North Technology Group, the parent company of North Sails, announced in early August that it acquired both of its primary rivals, Quantum Sails and Doyle Sails—a significant industry shift that now puts the big three of sailmaking under one roof.

Quantum and Doyle have become the latest additions to NTG’s expanding sailing and ­lifestyle portfolio, which now includes businesses in the ­mast-building and rigging space (former rivals Southern Spars, Hall Spars and Future Fibers and Rig Pro continue to operate independently), electronics and apparel, kite and wingfoil gear, and even the ubiquitous regatta management platform, YachtScoring.

According to the announcement, North, Doyle and Quantum will continue to operate independently, “retaining their unique brand identities and competing for market share,” and “continuing to manage its own lofts, sales and marketing teams, and product suites.”

For a lucrative but niche industry known for its talent-­poaching and enduring market-share battles, the idea of having staunch brand-loyal salesmen suddenly playing nicely for the benefit of the sport is a novel but realistic one, says Sam Watson, NTG’s Connecticut-based CEO. “I kind of want that to continue, ­actually. I think that’s going to be part of us having an ongoing healthy business and climate for the customers. I want our guys out there to be still battling to win over the customer.”

North, Doyle and Quantum will continue to operate independently, retaining their unique brand identities and competing for market share. 

North Technology Group and North Sails was purchased in 2014 by Oakley Capital Investments, founded by UK businessman Peter Dubens, who, as a keen sailor, says that he’s committed to growing his marine business portfolio. 

“We want to grow the sport by investing in skills and innovation,” Dubens said in the announcement, “by supporting new technologies in sailmaking, and by committing to accomplishing all this in a sustainable way.”

Watson is confident that the fruits of NTG’s manufacturing capabilities and future investments will be welcomed by Doyle and Quantum loyalists. “My expectation is that the different groups will continue to live and breathe in the world that they kind of come from,” he says. “We want the brands themselves to continue to innovate using their own technology platforms, and we’ve got to invest in some stuff that’s going to be good for all of them and good for our sport. New material technologies, for example, are something that we’ll be able to invest in, to another level.”

Watson says that certain technical developments will soon trickle down from the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, of which North Sails has exclusivity across the fleet, technology that will be applicable to the superyacht market, which continues to grow in size and scale. “There’s a whole bunch of clever stuff coming when it comes to using machine learning and AI that really speed up and improve the quality of the design tools,” Watson says, “and there will be positive repercussions for all the brands.”

NTG has been investing heavily in the watersports space (wing and kite) for the past two years, and some of that development, Watson says, will usher in new materials for its sailmaking brands, allowing them access to materials and resources that may have been hard to come by before.

“The decision for Doyle Sails to combine forces with NTG was a no-brainer for David Duff, Richard Bouzaid and me,” says Doyle Sails CEO Mike Sanderson, who will continue to lead the company. “It ensures the longevity of the brand we are so committed to; it will keep challenging innovation in sailing; and it brings significant opportunities for our team, ­sailors and customers.”

What excites Watson the most about NTG’s ­sailmaking acquisitions is the “access to talent,” but for NTG, he says, succession planning is on the table, “which means bringing new talent into the business, teaching them the skills, and creating career paths for ­people. It’s a really important thing for us to sustain [in the] long term.”

NTG says that Ed Reynolds and Andrew Scott will continue to lead Quantum Sails, and Doug DeVos will remain involved in the business, and as an investor in North Technology Group.

The acquisitions do not affect Doyle One Design, currently based in Salem, Massachusetts, which continues to operate as a subsidiary of Doyle Sailmakers Inc., founded in 1982 by Robbie Doyle. Jud Smith, Doyle and Tomás Hornos continue to manage the Doyle One Design business independently.

