May 2024 Newsletter

Is it a toggle?  Is it a dogbone?  No – it’s a TogBone!

Clew blocks using the new TogBone are ideal if you are using our quick release outhaul systems (where the clew block stays on the sail) or using our normal outhaul system if you rig your sail on the ground (they are a bit fiddly to fit to a flapping sail!).  As used by Micky Beckett in Hyeres a few weeks ago!

Harken / Ronstan Kicker/Vang comparison

This is a question that I get asked a lot - "Is the new Ronstan kicker/vang lower assembly any better than the Harken assembly?"  I have provided my thoughts in previous newsletters but I thought it was about time to ask Micky Beckett – he has sailed with the Harken assembly day-in/day-out for over a decade, but has recently switched to the Ronstan lower.  Why?  Read on…

“Ronstan have recently introduced a new class legal vang (kicker) base unit, as an alternative to the existing Harken unit which has been around for some time. The immediate difference is a more compact set-up, with the 4 turning-points and cleat contained in a much smaller piece of hardware. The matt-black finish looks quite smart too.

The achilies heel of the Harken assembly was always the single block that the primary line ran through, which was insufficient for the load it was carrying and so contributed to the lion’s share of the friction – which for a system that is often used as a 15:1 setup – there is already plenty of. This has been replaced by a wider diameter block which provides a much lower-friction turning point. The other main change is that there are there are two small blocks to carry the secondary line out of the unit through the cleat, rather than having a single block then a fairlead which would cause a large amount of friction when you pulled the kicker line at any kind of angle to the boom (e.g just before rounding the leeward mark).

These two changes do amount to the vang being a lower friction system, which is a good thing. There are occasional moments where the two side blocks for the secondary line protrude out and interrupt the outhaul or downhaul which run next to it, which whilst inconvenient isn’t disastrous. Equally there has to be a crossover in the threads of the secondary line due to the changed position of the blocks; annoying but not prohibitively so.

On balance the Ronstan base is, not surprisingly, an improvement, and in the time I’ve been using it hasn’t showed and signs of breakage or undue wear.” Micky Beckett

The only thing that I would add to what Micky has said is that I have found the Ronstan unit to be much easier to uncleat than the Harken, especially when you have a lot of kicker on.  I had a ‘scary moment’ a few weeks ago coming into a crowded windward mark on the port layline, where the combination of my weaker/golfers elbow left arm struggled to uncleat it whilst I was concentrating on the line of starboard tack boats just ahead!!

We stock the Harken and Ronstan lower assemblies and also have a wide range of fully rigged kicker/vang systems using both the Harken and Ronstan lower assemblies.

Micky and Matilda at Palma

Photo Credit: Sailing Energy

After his successes at the Princess Sofia regatta in Palma in 2022 and 2023 could Micky Beckett make it an unprecented three in a row?  Yes he could, and did and in some style, absolutely smashing the competition winning with a day to spare.

Matilda Nicholls also had a great Palma regatta – read what she has to say about 2024 in this great write up.  Matilda Nicholls writes..

“It’s been a really busy year so far with the Olympics fast approaching. Starting it off in Argentina for the Worlds was amazing!  Massive waves made for epic sailing and Argentina’s hospitality was incredible. I ended up in 16^th overall and despite this being one of my best Senior performances so far, I couldn’t help but think about what I had lost out on the final day of fleet racing as I had dropped from the top 10.

Shortly after, I received a call to say our Olympic trials had ended. I was really gutted to hear that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to compete again for the 2024 spot. With it being my first trials, it was a whirlwind of emotions – disappointment, yes, but also a strange sense of relief. The weight of expectation lifted, replaced by some clarity.  And after a couple weeks of reflecting, I was soon excited by the opportunity to learn as much as I could from the lead up to the Games which I will take onto the next Olympic cycle.

It has been really cool to continue working hard with my teammates Daisy Collingridge and Hannah Snellgrove as we push and help Hannah as much as possible towards a medal this summer. It’s an exciting time to work with each other without the trials looming over us. We have all been training hard over the last few months and I had been really looking forward to racing at the World Cup in Palma.

This event is almost as big as the World Championships, drawing in all the top ILCA sailors, making it a key competition in the calendar. It was also the final major competition ahead of the Olympics where every nation with their top sailors would be attending. I was really excited by this opportunity to compete against everyone really pushing ahead of the Games. I managed to kick off the week with a race win in proper survival conditions – massive waves and wind averaging over 25kts!!

The following few days saw some light to medium strength conditions. After day 2, I found myself wearing the red bib - this was only the second senior regatta I’d been in a medal position!  My coach told me I had to go and make it one better and we joked the blue bib would suit our BST kit much better. The next day was the first day of Gold fleet so racing became even tighter and harder with the top sailors in one fleet. And with a solid day I managed to do it, I was going into day 4 wearing the blue bib!

Day 4 proved to be a tricker, lighter day where I struggled but remained in the top 10, tight on points. Going into Day 5 I knew I needed two top 15s to keep myself in the top 10 ahead of the medal race. Race 1 I finished 14^th only to discover I had been called over the line in the race. With a UFD on my score line I knew I had to just go out and smash the final fleet race of the regatta. The wind had slightly picked up and we were back to hiking. I can’t remember the last time I’ve hiked so hard in a race with max power in the rig just thinking I need to send it!  I crossed the finish line in 3^rd and had made it into my first ever Medal race!!!!

