Tauranga New Zealand
Loft Info
39 Levers Road
Matua, Tauranga
64 07 576 2826
Specialties
Certified Service, New Sails, Sail Inspection / Evaluation, Sail Measurement, Sail Repair, Sail Washing
Contact
Local News
You can imagine the future or you can be a part of it. Lowell North decided to be a part of it-- and lead it. When he started North Sails, Lowell North’s philosophy was simple...get …
With the help of smarttune load sensors from Cyclops Marine, North Sails One Design Expert, and J/70 World Champion Charlie Cumbley explains how the dynamic balance of upwind performance hinges on forestay load. Click here to …
The MOD70 Trimaran PowerPlay, led by Peter Cunningham and skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, has set a new Fastnet record. The team completed the original Fastnet course of 595 nautical miles in a new world Fastnet …
As the South Pacific’s longest-running superyacht regatta, the Millennium Cup saw five superyachts and a selection of North Sails experts race in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Occasionally joined by the lively local dolphin …
After taking home the Paper Tiger National Championship title in 2019, North Sails New Zealand One Design expert Derek Scott has done it again in 2021. Racing with the S-5 sail, Derek’s boat setup is …
When it comes to downwind sails, there are a dizzying array of choices for today’s sailor. There are even two types of spinnaker: asymmetric and symmetric. So how do you decide what would be right …
The J/70 class attracts sailors who demand the best, and North Sails continues to upgrade and improve an already successful inventory. New for 2021 are two designs added to the North class line-up; the XCS-4 …
Catch your local teams live with our upcoming interactive webinar schedule. North Sails Class Experts from around the world have joined forces to bring you the best tips and techniques that will help you get …
BOISW is the biggest regatta of its kind in New Zealand, and with over 100 boats registered, this year looks to be no different. Get your team race-ready with our tips and tricks to guide …
BOISW is shaping up to be the main event with over 100 yachts registered! Divided into many different classes, sailing week looks to be a fun and competitive regatta for sailors of all kinds. Racing Performance …
Ask a sail designer what they saw during the America’s Cup World Series, and you won’t be surprised by their answer - sails of course! JB Braun, our Director of Design and Engineering, is a …
Racing for the 36th America’s Cup with four days of match racing during the PRADA America’s Cup World Series Auckland, New Zealand (Dec 17th- 19th) and the PRADA Christmas Race (Dec 20th). It will be the …
Last week we announced the launch of our new Performance range of foul weather gear that will be available in Spring 2021. Each week, until launch, we’ll unpack how our team conceived the range, the …
North Sails One Design clients have started the season off with a bang after winning both the Etchells and Young 88 New Zealand Nationals last month. Hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland, …
North Sails expert and Auckland native Bianca Cook has logged plenty of ocean miles as part of delivery crews and on the last Volvo Ocean Race with Turn the Tide on Plastic. Now she’s taken …
Time is closing in on the 36th America’s Cup which commences in Auckland on the 6th of March 2021, and with the recent launch of Emirates Team New Zealand’s (ETNZ) second boat, competition is heating …
The 119 mile PIC Coastal Classic is an event many New Zealanders look forward to each year. With a start off Devonport Wharf and a finish at Russell Wharf, the course includes several memorable landmarks. …
North Sails Expert Tom Davis is particular about sail storage. He’s shared his best tips below to ensure your sails remain in top shape for next season. Given how strange 2020 has been in many respects, …
It wasn’t flashy imagery or action sports videos that got Steve Calder, North Sails designer, interested in kiting. His love for the sport began when his son decided he wasn’t interested in sailing optis while …
Local sailors and longtime friends David Wyeth and Vaughan Hunt rehab racing boats as a hobby. The pair spend a lot of time together, participating in weeknight sailing around Auckland and an occasional doublehanded race …
Pros at the top of the fleet share how the North 9DSX Moth sail takes them through the range of conditions and their personal tuning tips. Shop Moth Sails
North Sails filled the top podium at the New Zealand Elliott 5.9 Nationals last weekend. All three teams used 3Di OCEAN 330 mainsails and jibs. This was one of the closest finishes the class has seen …
Making a name for himself in the fiercely competitive Optimist fleet is 14-year-old British sailor Santiago Sesto-Cosby. Having sailed the Optimist for an astounding 10 years, we were eager to find out about his journey …
North Sails were lucky to have the two doublehanded experts Armel Le Cléac’h & Clarisse Crémer host a webinar for an in-depth masterclass. Best known as a singlehanded sailor with notable race wins in the Solitaire …
