Doyle Sailmakers NZ host Bavaria owners evening

by Jane Pares, International Marine Brokers on 29 Nov 2006 Bavaria yacht owners enjoyed an informative evening last night with Andy Pilcher of Doyle Sails, Auckland who kindly hosted them in the sail loft.

Doyle NZ are known for their continuous innovation and advanced technology, making them one of the most advanced in-house sail production systems available. Integrating old-world craftsmanship with fully computerized design and laser technologies, the spectrum of their sail making varies from super yachts to dinghies.

This vast background of expertise meant that they provided the Bavaria owners with an extremely interesting and informative evening. Andy kicked off by demonstrating the highly sophisticated computer programme that Doyle uses to design sails. Its flexibility is quite amazing - input the model of boat of your choice and then play around with any combination of sail and sail cut. The rig can be viewed from every conceivable angle you can think of and variables such as wind direction and speed can be fed in to work out the optimum cut of sail.

Most of the owners who attended the evening, race their Bavarias as well as cruising them and were keen to hear about the different sail materials available on the market, so we moved through into the sail loft with cold beers in hand. Andy talked us through the cutting process and showed us how the sail is designed to be strongest in the greatest load carrying areas. As far as cruising is concerned, Dacron is still the most popular choice of material for boats up to 40ft. It’s great value for money, has long term durability and holds its shape well.

Quintin Fowler was very interested in the evening as he’s got a new Bavaria 44 Vision on order and the sails will be made in Auckland. Bavarian Wave, his previous Bavaria 44 Cruiser, which has been extensively and successfully raced on the harbour, up the coast and to the Islands, is still using the original Elvstrom headsail.

Doyle Sail Makers NZ Ltd are found at
23 Westhaven Drive,
PO Box 90 159
Auckland
New Zealand
Tel 09 307 0799 or freephone 08004SAILS
www.doylesails.co.nz