Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

UK Sailmakers Ireland’s Barry Hayes looks at the differences between Code Zeros and Flying Jibs on IRC, what are the best angles for each and tips for using them. Both sails are used reaching, but at what angels and why…

In light of the coronavirus situation effecting Ireland, Afloat.ie got in touch with Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland, who has lived in three continents, to share his experience in Asia and what’s going on with Covid-19 in Hong Kong’s…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives his top tips on how to be the best bowman  Any bowman worth his salt is fast on his feet, strong as an ox, and agile enough to climb the mast. The bowman…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives his top ten sail trim tips for the coming season 1. Know your sails, know your settings Many boats sailing inshore with non-overlapping headsail setup regularly use up to three headsails. It is…

Busy UK Sailmakers Ireland loft in Cork Harbour is preparing for another hectic season afloat while Loft manager Barry Hayes is also out and about meeting sailors on all four coasts of Ireland. Last Thursday night, Hayes led a talk at the…

Following on from the success of talks at Royal Cork Yacht Club, Howth Yacht Club and last night's Royal St George Yacht Club event at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers will give more sailing tips plus a demonstration…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland is at the Royal St George Yacht Club on Dublin Bay to talk about sail trim and boat optimisation for cruiser-racers on January 30th. Hayes worked as a sailmaker in Ireland for five years under…

The art of sail design has come a long way since the days of hand-dawn files and even rudimentary CAD design programmes. Today, UK Sailmakers Ireland uses SAILPACK which, in our opinion, is the best sail design program on the…

UK Sailmakers Ireland are looking forward to seeing current and prospective customers at boot Düsseldorf this week. If you want to see what the latest sail technology in Ireland, be sure to drop by UK Sailmakers on stand D 10 in…

Determining just how much lead is required depends on what type of yacht you have. Here, Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland explains what lead is and why it is so important to sailmaking. In sailmaking terms, the ‘Lead’ is…

Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland begins a new series of talks with Top Tips For Sailors next Thursday 16 January at Howth Yacht Club from 7.30pm. Members and guests alike are welcome to attend the two-part session which will…

The Winter period is the best time for getting your sails serviced writes Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland. Whether it’s your car, your own health, or your sails, it is no secret that an annual check-up and service is…

A perfect Christmas gift for the sailor in your life - the McWilliam bag is the ideal bag to take on your boat, as it is rugged and water-resistant. This Black Friday we’re offering 10% off everything in our McWilliams…

The pit or “strings” is a vital role aboard any boat; but not just mechanically, explains Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland. A good pit person is involved in everything. Every sail manoeuvre, the start, on the rail, aiding communication…

Tacking is likely the most common manoeuvre we execute on our boats. It is pretty hard to avoid in fact writes Graham Curran of UK Sailmakers Ireland. Every second lost while tacking is multiplied 3, 4, 5, 6 times when…

It is approaching the time of year where we make the most of what is left and prepare for the off-season pack up writes Graham Curran of UK Sailmakers Ireland. The Autumn/Winter period is the best time for buying new…