WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR POINT(S) OF
DIFFERENCE IN THE SAIL MAKING MARKET?
Principally, the technology behind our product range
and the reliability and durability it offers. And, as already
mentioned, having the right people in the role and our
strong focus on customer service rather than a one-size-fits
all approach is a key offering.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE THE MAIN COMPONENTS
OF YOUR RACING SAILS, CRUISING SAILS?
For cruising we offer a range of options, including Dacron
and cruise laminates. Stratis GPc is our targeted Stratis range
for cruising boats and offers double the surface taffetas. The
fibres used in construction of the Stratis range can be 100%
customisable to the customer, with fibre choice from polyester
all the way through to carbon fibre.
Our racing sails are now 100 % Stratis, using fibre
combinations that are customised to the yacht. Our Stratis
carbon ICE fibre is becoming increasingly popular as customers
look for increased performance at no cost to durability.
HAS SAIL MAKING REACHED THE LIMIT AS FAR
AS TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT IS CONCERNED?
Definitely not. Without question there are many more
advances to come. You only have to look at how much
sailmaking has progressed in recent years to know that there
are still so many technical developments ahead of us. We work
in a demanding market, where we are pushed to create new
solutions and technologies, which is really exciting in terms of
how we are able to apply these and work with customers
who are willing to be a part of these leaps forwards.DO YOU HAVE ANY TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENTS HAPPENING NOW
OR IN THE FUTURE?
R&D is a core part of our business and we are not ones to
sit on our laurels. Kiwis are known for their innovation in
creating solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems and we
are always looking for ways to both improve our existing range
and develop entirely new technologies. We have a strong beta-
testing programme underway, where we interact closely with
customers and trial new ideas and technologies, which helps
us really understand what the market wants. Before releasing
Stratis ICE in 2013 we had the product being tested on yachts
around the world for years in advance of the official release.
ICE and our Ultra Light Taffetas are just some examples of the
new products and technologies we are rolling out and there are
definitely more exciting developments to come.WHERE DO YOU SEE THE NEXT
DEVELOPMENTS IN SAIL MAKING HAPPENING?
There will be more fibre developments, including entirely
new fibres, together with more advances in weight saving
and performance. Achieving a balance of stability, range and
durability is a science that is constantly being developed in the
sailmaking field. Our radial Stratis gennakers are one example of
recent developments in this area, and this is a product where we
are seeing massive success. ✵77
DOYLE SAILSBRAD DAVIES