth Weight Distribution on Blended Sails 15:07 Spinnaker Banding 15:39 Decoding the Spinnaker Numbering System 17:15 Floating the Tack 17:51 Spinnaker Durability 19:14 Closing Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when more great content from our channel is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. UK Sailmakers is proud to have the Lessons Learned Podcast Series recognised as the #1 Sailing Podcast in the UK by FeedSpot. https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_sailing_...