NEWS ARCHIVES

MATT BRIDGE JOINS DOYLE NEW ZEALAND AS SUPERYACHT COORDINATOR 

Matt's extensive knowledge of the superyacht industry, his understanding of the processes that need to happen to ensure a satisfied customer, and his ability to get the work done have led him to join the Doyle New Zealand Team. 

Matt and Quinny are the key superyacht contacts at Doyle New Zealand. The latest Dubois 52 meter, Red Dragon, was just suited with Stratis GPc Sails from Doyle New Zealand. Working with Peter Wilson, the owner’s representative, and the team at Alloy Yachts, Quinny and the New Zealand Superyacht Team pulled off an impressive delivery of perfect sails for a perfect yacht. Next up are the sails for the Phillippe Briand 120’ Performance Sloop and new working sails in Stratis for the Superyacht Alithia.

DOYLE DETROIT EXPANDS INTO OHIO AND WESTERN NEW YORK 

January 18, 2008: Robbie Doyle announced today that Al Declercq has been put in charge of growing the Doyle brand throughout the Michigan, Ohio, and Western New York markets. Doyle Detroit is the company's second largest loft in North America and the market leader in South Eastern Michigan. Robbie Doyle cites Doyle Detroit’s exceptional image in the region and unmatched customer satisfaction as the primary reason for selecting Al to manage Doyle's expansion in Ohio and Western New York. Al Declercq and the Doyle Detroit team will continue to work closely with Spike Boston in Sarnia, John Baxter in Chicago, Bill Buchbinder in Traverse City, and Ed Botterell in Toronto to provide unparalleled, consistent service for all Doyle customers throughout the Great Lakes.

According to Al Declercq, "the combination of Boston, Baxter, Buchbinder, Botterell and the Doyle Detroit Sales & Service teams combined resources, gives Doyle customers in the Great Lakes a wealth of knowledge to tap into to. In the near future, we will be making several announcements regarding our plans to upgrade the level of support for our customers in the Rochester, NY and Cleveland, OH areas."

For more information about the Doyle Great Lakes team visit:

Doyle Detroit   Doyle Traverse City  Doyle Midwest  Doyle Buffalo  Doyle Boston  Doyle Toronto  Doyle Detroit Sales Representatives

27,000 SQUARE FEET OF INLAID FIBER

© Mike Hunter

January 16, 2008: Doyle Sailmakers has launched into the new year with one of the largest projects to come from the Stratis^tm manufacturing facility in New Zealand.  

The 52m Red Dragon, the latest Dubois Superyacht from Alloy yachts, had sails fitted and commissioned in January, marking a milestone for Stratis^tm - by far the largest sails produced to date, and by all accounts probably the largest custom inlaid fiber sails produced by anyone in the world.

Since Doyle New Zealand embarked on the Stratis^tm project over five years ago in conjunction with Technology New Zealand , Doyle New Zealand has produced over 2,000 racing and cruising sails. Stratis^tm  sails have been exported to almost every country with Doyle Sailmakers locations worldwide purchasing the sails in either completed form or as a blank sail membrane to be finished with their own personal touch.

The total Stratis^tm membranes on board Red Dragon account for over 27,000 square feet of sail area – an impressive feat by anyone's standards, with the reacher alone coming in at just over 8,500 square feet.

New Zealand innovation products are always at the forefront of the marine industry, and the Stratis^tm Membrane Sails from Doyle New Zealand are being selected by a very high percentage of the new and existing Superyachts being produced due to the weight savings, performance increases and benefits of a sail that can be specifically engineered to address the exact load path on each corner of the sail. Every specific fiber sandwiched between the polyester or mylar laminates is engineered from propriety software and then mapped to a fully automated manufacturing process. Various fibers such as vectran, carbon fiber and kevlar are selected dependant on the owner's requirements.

Super Maxi Maximus also selected exclusively GPx Stratis^tm Membrane sails for their bid to compete in the 2007 Sydney to Hobart race, but unfortunately Maximus had to withdraw prior to the race start with keel problems.  

Join the revolution and contact your local Doyle loft to discuss the right Stratis^tm sail for your boat - whether it is a club racer or a superyacht!

