May 2022 Newsletter

Customer Spotlight - Alex Zaputil

Alex lives in Seattle, Washington in the USA, and started sailing in Optis at the age of 4. He began racing them at 8 years old throughout the Pacific Northwest and surrounding area, and at 14 he graduated to the ILCA dinghy. Alex soon became interested in seeking additional opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills, first traveling to Spain to train and then joining the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and their Race Team in Vancouver BC, Canada for an on-going, high-level training program. In July 2021 he competed at the ILCA North Americans, in ILCA 4, and managed to place 10^th in a competitive fleet.

This summer he is looking forward to travelling with the team to the ILCA 6 North Americans in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and the ILCA 6 Youth Worlds in Houston, Texas, USA. He enjoys researching improvements for his ILCA dinghy and soon found Southeast Sailboats to be a “go to” resource. Implementing the new innovations and tips from Southeast Sailboats has been extremely helpful. Favorites include the Allen high-load kicker block, the double-puller outhaul elastic system, the PRISM Compass, the Black Dog Tiller and, of course, the super clean traveler wear protectors to keep his ILCA dinghy in tip-top shape!

NEW - Kicker/Vang Drop Nose Pin

One of the parts that we regularly get asked for is a quick release pin to attach the kicker/vang fitting to the mast.  We have sold some in the past, but none proved reliable, so we asked a major equipment manufacturer to make a custom drop nose pin for Southeast Sailboats.  This drop nose pin is designed to securely attach the Harken lower kicker/vang assembly to the mast and is now available with or without a retaining Dyneema landyard.  

Southeast Sailboats in Spain

Southeast Sailboats spent a long weekend at Calella de Palafrugell in Spain for their EuroMaster event.  In the 60+ ILCA6 fleet I even made the podium, finishing 2nd overall to Spanish Olympian Monica Azon, with Wilmar Groenendijk from The Netherlands 3rd. Next up is the Masters Worlds in Mexico in early-June - as this is a longer event please note the 'away/shop closed days' later in this newsletter.

ILCA 6 sails now in stock

A quick note to advise that we have a small amount of ILCA6 sails in stock.  Our last batch of ILCA6 sails sold out within days.  ILCA4 and ILCA7 sails are also in stock.  Plus, as mentioned in our last newsletter we now stock rounded sail numbers as well as the 'digital 8' type.  Want a sail? Order on-line or call us and we will include a sail number set free of charge.

Top Tip - Kicker/Vang Fairleads

Virtually every kicker/vang system we get back to re-rope has a badly worn fairlead.  A groove in the fairlead not only makes the kicker/vang harder to use, but it also starts to wear your line very quickly. Even some top sailors aren't understanding the importance of this - here is a typical email and photo (copied with permission)! 

"Thank you very much again, Max!  I did not know the vang fairlead affects the line so much! Attached image is for my older kicker which I am not using now, but I guess this really look bad."

These plastic fairleads wear quite quickly so its a good idea to inspect them after every 10 days if sailing. As soon as you see a groove forming switch it around or replace it - it's much cheaper than a new line!  

New TiiTAN kicker/vang block - now shipping!

Building on the success of the popular XHL block, the TiiTAN is the latest Allen block.  The new TiiTAN block features a titanium sheave and ceramic bearings for improved performance and reduced weight.  Southeast Sailboats are proud to have been involved in the development/testing of this great new block over the past 6 months.  You may have seen a prototype ‘bronze’ coloured one on European Champion Micky Beckett’s boat, and a grey or red one on mine!  We have some of the first batch of these new blocks in beautiful blue, after which we believe that they will be a gorgeous grey! 

The TiiTAN block is available by itself or as part of a custom kicker/vang system. Check out the links for more info and pricing.

PLEASE NOTE  Away Dates - May/June

Running a one person business isn’t easy!   I am designer, splicer, packer, despatch clerk, web master, book keeper etc. etc.!  Plus I have to try and juggle working with sailing, and other activities.  So occasionally I have to put up the ‘gone sailing' shop closed sign on the homepage banner and top notification line, when I am away for a sailing event or holiday.  I am not away for more than a long weekend that often but when I am I try to give as much advance notice as possible. 

I will be away for a long weekend between 19th May and 24th May.  For the Masters Worlds in Mexico please note that Southeast Sailboats will be closed for a more extended period from the 8th - 18th June.  The website will have prominent banner messages advising of last order dates before these two closure periods.  As always, your understanding is really appreciated.

Check out our YouTube channel

Latest videos on our YouTube channel are instructions on how to fit self-bailer springs, the deck block soft shackles and our traveller wear protectors.  Just search for Southeast Sailboats on YouTube, click on the link or scan the QR below.

International Shipments 

Southeast Sailboats delivers all over the world with tax free pricing in multiple currencies.  To date we have delivered to over 40 countries!  For more information on what tax free means click on the link below.  

Typical Delivery Times - Based on recent tracked shipments  (which we can see when they are delivered), below is the latest guidance on postal and UPS delivery times to Europe, and other destinations, in alphabetical order:

Australia - typically 14-21 days

Austria (via UPS) – 2 days, post 12 days

Belgium - typically 7 days

Canada – typically 7-12 days.  UPS 2 days.

France - typically 6 days  

Germany - 6-14 days

Greece – typically 9-11 days

Hungary – 10 days

Ireland (Republic) – typically 3-8 days  6-8

Italy – Post - Please note that this is a very slow service due to customs delays.  UPS typically 4 days

Japan – typically 7 days

Netherlands - typically 6-14 days

Norway – typically 14 days

Poland – typically 6 days

Portugal – approx. 28 days 

Singapore – typically 7 days

Spain – Please note that this is a very slow service due to customs delays in Spain

Sweden – typically 4--14 days

USA - typically 6-8 days. UPS 2-3 days

For more information on tax free pricing click on the link below.

Popular upgrades

The following continue to be some of our most popular upgrades....

Harken 29mm bolt-on deck blocks.  Easy to fit, these blocks instantly improve your Laser. Available as the blocks by themselves or as an assembly including the block plate.

Our signature 8:1 downhaul/cunningham system.  We have built/shipped hundreds of these systems to sailors all over the world.  An essential upgrade if you are using the MKII standard sail, and also if you are struggling to pull on enough downhaul on your Radial or 4.7 rig.  Each system shipped is custom made using blocks from Harken, Allen and Ronstan, with options including rig type, termination and secondary lines types/colours. 

Transform your kicker/vang system with our range of great free-running block/key assemblies using blocks from Harken, Allen and Ronstan and stronger kicker keys.  Whether you are using a 15:1 or 12:1 setup, lower friction in your system makes it easier to pull on, leaving you with more energy to focus on sailing/hiking!