Not only had I made it into the medal race, but I was going into it in 4^th place with the potential of moving up to a medal position. That evening, I was reading up on all the different rules for medal racing in preparation for the next day. It’s times like these where it is so cool to have such talented and experienced sailors in my team. I was messaging both Hannah and Micky Beckett for any tips or different rules to be aware of and they both were super helpful and kept me calm going into the race!

Photo Credit: Sailing Energy

Medal race day begins with an inspection of our boats by the measurers. The boat park feels very different with only you and your nine competitors lined up next to each other. After measuring we were quickly postponed due to a lack of wind and 5 hours later they launched us! A light breeze had filled it which made it very good medal race conditions for some boat-on-boat action. I switched on my focus for the racing and before I knew it we were off. I had a tricky 1^st upwind putting me in 6^th in the race but there was still lots to play for with us all so close together. After a good gate decision, I was up to 2^nd in the race and manage to finish there. After all the others finished and a bit of maths with my coach we worked out I had moved up to 3^rd. I had just won my first Senior medal!!

It was so nice to come back ashore and have so many friends, teammates and competitors come up and say well done. With our sport being so competitive on the water, it’s really cool to see the support we all have for one another once ashore. It was a quick turnaround to the prize giving which was held under the stunning Cathedral in the centre of Palma. I will be reliving these incredible moments of the last week for a long time! It’s great to see all the hard work coming together and proving to myself I can be at the top of our fleet.

It isn’t long now until I head to Hyeres for the French Olympic week. It’s a bit of a different set up this year with limited entries as the Last Chance regatta for nations looking to qualify for the Games is also happening at the same time. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to another week of tight racing. Then next stop Marseille! We will be training in the Olympic venue all summer to support Hannah in the build-up to the Olympics. Thank you as always to Max at Southeast Sailboats who has supported me for 5 years now and has always believed in me!   

Many thanks Matilda!  This write-up from Matilda was written just before Hyeres, where she had another great week!

10:1 Downhaul Systems

Over the years we have made a small number of 10:1 systems for customers.  These are gaining traction and more and more sailors were using them at the super windy ILCA7 worlds in Australia, so we have added them to the website.  Designed explicitly for the ILCA7 (Standard MKII) rig, the 10:1 system provides the maximum amount of purchase allowed under the ILCA rules. 

Consider using a 10:1 system if your are finding that you are struggling to pull on enough downhaul (Cunningham) using an 8:1 system.   We have systems using Harken 29mm (below), and Alen 30mm normal and hi-load blocks. 

Long sail bags – ILCA4, 6 and 7 Colours now Available

We now have long sail bags for your rolled sail available in white, blue and orange.  Perfect for your ILCA sail no matter what rig you sail! 

Outhaul Primary/Secondary Assemblies

As a result of numerous customer requests we have added outhaul primary/secondary assemblies to the website.  So, if you need a replacement, or a second set (maybe for an alternate ILCA4/6 setup), then they are all there. Available in normal and quick release versions, top/side or front of boom configurations and for ILCA4 or 6/7 rigs!

Ratchet Block Range Extended

We have extended our range of ratchet blocks to include the Harken 1.5 ratchet block, the Harken 1 and 1.5x autoratchets, and also the 2x Ronstan switchable normal/auto block.  All available at great prices.

What's Trending!

Our unique kicker/vang fairlead – ILCA Class Legal: Hundreds sold!  Our unique, ILCA class legal kicker/vang fairlead is a real success. This hard anodised PTFE coated aluminium fairlead will reduce wear on your kicker/vang control line.  Available from stock exclusively from Southeast Sailboats.

Hiking Strap Adjustment System: Available in four colours our unique hiking strap adjustment system is proving very popular and customer feedback on just how well it works has been truly great.

Kicker/Vang Upgrades: Customers are just loving the Allen XHL and the new Allen XHL middle blocks.  

Where to see Southeast Sailboats in 2024 / Away Dates

The 2024 calendar is almost finalised, and listed below are the upcoming events at which Southeast Sailboats will compete.  It's a great opportunity to come up and say hi and ask any rigging questions that you may have!  

• 28-30-June - Canadian Masters in Vancouver
• 6-7 July – Masters Q at WPNSA
• 12-16 August – UK Nationals at WPNSA
• 14-15 September – UK Q at Plas Heli
• 27-29 September – EuroMasters event at Hayling Island
• 5-11 October – Masters Europeans at Villamoura Spain – title defence!!
• 19-20 October – UK Q at WPNSA
• 26-27 October – Masters Q at Rutland
• 2-3 November – UK Inlands at Grafham Water
• December – Villamoura GP again?

Please note that during the longer events the 'Shop Closed' sign will be up on the website.  Please note that we will be closed from the 26 June - 2 July when we will be at the Canadian Masters.

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 7-10 days.  UPS typically 7-8 days

Austria  – 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

Hong Kong - typically 6-8 days. UPS 2-3 days

Hungary – 10 days

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

Italy – Please note that we have regrettably suspended deliveries to Italy

Japan – typically 7 days

Netherlands - typically 6-14 days

New Zealand - typically 10-14 days

Norway – typically 14 days

Poland – typically 6 days

Portugal – approx. 28 days 

Singapore – typically 7 days. UPS 2-3 days

Spain – Please note that we have regrettably suspended deliveries to Spain

Sweden – typically 4--14 days

UAE - UPS typically 2-3 days

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

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