tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51754519522921861552011-09-07T10:04:33.294-04:00Regular updates from South Florida's premiere sail loft, offering Super, Doyle, and Hood Sails.Bobnoreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-19975678722481405122011-08-03T17:11:00.004-04:002011-08-03T17:40:18.461-04:00

We have some winners! First, a bit about our process. We looked at all the suggestions for flashlights and came away with two conclusions. First, for catching attention over a distance, a strobe is the right tool, but for pinpointing your location to a visible rescuer, a flashlight works well, and since that was the focus of the analysis, we stuck with those for the analysis and contest.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-2668724752816118152011-07-25T14:50:00.005-04:002011-07-25T15:03:40.546-04:00

The list so far of safety flashlight submissions from our Facebook post gives a gadget freak a big reason to smile. I've consolidated and summarized what people sent, either on the Facebook page or direct in e-mails, along with links to the manufacturers' sites for your browsing pleasure. We're cross-checking some of these with some other public-source tests that have been done to narrow the

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-53431385615327907812011-02-16T14:08:00.008-05:002011-02-16T14:42:21.614-05:00

Loose-luff furling sails have grown in popularity with the rise in quality of torque ropes. Torque ropes refer to the category of rope that does not rotate (or not much) under tension. When you pull it tight, and turn one end, the other end turns. In a headsail application, this lets you use it in the front of a jib without a permanent furling unit with aluminum extrusions up the forestay, the

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-56201445141941282872011-02-15T07:54:00.002-05:002011-02-15T07:57:05.021-05:00

Like Ed Baird, I've sailed all my life, though at a slightly less competitive level. As the father of kids moving into sailing, though, my priorities have shifted somewhat. His explanation mirrors mine, but like his racing, so much better.Ed Baird discusses priorities as a sailing father.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-32866427099932577012011-02-14T09:21:00.003-05:002011-02-15T09:56:39.751-05:00

The first interview online caught my eye because he's a client -- Buddy Stockwell, with a Lagoon 38, proudly flying a Doyle Spinnaker. His interview on the fun and perils of cruising his cat around the Caribbean makes for a great read. Here's a sample:Those “Blue Lagoon” dream destinations are still out there, but with the growing cruising population, in some areas down south cruisers have now

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-64253562420538698392011-02-11T14:49:00.008-05:002011-02-11T15:10:12.357-05:00

Lagoon and other catamaran manufacturers have begun offering square top mainsails with their boats. As a sailmaker with long experience with catamaran mainsails, I'm concerned the allure of these is blinding some people to possible risks. Comments about how the square top head adds light air performance and allows the sail to de-power in heavy air are technically correct, but there are

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-56524318608831076312011-01-27T15:32:00.001-05:002011-01-27T15:35:31.133-05:00

One of our clients Anne Stewart, CS 33 s/y Grey Ghost uses mountain climbing ascenders for grabbing lines. You can even use two hands.I thought I'd seen it all from what we refer to as uses from other industries.This is the bomb

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-15565731240832696192011-01-27T09:18:00.001-05:002011-01-27T09:20:22.099-05:00

In response to concerns on the Lagoon message board by someone thinking of buying a boat but not wanting one with “problems,” Dave Wheeler had the following response I found particularly insightful for its honesty and accuracy. Deb,I have to jump in here and say this. I have owned a Lagoon 410 for three years, a 38' twin diesel motor yacht for five before that and a 34'Gemini 105 for 5 years

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-33440716374206946052010-12-10T12:35:00.004-05:002010-12-10T14:04:13.291-05:00

Dan Myers' E-Ticket captured first in class in the 2010 Wirth Munroe Race to Palm Beach. Skipper Robert "Hutch" Hutcheson chatted with Super Sailmakers' Peter Grimm about the recent win.Q: Did you use the #2 the entire way? Hutch: No, we used the new #1, pretty light NW at the start, built during the day shifting N, then back to the WNW near the end.Did you reef ever? Hutch: None. Could have

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-81244609306399926202010-11-24T11:45:00.007-05:002010-11-24T12:10:38.423-05:00

Want more boatspeed, cheap? The most enjoyable distance races or cruises are long reaches, and we can make them even better for you. A spinnaker staysail gives you a nice boost in reaching speed. Just attach it to the foredeck, hoist it with a jib halyard, trim it to a snatch block, and you’re off!Benefits: More Speed. About five percent more -- or an hour earlier into Key West on a

Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441758975513045243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-39960806517149344462010-11-24T08:17:00.002-05:002010-11-24T08:19:59.195-05:00

Since June we've been "blogging" on our Facebook page. Check us out! Facebook fans are automatically entered in a drawing each month for free swag!!