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Mustang Survival has a reputation for providing top-notch, high-tech cold water gear for professional use.  Think winter-water rescue teams, ocean fishing and the like. When they rolled out the Quadra this past August, the goal was to provide a drysuit with a quality level comparable to their professional models, but at a recreational user price-point. The suit’s proprietary “Marine Spec” BP fabric is composed of three breathable, waterproof and UV-resistant layers that include a face fabric, a waterproof membrane and a nylon tricot backer, which not only protects the membrane but is also soft to the touch.  Even though you’ll likely wear a warming layer underneath, the softer inner layer should minimize chafe. Handling the suit you can feel how robust the fabric is, yet it’s not particularly heavy or stiff—at least for a drysuit. Mustang claims it stands up better than other waterproof breathable membranes against marine specific conditions including saltwater and, get this, “fish guts and engine fuel.”

Clearly, this is the real deal. 

The fabric extends down into each foot, making it easy to slide into the footwear. And, the Quadra really seems to shine when it comes to reinforcement in high-wear areas.  The extra heavy-duty Cordura seat reinforcement extends well down each leg and will easily accommodate a wide range of inseam lengths.  Knee pads are of the same material and similarly large. As a result, you can hike, sit on the rail or kneel on a textured deck with little concern about wear. The super-soft latex neck and wrist seals are easily trimmable, with built-in concentric trim guide marks and detailed instructions on the Mustang website.

We’re told Mustang pressure tests and water tests each drysuit before it leaves the factory, which is good insurance to have before ending up in cold water for the first time, and each suit comes with a two-year warranty from the date of purchase. 

Oh, and about those few details, such as the zipper, waist adjustment and leg cincher. We really like the front positioning of the zipper—you don’t need a friend to help you in and out of this suit—and a large T-handle on the pull makes the zipper easy to operate. In the spirit of simplicity, the adjustable webbing at waist level works, to a degree. The belt has about 3 inches of adjustable range, and with a 35/36-inch waist and testing out a size large, we could not get it as quite as tight as we’d like. Maybe it’s just that we like the security of a snug waist fit, or perhaps a size medium dry suit would have fit better.  Just below each knee is a velcro cinch strap that helps minimize bulk. 

With a sharp design that comes in either red or admiral gray for men and bluefin or admiral gray for women, the Mustang Quadra should definitely be on your list of finalists if you’ve got your eye on a new drysuit for the upcoming colder months. $849.99.

The post Mustang Quadra DrySuit Does More With Less appeared first on Sailing World.

You’ll like the front zip, which makes it easy to don and remove the vest, especially when trying to make quick layering changes or adjustments between races. And Mustang went with a large zipper, one you can easily operate, even while wearing sailing gloves.  

Another perk is that the zipper is offset, which allows the front pocket to be larger than if it was centered.  There’s plenty of room for anything you might want to carry while dinghy sailing: SIs, energy bar, etc. The only niggle, and it’s a small one, is that because the pocket is offset, it’s a little easier for right-handers to access than southpaws.  Certainly not a deal-breaker though.  Inside the pocket is a small loop to attach a lanyard and whistle. Nice detail.  

There are two other less obvious pockets.  First is one on the outside of the vest, just to the right of the zipper. It’s the perfect size for a sailing knife or something similar. It has a Velcro closure to keep anything there in place, and like the main pocket, there’s an inside rope loop as an attachment point. Just inside the left-hand zipper is another pocket, this one large enough to hold a cellphone. Even though it’s inside the vest, it would be reassuring to have a velcro closure on this one as well.  

The vest has a polyester outer shell and mesh lining to help keep you cool when the weather’s not. Side panels (beneath each arm) are stretch mesh and feature a crossed-webbing system, which we found really holds the vest in place, and there are drain holes at the bottom of each side panel. We did find the Podium 50 run a bit on the small side, so keep that in mind when selecting a size. All in all, it’s a great buoyancy aid option. Sizes J-XL. $124.99

Editor’s note: Mustang Survival states: This buoyancy aid is ISO-approved and meets the ISO12402-5 international standards. However, when used in North America, boaters must also have a properly fitting TC approved (Canada), a USCG approved (USA), or a Harmonized approved (both Canada and USA) PFD for each person onboard.

The post Comfort Rules with Mustang’s Minimalist Buoyancy Aid appeared first on Sailing World.

