Doyle Sails NZ and Stratis news - September/October 2013

by Elle Brade on 5 Nov 2013
It was a mild winter here in New Zealand and we’re now gearing up for what will hopefully be another stellar summer out on the water. With our new Westhaven office now up and running, complementing the Rosebank Rd loft, we're even better placed to help with all your yachting requirements.

Exciting news as we formally launched Stratis ICE in August; all tests on this innovative new fibre show we have something really special on our hands. Check out our brand new websites for Stratis – www.doylestratis.com – and Doyle NZ – www.doylesails.co.nz – for more information on ICE and get in touch with any of our team for inquiries.

Finally, if you've ever wondered about the design differences in sails for shorthanded/autopilot boats versus fully crewed yachts. Richard Bouzaid, Head of Design at Doyle NZ, has written an article on the subject and it's well worth a read.

Please keep in touch with all your news.

The Doyle Sails NZ and Stratis team

Stratis ICE nominated by jury for DAME Awards 2013

We are proud to announce that Stratis ICE has been nominated by the jury for the DAME Awards 2013. 52 finalists were selected from an initial 115 applicants across seven categories and  ICE is one of just two New Zealand products that made it through the selection process to be nominated. The nomination is a great indication that we aren't the only ones who think ICE is a game changer for sailing yachts. The final judging will now see the jury select a maximum of seven category winners and one overall winner, with overall winners announced on the first morning of METS (Nov 19th). Read More >>


Doyle-powered yachts dominate at the Coastal Classic 2013

The 2013 edition of the Coastal Classic saw more than 160 yachts of all shapes and sizes line up for the 119nm race from Auckland to Russell. It was a strong race for the Doyle powered boats with good performances in all divisions, including first place by handicap in four of the divisions. Team Australia took line honours with a time of eight hours and 15 minutes, nearly 40 minutes ahead of Team Vodafone, and Omega 8, which features a full Doyle inventory, came first in Division 1 and was also the overall winner of the race. Both yachts were carrying Doyle’s innovative new Stratis carbon ICE sails, as well as Stratis carbon technora mains, and the results speak for themselves. Read More >>


Team Australia set record crossing across the Tasman

Team Australia successfully completed their crossing from Sydney to Auckland. When they passed between Auckland’s North Head and the leading lights at Rangitoto Channel at 9:12:43NZT on 19 October, the six-man crew on the giant multihull from Sydney nicknamed ‘Big Bird’ set a new world speed passage record from Sydney to Auckland. Now ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, it is Team Australia’s second speed record in eight months having slayed the previous fastest time for the passage from Sydney to Hobart back in February. Skipper Sean Langman bravely predicts their elapsed time of 2 days 19 hours 2 minutes 45 seconds and 18.8 knot average speed for the Trans-Tasman ocean crossing will stand for decades. Read More >>


Design differences in sails for shorthanded/autopilot boats versus fully crewed boats

if you've ever wondered about the design differences in sails for shorthanded/autopilot boats versus fully crewed yachts. Richard Bouzaid, Head of Design at Doyle NZ, has written an article on the subject and it's makes for an interesting read. Read More >>


Red Kite 2

Anthony Root and his team on the A-35 Red Kite 2 sailed to a convincing win in the China Coast Regatta, hosted by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Sailing in IRC Racing division 2, against a variety of boats that included two other A-35’s, two A-40’s, a J/111 and an X-35 etc, Red Kite 2 scored five wins and a second place, over six races, to take the title.Red Kite 2 sails with a full inventory of sails from Doyle NZ, including Stratis upwind sails, and Asymmetric Gennakers downwind, designed by Richard Bouzaid. This is the fourth year in a row that she has won her class in this prestigious regatta. Read More >>



Line honours and a new course record for Ragamuffin 90 in the Hong Kong to Vietnam race

The Doyle-powered Ragamuffin 90 recently took line honours and set a new course record in the 2013 Hong Kong to Vietnam race. Averaging approx. 15.2kts for the course, she beat the existing record of Skandia Wild Thing, also powered by Doyle, by four minutes. The sail programs for Team Ragamuffin are co-ordinated by Mark Fullerton, of Doyle Qingdao, who is a key member of the Ragamuffin crew. Mark and the team worked on a sail plan for the 90ft boat that included going to a bigger square top mainsail, a new R2, R3, A2, AP Jib and genoa staysail, all made from Stratis. Read More >>

New sails for Steinlager 2 nearing completion

Doyle Sails NZ is proud to be the sails supplier of choice for the Steinlager 2 restoration, being undertaken by the NZ Sailing Trust. Undergoing work at the Yachting Developments shipyard, the iconic yacht is being given a new lease of life to take her back to the condition she was in when Sir Peter Blake steered her to victory in the 1989/1990 Whitbread Race. With the project now nearing completion, 'Big Red's new sails are well underway at Doyle's Auckland loft, and will be ready in early November. Read More >>


Simrad Series Race Report: Flash Gordon

The Doyle powered Flash Gordon, skippered by Stu Molloy, came first overall in the SSANZ (Shorthanded sailing Association of New Zealand) 2013 Simrad Series. Their race reports details the challenges of the three race series. Read More >>


ISAF approved Sea Survival Training Course

Here at Doyle we fully support and endorse the ISAF Approved Sea Survival Training Course, run by Alan Gwyer. We think it's a must do for any coastal or offshore sailors. Yachting New Zealand has approved Alan, one of Yachting New Zealand's preferred training providers, through SWBENZ to produce and deliver a new Advanced Sea Survival syllabus. Coming from a professional boating background Alan identified that the ISAF Course offered in New Zealand was much too generic and did not cater for the fast evolving technology and the different types of boats and crews that are moving off our coastline. Read More >>

T Shirts

We've just taken delivery of some cool new Stratis tees and caps. Tees are for sale at $25 (incl GST) and Stratis caps $20 - if you'd like to order yours please contact us atinfo@doylesails.co.nz 


Coming Up

37m Moonbird (Dubois, Fitzroy) will soon relaunch with a full new set of Stratis carbon ICE sails. A performance focused yacht, we are looking forward to seeing her in action during sea trials in November. We are also busy with a full set of ICE sails for 30.5m Indio (Frers, Wally). Watch this space for photos and sea trial reports. 

CONTACT US

Please get in touch with any sail enquiries you have or any service work you would like to schedule.

As we keep up with innovation on sail design and engineering, and in many cases drive the market, we are keen to assist in early stage planning and advice on sails for new builds, whatever stage of the build schedule you are at.

Don't forget we also offer rigging, repair and covers and upholstery services.

Chris McMaster (Managing Director) – chris@doylesails.co.nz
Mike Sanderson (Head of Sales) – mikes@doylesails.co.nz
Richard Bouzaid (Head of Design/Director) – richard@doylesails.co.nz
David Duff (General Manager/Operations Manager) – duffy@doylesails.co.nz