| About Us |
| Wednesday, 03 October 2007 |
The Loft
McWilliam Sailmakers first opened in Cowes in 1979. Founded by John McWilliam and managed by Chris Ratsey and Barry Watkin, the Company began by specialising in high quality, individually built sails for both the cruising and racing market.
Over the years we acquired a loyal customer base and a reputation for providing excellent service and sails -with many of our original customers still with us today.
Always keen to utilise new technology, we were the first to install a computer aided design program and plotter. In 1998 we joined the American based UK Group which gave us access to their vast resources for new sail designs and revolutionary fabrics available only to UK (one of which was the incredibly successful Tape Drive brand).
UK are now joined with Halsey, forming UK-Halsey - one of the largest sail making groups in the world which his has enabled us to offer an even wider range of exclusive designs and fabrics for both the cruising and racing market. However, we know that personal contact is vitally important, so when you call us here at Cowes, you will be able to get professional advice regarding the best type of sails for you and your boat and the type of sailing you do. All this from the person who actually designs your sails!
UK McWilliam Sails have produced race-winning sails for many well known boats - from successful quarter-tonners including “Purple Haze” and “Runaway Bus” to Sigma 38’s “The Project” and “Persephone” and all classes inbetween up to “Bear of Britain”. Our sails have been on Admiral’s Cup boats and also on the local Sonar and Mermaid fleets.
On his retirement, John passed control of the Loft to his son Tom, a well known and respected sailor, sailmaker and sail designer. Rob Larke is loft Manager, ably assisted by Sam Richmond in the Sales Dept.
Rob Larke
Rob Larke (‘Larky’ to the sailing fraternity) first took to water at the tender age of eight in his home town of Broxburne, Hertfordshire. Attracted immediately to the racing taking place on the lake, Rob passed over from kids sailing lessons and jumped straight on board a cadet as crew. He quickly progressed to being one of the most successful helms at the club and was selected to represent the British Cadet team. In 1990 he formed part of the GBR squad who won the cadet pre worlds.
Sailing became Rob’s passion and at 16 he packed up his kit bag, left both school and home and followed his dream of becoming a sailmaker. He’s a self confessed perfectionist and found juggling racing at National level and putting all his energy into his new trade just too demanding to do well at both. He retired from the sailing arena for two years until he believed he had learned his trade sufficiently to concentrate on sailing without distraction. In hindsight, a wise move as Rob went on to win the Hornet Worlds, rs400 Inland Championships and the B14 Inland Championships.
More recently he has had success sailing Melges becoming the National Champion and gaining 4th place in the worlds in 2000. He won both the French Championships and the rather more relaxed Cork Week in 2002. Topping this he’s been Hornet National Champion and the Irish 1720 Champion. These days he can be found on the race course with his customers coaching on saill trim to ensure they too enjoy the success of racing.
After 14 years in the business, Rob joined McWilliams in 2005, and his enthusiasm for all things sail related has not been suppressed in fact the very reverse, he’ll tell you that:
“every sail is different, it’s the best feeling in the world when the sails that you have designed and built, win races – I just love it”
Rob Larke manages the McWilliams Loft based in Cowes Yacht Haven, located on the marina front. You can contact him and his team on Tel: 01983 281100 or pop in and have a chat when you’re passing through Cowes
Sam Richmond
The newest edition to the UK McWilliam Sailmakers team here in Cowes is Sam Richmond as our salesman.
Initially from a dinghy racing background, Sam competed at an international level in Optimists, 420s and 49ers. He started his sailing aged 5 in Anglesey, North Wales. The first yacht regatta for Sam was Cork Week in 2002 aboard the Swan 48 Jacobite. This led to him wanting to work in the industry.
Since moving to Hamble in 2003, Sam has been looking after and managing racing yachts including the Farr 52 ‘Team Tonic’ and a number of Farr 45s. Sam has mainly keen racing onboard Jerry Otter’s hugely successful Farr 45 ‘Werewolf’ as trimmer and has also been racing Etchells and Melges 24s over the last 2 years posting some good results at World Championships.
Sam’s’ favourite place to be is Trearddur Bay on Anglesey in North Wales, where it all started, sailing on his fathers Seabird Half Rater. Recently Sam has climbed Snowden for a wager.
You can contact Sam at the office on 01983 210 100 or on his mobile 07786 298 872. His email address is sam@ukhalsey.co.uk.
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