One of the coolest aspects of our data-rich world is the ability to send information over long distances. PredictWind, the New Zealand-based wind forecasting company, has long traded in their ability to deliver high-quality marine weather-forecasting tools and a curated selection of weather models. Now they’re pushing data farther offshore. 

PredictWind’s DataHub ($300, plus $50 for an NMEA cable) is a GPS tracking system that allows friends and family to track your position, globally, via the vessel’s agnostic internet connection (e.g., Starlink, 3/4/5G/LTE or Iridium), but this only nicks the gelcoat of the DataHub’s capabilities.

The Automatic Identification System allows vessels to exchange navigation data—via VHF-FM frequencies—to avoid collisions. While AIS data is near real-time and extremely accurate, its reach is limited to line-of-sight ranges. Enter internet AIS data, aka over-the-horizon AIS.

For years, port authorities, government agencies, and private companies have built shore-based AIS receivers that collect AIS-VHF data from passing maritime traffic via tall antennas (read: far greater range than ship-to-ship AIS communications). This data is aggregated and sent to internet servers, where third parties can leverage it. Additionally, low-earth orbit satellites can receive some AIS transmissions, which they aggregate, process, and transmit to a ground station, which in turn pushes it to internet servers.

PredictWind acquires this data from third-party vendors and places it on servers where DataHubs can access it. Once downloaded, DataHubs convert internet AIS data into NMEA sentences, which allows a race boat’s networked chart plotter to juxtapose internet AIS-derived targets with AIS-VHF targets. DataHubs can also mimic terrestrial AIS stations, collecting your vessel’s networked AIS-VHF data and sharing it with PredictWind’s servers. 

Internet AIS data, however, is older and less accurate than AIS-VHF data. For example, if there’s a delay of 15 to 30 minutes, a ship sailing at 18 knots will cover 4.5 to 9 nautical miles. Also, commercial-level Class A AIS transceivers broadcast at 12.5 watts every 2 to 10 seconds while underway; for comparison, Class B-CS broadcasts at 2 watts every 30 seconds, while Class B-SO broadcasts at 5 watts every 5 to 30 seconds. While these AIS signals are interoperable, power equals range, which means that Class A and Class B-SO broadcasts are often heard over Class B-CS messages. 

Here it’s incumbent upon every navigator to understand the important differences between AIS-VHF and internet AIS data, and to treat internet AIS data with healthy skepticism. That said, DataHub users can set their range from 5 to 300 nautical miles, allowing navigators to monitor distant targets without overcluttering their screens. 

Better still, DataHubs can also create automated AI polars. Here, DataHub collects information from the vessel’s NMEA network, which it sends to PredictWind’s servers, which, in turn, leverages AI to create bespoke polars. 

Unlike polars that are created by a yacht designer, Nick Olson, PredictWind’s marketing business development manager, says that PredictWind custom-­builds its polar based on how individuals sail their boats. These polars evolve as time elapses, however Olson doubts that the system could immediately detect if a crew blew out their headsail during a distance race. “Over time it would adjust, but not in the short term,” he says.

While some advanced features—including PredictWind’s proprietary over-the-horizon AIS data and automated AI polars—require a Pro-level PredictWind subscription, all users can leverage DataHub to track their vessel and monitor its live NMEA data globally. Additionally, DataHub provides firewall protection and optimizes email (read: compression), while its Anchor Alert App adds peace of mind for those on the hook.

So, if you sail with connectivity and are seeking a cost-­effective way of tracking your boat while also accessing internet AIS data, automated AI polars, and other data-rich features, DataHub offers another tool to your race electronics toolbox.

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Whether you’re chasing the podium or your next escape, Garmin can help with sailing technology engineered for your helm. Their award-winning products include chartplotters, sailing instruments, autopilots, radars, stereos and more — with a wide selection of sizes and setups to work with any vessel.

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Racing sailors will collectively spend hours washing down a boat after racing, leaving it gleaming and spotless for the next race day, but when it comes to foul weather gear, it’s typically tossed below, salt-crusted and dirty. It’s true that our wet weather gear rarely gets the attention it deserves, and when, or if, it does eventually stop keeping us dry, there’s a pretty good chance blame goes to our care, not to the gear itself. But not to worry, there’s an easy fix.