MATADOR SWEEPS MARMARIS INTERNATIONAL RACE WEEK

SMITH QUALIFIES FOR 2008 ETCHELLS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

"THE PIG PICKIN' NATIONALS"

DOYLE SAILMAKERS HEAD DESIGNER, RICHARD BOUZAID, TO JOIN ETNZ 2009 AMERICA'S CUP CAMPAIGN

The Bouzaid name is iconic with sailing in New Zealand beginning with Richard’s grandfather who started a sailmaking company in the early 1920s through the generations to Richard, whose sailing resumé continues the Bouzaid reputation as an outstanding yachting family.

MALTESE FALCON FEATURED ON 60 MINUTES

FALL ETCHELLS REGATTA

October 30, 2007: This year's Fall Etchells/Star regatta in Annapolis featured five races over two days. With a shifty, 10-15 knot westerly on Saturday and blustery 10-25 knot conditions on Sunday, Gary Jobson and his crew, Rob Erda and Jud Smith, won the event with 13 points.  Gary was racing with a Doyle AP mainsail, DCH jib and new, bi-radial spinnaker.  Over half of the 19-boat fleet raced with Doyle sails, posting six of the top ten finishes overall.  The first day took its toll, keeping many sore and exhausted sailors ashore on Sunday morning in both the Etchells and Star fleets.

4th place finishers, Barry Allardice, Chuck Norris and Tim Hotchkiss sailed with a DC+ mainsail, 6.5 DCM jib and AP Crosscut.

This years winners of the Fall Etchells regatta: Gary Jobson and his crew, Rob Erda and Jud Smith 

DOYLE SAILMAKERS SUPERYACHT TEAM EXPANDS

October 30, 2007: Simon Lacey, with over 20 years industry experience, has joined the Doyle Sailmakers superyacht team.  English born Lacey is the former captain of the J Class Velsheda and most recently the 122' Ghost.  In addition to his work as captain of several highly visible yachts, he has been a sailmaker and a designer for both Hood and Doyle Sailmakers.  He will be dividing his time between the US and Europe.  Simon is also an experienced offshore sailor having logged over 150,000 miles at sea sailing offshore multihulls, superyachts and maxi racers.

Simon’s role within Doyle Sailmakers Superyacht team will include providing global customer service and support, and consulting with the design and engineering departments.  

“We are thrilled that Simon is back with Doyle Sailmakers,” said Robbie Doyle. “He will be a great addition to our Superyacht team.”

Doyle Sailmakers – Better Engineered Sails. The engineers at Doyle Sailmakers are known for innovative solutions to the high loads and special challenges of superyacht sails.  

To contact Simon Lacey, send an email to: slacey@doylesails.com.  

TASTES LIKE CHICKEN WINS J109 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Brian and Stephen Tedeschi and crew of Tastes Like Chicken celebrate at finish

Final Standings

1. Brian & Stephen Tedeschi, Tastes Like Chicken, Storm Trysail Club,
1-2-3-2-2-(5)-2, 12 points

2. Tony Wetherbee, Commotion, Balboa YC,
3-6-4-1-(7)-3-1, 18

3. John Shulze, Linstar, Balboa Yacht Club,
2-5-1-(6)-1-6-5, 20

4. Gary Mozer, Current Obsession, LBYC,
5-1-2-4-4-4-(9)DNF, 20

5. Tom Brott, Electra, Seal Beach YC,
(6)-4-5-3-5-2-3, 22

6. Jon Halbert, Vitesse, Dallas, Tx.,
4-3-7-(9)RAF-3-1-7, 25

7. Bryce Benjamin, Persistence, California YC,
7-7-6-5-6-(8)-6, 37

8. Chris Mewes, Shadowfax, Navy YC Long Beach,
(8)-8-8-7-8-7-4, 42

Race information and official standings at: www.lbyc.org

Regatta Photos

BILL LYNN WINS 2007 SONAR WORLDS

Photo by Sally Reider

^{Sonar Worlds Results}

TASTES LIKE CHICKEN WINS OVERALL TROPHY 
AT LARCHMONT NOOD

Complete Results

FIVE OF TOP 10 BOATS AT BENETEAU 36.7 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP ARE POWERED BY DOYLE SAILS

Representatives from Doyle One Design, Doyle New Zealand, Doyle Boston, Doyle Detroit, Doyle Chicago, Doyle Cleveland, and Doyle Toronto were all on hand to support our customers during the event. 