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-50163992694797050322010-06-25T16:36:00.001-04:002010-06-25T16:36:51.718-04:00

Very cool. Doyle Stratis sails blasting around Land's End.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-11256401563214767432010-06-18T11:45:00.003-04:002010-06-18T11:50:07.144-04:00

Fantastic accomplishment, or a creative way to lose your girlfriend for a few years?

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-12131393858262653922010-06-14T17:52:00.000-04:002010-06-14T17:53:20.795-04:00

This guy just wrote looking to go sailing, and while we don't have a moderated crew board or anything, it seemed pretty darn easy to post it here. Anyone interested? Without his permission I won't post his e-mail, but I'll let him know he should come check out the blog. ---------I recently moved to Fort Lauderdale and I am looking to get back into in sailing. Unfortunately the last few years

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-33675614529336791232010-06-02T15:57:00.005-04:002010-06-02T16:06:47.004-04:00

We posted the best photos from the HISC Coach Clinic -- take a look! View below or click the slideshow to browse the files. If anyone wants the source file, just e-mail barr@supersailmakers.com and we'll send the full-res version."

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-42833781573714150652010-05-11T10:46:00.002-04:002010-05-11T10:47:56.315-04:00

For true maritime safety...

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-61866621115648093562010-05-05T05:35:00.001-04:002010-05-05T05:37:59.282-04:00

Sun SentinelGulf oil spill could 'devastate' South Florida's environmentAs Gulf blowout gushes oil, fears grow for Florida's wildlife and beaches

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-42435295195301472852010-05-04T05:46:00.003-04:002010-05-04T05:53:27.721-04:00

Some of the articles on the spill ("river"?) from the Deepwater Horizon well are beginning to focus on the potential impact on South Florida. Here's a few:Sun Sentinal, 5/4/10South Florida prepares for arrival of oil slickWill oil spill hit our beaches? Fate rides on the currentMiami Herald, 5/4/10Current may carry Florida's fateOceanographers tracking the massive oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-49062163615110007632010-04-09T14:18:00.001-04:002010-04-09T14:18:51.604-04:00

Six ounce Dacron is now available in colors and we've been making more and more sails out of it, like this Chrysler 20 Mainsail.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-56339145969240229722010-03-08T13:18:00.002-05:002010-03-08T13:29:57.413-05:00

We just finished work repairing a main and jib off Alex Jackson's Speedboat -- main about 800 pounds, jib around 450. Let's get this beast back in the water and break some records already!

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-2231959724395037502010-03-04T06:19:00.002-05:002010-03-04T06:31:04.730-05:00

I think I'll have to start a running list of these, because the proliferation of cool iPhone apps for sailing and boating continues to astound me, and you hear about them from many places. There's no links embedded to these below, just search for them in the App store. Note, prices fluctuate.Wind Meter: amazingly accurate measuring windspeed.Around me: good for finding restaraunts / ATM's /

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-46342302318504897072010-01-14T08:31:00.001-05:002010-01-14T08:31:49.077-05:00

Key West in the background, cappaccino-maker in the foreground. Maybe there by 9am?

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-66959724034916172302010-01-14T02:18:00.000-05:002010-01-14T02:19:20.068-05:00

Just before 11pm while averaging 9-10 knots a darting light came up from astern, and there was only one boat it could be. Crosswinds, the F-27 who'd been 30 minutes behind us had found the sweet spot in apparent wind and climbed up in our six like a fighter plane. True to the movie, he jinked low, shot high, we asked "'Where'd he go?' Hollywood said 'Where'd WHO go?!'" as he flew by to

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-44711482608004029762010-01-13T17:02:00.000-05:002010-01-13T17:03:13.215-05:00

Past the Miami Sea Buoy before 5pm.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-11341498845782971872010-01-13T15:19:00.001-05:002010-01-13T15:19:58.168-05:00

The 2009 Charleston Race winner Jasmine crossing the 2008 Key West Race winner Munequita.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-88090410464869337862010-01-13T14:58:00.000-05:002010-01-13T14:59:23.284-05:00

Crossing tacks with Semper Amantes.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-31683368873999186002010-01-13T14:33:00.000-05:002010-01-13T14:34:37.003-05:00

We has three choices to make and so far it seems we made the right ones. First. We went with the symmetrical instead of the a-sail because we knew we'd be gybing a lot in the north breeze. Second, we didn't go hard in or outside and seem to have a nice wind alley. Third, sea salt and vinegar instead of barbecue chips. Good call.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-14439242429233873442010-01-13T12:51:00.000-05:002010-01-13T12:52:18.000-05:00

The entire cre aboard Double Trouble breathed a sigh of relief just now after recovering from a near catastrophe. It turns out, the shoppers only brought 2% milk for the cappacino machine, NOT the half- and-half clearly indicated on the stores list. Fortunately we were able to hail for emergency assistance and a support vessel was able to run it out to us without too much delay. I'll tell

