ABOUT US

"I have been sail making for around 45 years, starting my career with an apprenticeship in North Shields with Storrar and Bax sailmakers. Here, I learnt all the basics of old styled sailmaking, from laying out sails on the floor, to templating world championship winning sails."

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"I then moved to South Wales Sailmakers (Iliffe Sails) where I spent a year as loft manager, designing and building dinghy and keelboat sails. This provided various opportunities, such as working for one of the best sailmakers and sailors that this country has ever produced, Michael Mcnamara. So, undoubtedly, I jumped at the chance and spent 4 great years learning from the master in sailmaking and coaching. Mcnamara's talks were legendary."

"Towards my final year in Exmouth, I was introduced to, what was, a very basic computer program. This turned my head and I was instantly hooked - this was definitely the future! I was sorry to leave Exmouth. Here, I was lucky enough to sail with legendary Merlin Rocket sailor, Spud Rowsell, and make the sails for his Phil Morrison designed trimaran "Exmouth Challenge", which finished 3rd in The Round Britain Race. They certainly were a challenge; the biggest sails I had made to date, designed with just a ruler and pencil!"

"The computer idea stuck with me and as soon as I was offered the chance to move to Scotland, I set up Owen Sails in Oban. I had to learn and master computer aided design which came in the form of "Sailmaking soft-ware" written by John Palmer. I can still remember getting the floppy disc in the post from the states - an utterly groundbreaking moment in my career, and I was up and running. New versions and soft-ware developments continued, enabling us to make bigger and more innovative sails."

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"Owen Sails produced sail after sail and grew rapidly. This enabled me to purchase a plotter and cutter to speed up the sailmaking process. Graphic development was integral to the design process, with our sails winning World Championships in GP 14's and Class Wins at both Scottish Series and West Highland Week."

"I dedicated time giving talks on Sail Trimming and also sailied with customers of varied sailing experiences. I also help Cruising Sailors get the very best from their sails, providing specialised services such as tuning the rig and demystifying the art of sail trim. From this, evolved Sail Trim Coach, where I dedicate myself to sail with customers and demonstrate rig tuning and sail trimming."

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"Undoubtedly my highlight as a Sail Designer, so far, is to witness my sails be successful. Peaking specifically after winning a gold medal, at The Olympic games (Beijing, 2008). My Spinnaker, after 2 years of development, crossed the line in the medal race in the Yngling class to win the gold medal with the Yngling girls, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb, Pippa Wilson, and coached by Paul Brotherton - a truly fantastic feeling."

"In 2010, I invested in the Azure Project for Sail Design software and analysis software, exposing designs to Aero and Structural analysis. The following year, I coached Paul Brotherton at the Olympic trials in Weymouth ahead of the 2012 Olympic games. Since then, I been appointed Chairman of the Azure Project User Group, providing me with access to cutting edge software for Sail Design."