Sue Hogan and John Heatons “As You Wish” and Dr. Eric Yeo’s “Family First” lead off the line with Gary Tisdales “First Today” #51789 in hot pursuit.

Photo © 2007 Tim Wilkes / www.timwilkes.com

In the end, Richard Reid and his crew on “Zingara” sailed consistently enough to beat out multiple NOOD Regatta Champion Gary Tisdale and his boat “First Today” by a slim 2 points. Of the top 10 boats, 5 were powered by Doyle sails and proved very fast throughout the week. In 10 of the 11 races, Doyle Sails placed either 1^st or 2^nd, a true testament to the work that has gone into the sails and set ups. Doyle Sailmakers has the most extensive set up and tuning guides to help out customers go fast.

Doyle is continuing its developments of our already proven fast sails. Evaluation and testing of the 2008 sails is already under way. For 2008 look for more refinements to yarn layouts and fibers used.

The 2008 Beneteau 36.7 North American Championship will be held in Chicago, Illinois September 3-6, 2008.

Complete results 

DOYLE PROUD SPONSOR OF SUPERYACHT CUP IN PALMA

Superyacht Cup Overall Results

Photo Album

DOYLE DOMINATES BENETEAU CLASSES AT 2007 CHICAGO NOOD 

2007 Sperry Top-Sider Chicago NOOD Final Results

June 13, 2007: The Lake Michigan First 36.7 Fleet completed their first Regatta for the Best On Lake Michigan Championship this weekend.  Mother nature came through in great fashion as eleven First 36.7’s got in their first full weekend of racing in great sailing conditions.  Warren Levins’ Program picked up right where they left off last year to finish the weekend with 11 points and 1^st  place in the regatta.  The next three finishes were tight and separated by one point only.  Four points behind Program was former crew member (on As You Wish) turned new owner, Mark Norris’  Split Decision followed by Joe Hyla and team Bella Luna. The top three boats used Doyle sails exclusively. Split Decision used a brand new inventory of Doyle HMT/Carbon Stratis sails. This was their first regatta and following the Doyle Set Up and Tuning Guide proved to be fast out of the box! For complete results, click here. 

With 30 boats, the Lake Michigan Fleet is the largest 36.7 fleet in North America .  They run an 11 event One-Design race schedule that includes the Chicago NOOD regatta, Race to Mackinac (longest freshwater distance race) and the Verve Cup.   Five 36.7s will be traveling to Buffalo , NY to compete in the Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championship September 4-8^th.   The fleet will also host the North American Championship in September 2008 at Chicago Yacht Club-Belmont Station.  

BERMUDA SLEEPS, HARRIS CELEBRATES!

June 12, 2007: Courtesy Talbot Wilson

While Bermuda slept, Joe Harris celebrated. Joe sailed his Open 50 Gryphon Solo across the finish line off St Georges setting a new solo record for the Bermuda 1-2. Taking his own time, he finished at 1:37 EDT. His unofficial elapse time was 62 hours and 37 minutes from his 11:00 AM EDT start on Saturday June 9th. The old Bermuda 1-2 solo course record of 66h:57m was set in 2005 by Kip Stone aboard the Open 50 Artforms. The results are unofficial until verified by the race committee.

Winds held through the evening after Joe's last report to keep him on the record setting pace. As he approached Bermuda he attempted to radio the race committee on VHF, but apparently they were not awake to catch him breaking the record. Joe talked with Bermuda Harbour Radio to advise them of his position as he approached and notified them of his finish. He has now anchored in the harbour to sleep and wait for customs to open in the morning.

He called his winning time to his shore team at about 2:15AM EDT. "I'm sorry to wake you," he shouted. "I've finished, got my sails down and I'm motoring through the cut into St. George's. I tried to rouse the RC, but nobody would anchor. I'm totally stoked about setting this record. I'll have a solo spot of Jamison to toast my finish and then rack out for some real rest."

Way to Go Joe!

The 2007 BERMUDA ONE-TWO is organized by Goat Island Yacht Club, Ltd. and Newport (RI) Yacht Club, with support from the Rhode Island State Yachting Committee, the City of Newport, RI and the Town of St. George's, Bermuda. St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club is the host club in Bermuda.

For more information, go to www.gryphonsolo.com.

RACING SEMINAR WITH JUD SMITH AT BOSTON SAILING CENTER