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-23886136482703311542010-01-13T11:53:00.000-05:002010-01-13T11:54:30.021-05:00

It's always nice to start the race on a good note. As I showed up to the boat, crew were already rigging a pump to the forward bow bilge after having discovered many, many gallons of water underneath the inspection port. Great get, guys! That saved us a few hundred pounds. On a roll, we decided to take a look at the chutes that got yanked out in a panic when the water was discovered.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-57634424647434721322010-01-13T08:01:00.001-05:002010-01-13T08:01:48.065-05:00

It's a beautiful 49 degrees the morning of the 35th annual Lauderdale to Key West race, with a diverse and competitive group of boats getting ready to fly south for the winter. Key West temperatures later in the week are supposed to be much more Florida-friendly, and the weather down looks accomodating, if a bit light out of the north. Follow the race with LIVE ONLINE TRACKING at

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-62920211982601858452010-01-11T12:47:00.000-05:002010-01-11T12:54:12.833-05:00

Super's Bob Meagher is off to Key West aboard Don Balthaser's Double Trouble, a Catana 58 with a -- just discovered! -- reverse-cycle A/C that can blow heat! Updates coming from the racecourse (connection permitting).

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-10088152633064063752009-10-22T08:34:00.000-04:002009-10-22T08:36:55.272-04:00

With the completion of the Columbus Day Regatta, the Super Sailmakers BOat Of The Year Series has its first results, posted online here. Boats receive points equal to the place in their class they finished, so we have a lot of ties right now that will filter out as the series rolls on. Next up, the Wirth Munroe Race from Lauderdale to Palm Beach on December 4.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-86057048220700479122009-10-22T08:28:00.000-04:002009-10-22T08:30:49.060-04:00

These are photos I took Sunday on the Bay of Columbus Day. Light winds, but good competition.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-71318071159977972552009-09-28T09:06:00.000-04:002009-09-28T09:07:53.239-04:00

The Sunday start of the 2009 Lime Cup (Lauderdale to Miami). Original photos available -- e-mail bob3@supersailmakers.com

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-7087214165123799872009-09-18T17:06:00.000-04:002009-09-18T17:22:11.286-04:00

Today we measured the mast bend for a new mainsail on a Sweden 370 and took a few shots. Here's how you do it. First, hoist the main halyard to the top, but attach to it a measuring tape and a low-stretch rope, in this case, a 1/8" Kevlar. Tie-off the Kevlar at the bottom at the right length so you can crank the halyard and load-up the line, to make the line bone-tight with the halyard shackle

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-51588201489898048652009-09-10T13:49:00.000-04:002009-09-10T14:27:53.689-04:00

For many years city and county law enforcement has enforced somewhat aggressive regulations against anchoring in South Florida for more than 24 hours. According to a new law passed by the Florida legislature, and explained here in a Boat US pamphlet, this type of crackdown has been significantly restricted. The result? Far more leniency on anchoring - once the local cops respect the state law.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-45178457999901273662009-08-24T10:14:00.001-04:002009-08-24T10:17:45.364-04:00

The Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club's Wendesday Night Series has been an example of how to grow sailing in South Florida -- invite everyone, have fun, and don't take things too seriously. Here's a video of August 5th racing from sailing photographer Nick Von Staden. If you can spare ten minutes for some good-resolution video shot from onboard one of the competitors, I highly recommend it!Hillsboro

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-71204277066618725392009-08-18T16:37:00.000-04:002009-08-18T16:44:15.817-04:00

This hurricane tracker seems pretty cool. Anyone got any better? 'Tis the season!http://www.stormpulse.com

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-71114574766056682992009-08-18T15:30:00.000-04:002009-08-18T15:34:03.016-04:00

The HISC Wednesday night crowd has been enjoying starboard-rounding courses for the past several weeks, and a review of the rules that govern starboard tack windward mark roundings might help take some of the anxiety out of them for some people.The simplest thing to remember is to treat a starboard-port incident at a weather mark the same as you would in the middle of the racecourse. Rule 18,

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-53128344734716094252009-08-12T08:22:00.000-04:002009-08-12T08:24:53.225-04:00

Sorry for the short break -- a vacation, catching up from the vacation, and covering for others on vacation all took their toll on the time. Maybe that was why this article caught my eye. A bit of a retread but nice to have it personalized for us:Zen and the Art of Sailboat Maintenance

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-30225831139770817282009-07-22T11:20:00.000-04:002009-07-22T14:27:20.607-04:00