“I think back a long time ago people would just wear gear for a while and not really look after it that much,” says Kate Morrison, head of marketing and product development for Rooster, a sailing apparel company based in the UK. “But now, it’s more important than ever to wash your gear after every use.”

The heightened importance of caring for your waterproof gear today is the result of banned PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances that are considered harmful to public health and the environment. These PFAS chemicals are widely used, and in the past, they were used for “Durable Water Repellents” that were the first and essential barrier of the fabric. This coating, which makes water droplets bead up and roll off before they can saturate the fabric is essential to effectiveness of our waterproof gear. Once the outer layer of a laminate is saturated, the whole “breathable” fabric system essentially stops working.

The PFAS ban has been a major and ongoing challenge for all gear and clothing manufactures. Current alternatives are not as effective, which puts an even greater importance on foul-weather gear preservation.

“If you don’t clean out the salt and the grime that gets in the surface of the fabric, it will degrade and become less waterproof,” Morrison says. It’s as simple as that.

Rooster has used PFC-free treatments on its gear for the last four years. Today, many of its products use the company’s Aquafleece fabric, which is a polyurethane-bonded polyester fleece. Because the fabric is like a polyurethane laminate, it doesn’t need any PFC coatings required for most DWR treatments. “[PFC-free treatments are] better for the environment, but obviously it comes with its implications,” Morrison says. “[New gear] does need reproofing more quickly, which people don’t understand. If you bought a jacket 30 years ago, it’s still waterproof and going to last a lot longer than buying a new jacket now.”

Morrison says that customers have expressed frustrations with buying expensive waterproof jackets and then having to clean and maintain them properly to keep the effect. Because of this, she emphasizes that it’s more important now for users to be vigilant about maintaining the DWR finish of their foul weather gear. She suggests washing lightly used gear every 20 to 30 days of use. For sailors heavily using their clothing in more extreme conditions, she recommends washing for every 10 to 12 days of use. “You should rinse it with water every time to get the surface grime off,” Morrison says, “but it should be washed properly with either a reproofing wash or a performance [wash].”

Re-waterproofing Is Essential

While Rooster and several other manufacturers recommend using Grangers waterproofing products for its DWR clothing, another PFC-free option available in the US is Nikwax. Nikwax offers many products for cleaning and re-waterproofing clothing, footwear and equipment. For cleaning and re-waterproofing outerwear like rain jackets and pants, the company recommends using its Tech Wash to clean, and applying TX.Direct to re-waterproof.

Tech Wash is used in the washing machine in place of household detergent, which is harmful to waterproof clothing. Tech Wash is simply added with foul weather gear washed with a normal cycle.

TX.Direct is applied via a wash-in formula used in the washing machine during a second cleaning cycle with Tech Wash. Nikwax also offers a spray-on formula which is applied to a clean, wet item. After washing with Tech Wash, the Nikwax spray can be applied evenly with TX.Direct, hang dried or placed in the dryer with a low heat setting.

These waterproof coatings are durable, but not permanent and they can wear off over time, experts say. So, if you wash your gear properly and it still does not repel water, then it’s time to re-waterproof. One helpful tip is to completely wash and reproof your gear at the end of the season so it’s ready to go when the boat call comes.

The experts at Grangers tell us to reproofing our gear separately and simply pour its repel treatment directly into the detergent drawer of the washing machine. Wash on a full cycle at with warm water (or according to care label instructions) and tumble dry. The gear can be air dried, but the recommend a small about of heat to really set the protection into the fabric.

So, if you want to get the best waterproofness and breathability for the life of your foul weather gear, remember to race, rinse, repel, and repeat regularly.

The post Reproofing May Be Required appeared first on Sailing World.

Let’s start with basic construction. With an inner lining that resembles a very fine fleece, this is about the most comfortable wetsuit we’ve tried–and we’ve been sailing in various wetsuits for a heck of a long time. Made of Gill’s 3mm super-stretch Limestone Neoprene, when first trying on this kit, my first thought was, I’m going to need a bigger size. But because it’s so stretchy, I quickly discovered that their sizing chart is dead-on, and for a wetsuit, it quite easily accommodates a wide range of body movements. Plus, the lining makes it easier to put on, even when it’s wet. And, the 3mm thickness will keep you warm in temps down into the lower 50s and upper 40s–perfect for spring and fall conditions.

Now the nitty-gritty stuff, starting with the Long Johns. Two things stand out. First, there’s the “Di-Guard” abrasion padding on the seat, which extends down to just inside the back of the knee. No way you’ll find yourself off the padding, even when full-out hiking. And, you’ll really appreciate that the knee padding starts just above the knee and extends down to the ankles. If you have an inseam that’s either overly short or long for your size, the padding position is still going to be in the right spot for you. Second, at least for the guys, there’s a Velcro-sealed opening for relief. The ankles have drainage holes for letting out excess water as well as silicon grips that keep the wetsuit from creeping up at the ankles and creates a next-to-the-skin seal.

The neck of the ZenTherm 2.0 top uses Gill’s Glide-Skin, a smooth neoprene material that’s comfortable around your neck, yet provides an efficient seal to keep water out. Like the ankles of the Long John, the top has silicon grips at the wrist openings. What’s cool is that the top can be worn in different configurations, such as with the Long John or as a top for hiking pants.

In addition to the Long John and Top we also checked out the ZenTherm 2.0 leggings, a shorty, and full-arm wetsuit, as well as junior versions of those, all designed for cold-weather use. A Long Jane model, specifically designed for women, and a women’s top round out the line. The Long Jane has additional coverage on the front of the suit and a racer back, which Gill says is more comfortable for women. The women’s top is similar to the men’s, but accommodates female body measurements to ensure a better fit. ZenTherm 2.0 Long John, men’s sizes S-XXL.

The post Suiting Up with Gill’s ZenTherm 2.0 appeared first on Sailing World.

There will be times when you want all the bells and whistles with your foul weather gear, and there are times when all you really want are the basics. The new Gill Verso Lite Smock falls in the latter category as a well-executed, straightforward, efficient spray top. Nothing more. It’s waterproof, breathable, and has neck, wrist and waist seals, all of which are adjustable. A solid piece of kit for dinghy and small keelboat sailing.

What, you ask? No pockets? Nope. Well, chances are, if you’re in conditions that merit wearing a spray top, or smock as Gill calls it, especially on a dinghy, you’re likely wearing a lifejacket, which makes access to most spray top pockets difficult. Plus, the place where you really need pockets is in the lifejacket, where you can readily access them. So, no pockets? No problem.

Made of Gill’s proprietary two-layer fabric, which is one of the softest materials we’ve yet

seen in spray gear, the Verso Lite smock is quite comfortable–something you can easily wear for an entire day on the water. The fabric weight is light enough you’ll probably forget you’re

even wearing it, as we did, and it packs out very small. Great for stuffing into an inspection port bag. The low price point makes it the perfect entry-level piece of kit as well, while its simplicity will likely appeal to even broader ranges of racers. Available in black, light grey or marine blue. $130.

The post Gill Verso Lite Smock Keeps it Simple appeared first on Sailing World.

We first looked at Velocitek’s Prism compass in 2019 and found a lot to like: big, easy-to-read numbers, cut-acrylic lenses that allow the numbers to be easily seen in any daylight situation and not get wonky when viewed through polarized lenses, and at just under five ounces, probably the lightest small-boat compass out there.  So, when we learned a new version was in the wings, we had to see what could possibly have been improved.  

In appearance, the New Prism is identical to the original except for one detail—a USB port on the back, sealed with a half-inch diameter plug that can be screwed in or out with a coin. Out of juice after a long day on the water?  Plug it into your computer or a wall brick, and in about six hours you can go from zero to full charge. Most times, you don’t even need to be at 100 pecent since a full charge will last more than 48 hours, so you probably won’t even need six hours of charging. No more setting the compass out in the sun for hours after racing, hoping the clouds don’t roll in before it’s recharged. 