This weekend the home team made us all proud with lessons that apply to any sailor. Sailors from across South Florida raced two majestic boats in the premiere superyacht regatta in North America, the Newport Bucket Regatta. While the boats couldn’t be more different -- the brand new, high-tech 124’ performance sloop P2 on one hand, and the 100’ newly-restored 1929 Alden schooner SummerWind on

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-64281997739866275232009-07-20T13:07:00.000-04:002009-07-20T13:13:19.337-04:00

Here's the first set of photos of Summer Wind under sail during her victory weekend at the Newport Bucket, from Marine photographer Leighton O'Connor.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-47983286459788281122009-07-19T20:02:00.000-04:002009-07-19T20:04:09.868-04:00

Reports are that P2 and SummerWind each won their class at the Newport Bucket superyacht regatta. Stay tuned for details.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-51603445380894651682009-07-16T14:26:00.000-04:002009-07-16T15:10:33.445-04:00

As reported on Sailing Anarchy, look at this instrument suite you can download on your iPhone. Does anyone know if this really works?big pimpin'iPhone TacticsAt a fraction of the cost of stand-alone tactical systems, the SailMaster application for the Apple iPhone provides all the information needed to optimize sailing and racing performance. SailMaster was originally designed as an economical

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-55300786296814343532009-07-14T13:49:00.001-04:002009-07-14T14:05:02.336-04:00

GMT Composites produces state-of-the-art carbon fiber products like masts and booms, as well as super top-secret government stuff. Lately, though, it seems we're partners -- their two signature sailing stories focus on local boat Royal Blue and Summerwind. Royal Blue, Ron Drucker's Hylas 70, shed 50% of its rig weight with carbon spars and sails. Summerwind, a restored 1929 Alden 100' schooner

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-25092180570359522132009-07-02T14:20:00.000-04:002009-07-02T14:22:55.782-04:00

American Sailors, a Grooters Productions original production, has been picked up by WGN America and will air nationally on July 4th at 9:00 PM eastern. In addition to this prime time slot there will be an encore airing on July 26th at 1:00 PM eastern. The show focuses on four skippers who competed in the 100th running of the Chicago to Mackinac sail race, the longest and oldest freshwater sail

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-86979494839249852012009-06-26T16:06:00.000-04:002009-06-26T16:19:25.659-04:00

(This is an article we wrote for Multihulls Magazine two months ago. It's a good magazine, with some useful info.)Watch out for the cliff! Every boat has it, every sailor feels it. Sailing upwind in 15 knots, the boat feels great, dancing across the waves. As you bear off onto a reach, the thrill increases as the boatspeed picks up and the waves feel softer. Heading down a bit more, you

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-24431152265591316212009-06-18T14:58:00.000-04:002009-06-18T15:13:04.051-04:00

Sometimes sitting around the office dreaming of a trip you may find yourself (gasp) without your charts or navigation software. For a quick read on distance between any two points, turn to -- you guessed it -- Google Maps. A cool and probably not so new feature can be found in the My Maps section. It's a checkbox that allows you to click in two locations on the map to the right and get the

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-64273855149559938332009-06-11T10:58:00.001-04:002009-06-11T13:07:32.582-04:00

>Sorry for the delay on this, but folks were out sick during a busy time and I was running around a bit keeping up. But here is the Powerpoint presentation we used at the coach clinic debrief on Monday, June 8 in the loft. People who attended can review the info at a more leisurely pace, and those who didn't can get a glimpse. It's a 13 mb file, so give it a little bit. Debrief Presentation

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-51996223941353844842009-06-02T13:37:00.000-04:002009-06-02T13:45:09.446-04:00

We're a bit late posting, but congratulations to the Boston College Eagles who won the 2009 Intercollegiate Sailing Association National Team Race Championships. Super constructed the colored jibs for the event for Hood San Francisco. This is the equivalent of the NCAA football championships, and we're happy to have played a part.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-89815982369140307842009-06-01T13:38:00.000-04:002009-06-01T14:13:35.628-04:00

The 100' Alden schooner "SummerWind" with her Doyle inventory made her sailing debut with a quick jaunt to Bimini with the owner and family this weekend. Here she is waiting upon return to Ft. Lauderdale. We hope to have shots of her sailing to share, and expect them to be even more beautiful.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175451952292186155.post-35186042544462338112009-06-01T11:48:00.000-04:002009-06-01T13:33:24.685-04:00

It was a very "diverse" day on the water yesterday, with everything from zero to 18 knots, and breezes from the southwest and east -- often simultaneously! We're taking the photos, video, notes, and later thoughts we collected throughout the day and consolidating them into a...DE-BREIFING SESSIONMONDAY, JUNE 8 -- 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Super Sailmakers4710-C NW 15th AvenueFt. Lauderdale, FL

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0