“The USB is more of a sure thing,” says Velocitek’s Charles Swanson. “Cloudy days don’t affect it, and it doesn’t matter if the compass is tucked up in the shade under the boom.”  With this setup, the solar panel is now just a battery-extending backup.  

The other big difference is inside. The New Prism now houses the same, patented, solid-state geomagnetic sensor found in Velocitek’s top-of-the-line ProStart instrument. Two big advantages of this upgrade, says Swanson. “This magneto-inductive sensor is not influenced by temperature changes and is inherently free from offset drift. This means that the factory calibration remains valid indefinitely and in all conditions. ”

More importantly, the new sensor, combined with the more powerful charging supplied by the USB connection, allows a dramatically improved refresh rate—the number of times the screen is updated—going from the earlier Prism’s once a second to four times a second. Want to see it in action? Go through a tack and watch the numbers change. Undetectable lag time.  

Ease of use?  One button positioned on top of the compass does everything. That should put a big smile on the faces of those who have struggled with multi-button processes on various other electronic devices. Press the button and the left screen says “BAT” and displays the battery level on the right screen. Shortly after, it automatically switches to compass mode. And that’s all there is to it, unless you want to set the damping mode, done by briefly pressing the button again.  Toggle through one of three damping levels by tilting the compass. This was the trickiest part of the compass to use, as you have to press the button again at the exact moment the desired damping level appears. Miss that moment and you’re probably onto another damping level. Not a big deal though, as this is something few would often adjust. Turn off the power by holding the button down for about three seconds. Easy-peasy.

For some, the one hesitation about the New Prism is the lack of a timer. The folks at Velocitek don’t apologize for that. After all, their goal was to create a straightforward, easy-to-operate, top-level compass—nothing more. Perfection embodied. And that’s just fine with a lot of sailors. For instance, in some classes, it’s impractical to have a timer and compass in one unit, such as Nacra catamarans, which mount the compass on the bowsprit, or 49ers, which carry the compass forward of the mast. That’s a pretty inconvenient reach to change modes. Others gravitate to a single-use instrument because of a reluctance to be without compass readings in the starting sequence. Yes, you can toggle between modes, but how many of us have found ourselves locked out of one mode or the other at that critical time, often because we accidentally pressed the wrong button or we held it down too long?  

This compass doesn’t meet the needs of everyone, but if you’re looking for a fail-safe instrument that will give you quick and precise readings as well as eliminate concerns about staying charged, it’s definitely worth considering. $579.

The post A Better Electronic Compass appeared first on Sailing World.

I once learned a great phrase from a wise old school boat captain, Jim Cannon. Every time we hoisted the mainsail he would say aloud: “Look up before you hook up.”

Cannon was, of course, referring to the proper habit of looking aloft before attaching a halyard, to ensure it’s not twisted or fouled at the top of the rig. Attached to our halyard was the standard-issue Tylaska H8 2:1 shackle, and by nature of it being a simple 2-to-1 purchase, it is easy to find a twist or two in the halyard, so it was always good practice to make sure all was right before the mast man did his thing.

After so many years of hooking up that reliable H8 and countless others, I never realized the Tylaska factory was a mere 45-minute drive from Newport. Over the bridge, down I-95 and through a wooded exit of Mystic, Connecticut, one comes upon an industrial park owned by Dr. Timothy Tylaska, who apparently invented the Tylaska Snap Shackle during his doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering. At the back of the sprawling park is building No. 14, which Tylaska recently built to house its expanding operation. The facilities may be new, but inside are relics of the metalworking industry; giant milling machines and presses that lead engineer Thomas Dixon keeps reprogramming and maintaining to crank out a long SKU of metal parts for boats, parachutes and anything else that needs attaching leading: shackles, friction rings, hooks the size of your hand—you name it, Tylaska can likely make it.

Curious to see how the stuff is actually made, we took a recent field trip to visit Tylaska, and while the Doctor himself was off on an errand, Dixon gave us a tour and walked us through, step-by-step (sans the anodizing bath), the birth of an H8 2:1. Now, whenever I look up to hook up, I know where and how it’s made in the US of A.

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