We don’t hear much about sail recutting and alterations, although it is still a big part of the sailmaking world. Because sail fabrics have improved dramatically over the years with sail shape holding and chafe-free …
November 8th, the next edition of the Vendée Globe race is set to start from Les Sables d'Olonne, North Sails has designed the sails for the ¾ of the IMOCA fleet, 17 of which have …
Steering off the wind, on reaches and runs, requires a coordinated effort between helmsman and spinnaker trimmer. The spinnaker trimmer often has as good a feel for performance as you do while driving, and together …
The most important element of upwind boathandling is tacking, though every once in awhile an efficient reef or genoa change could also win you a race. Tacking seems like a minor thing, but the difference …
Local NZL sailor Paul Groom got into Stewart 34 racing 10 years ago and has been racing his second boat Psyche since 2016, making a name for himself as a regular at the top end …
A: Having higher loads is the biggest issue. Because the boat does not heel and release the load, when the pressure hits it means every aspect of the sails and rigging must be up-specked for …
In 2018, Mr. Enrico Bonatti purchased Kinina, a Swan 78. Why a Swan 78? “I prefer the best quality,” he said. “And the 78 is the right size for me.” Mr. Bonatti then met with …
Doublehanded sailing has gained momentum globally, as the gateway to getting back out on the water while remaining socially distant. It is also the latest event added to Paris 2024, so now is the time …
Owner and co-skipper, Catherine Pourre and co-skipper Pietro Luciani are the winning duo onboard Class40 Eärendil. Together, the pair are the reigning Class40 World Champions, have twice won the RORC Caribbean 600, The Atlantic Cup, …
With nearly 20-thousand miles under his belt, Sam Fitzgerald is no stranger to the challenges of going offshore, especially with only two sets of hands onboard. A naval architect and seasoned Class40 racer, with accolades …
In 2016, Ken and Liisa Bacco set sail from Newport, Rhode Island on December 1st during a snow storm onboard their Oyster 47.5 cutter rig, Altair, to meet up with the Oyster World Rally (OWR) …
A few months ago, North Materials Expert Tom Davis wrote an article titled “What are the Best Sails for Club Racing”. It only seems logical to have a companion piece to that, but with a …
The ClubSwan 36, which made its debut in May 2019, is seeing significant signs of growth. Despite a delay in sailing in 2020, the North Sails team has spent the first half of this year …
Southern Spars, a North Technology Group company, is proud to announce they have joined forces with Magma Structures to deliver a new generation of DynaRigs. The DynaRig concept has proven itself as an effective alternative …
While most of us are sweating it out during the summer months, local sailors in New Zealand are gearing up for coastal racing later this season with the RNZYS Winter Series. Nigel Hendy and his super …
A: 3Di OCEAN is the newest line of 3Di sails from North Sails, designed and engineered exclusively for cruising. A: 3Di OCEAN is for you if you are looking for a premium cruising product, providing high …
After an exhaustive research and development program, North Sails is thrilled to launch 3Di OCEAN 370, our latest innovative sail product that completes a line-up of 3D molded sails dedicated to cruising. This new product is …
You know when it feels right. It’s that moment when you could almost let go of the wheel and the boat could steer itself. A boat in perfect balance. Racing sailors will go to extraordinary …
North Sails announces an exciting new partnership with leading sailing rally organizers World Cruising Club. The aim of the partnership is to inspire sailors around the world to embark on a cruising adventure, using North …
It’s still a complicated time in many places around the world, and a huge thank you to our entire North Sails team, clients, and friends who have pulled together in a way that is quite …
Fast and fun off-wind sailing is what multihulls are all about. High speed, high stability and close wind angles require unique sail choices. Cruising multihulls in particular benefit from specialized sails that are versatile and …
Fill your social feeds with all things sailing. Each day North Sails is curating our social media channels with content that showcases our passion for being on the water. We're collecting images that inspire us …
Lightweight, reliable, unique. North 3Di sails are engineered to minimum weight and maximum performance. By eliminating the use of mylar, 3Di will not delaminate. Each 3Di sail is precisely shaped on full-sized molds and built …
No matter where you are in the world, you can prepare for your next event or be ready for when sailing season picks up again by knowing what to look for when it comes to …
Optimist class experts Andrew Wills and Derek Scott talk all things Optimist with special guest Chris Steele who won the Worlds in 2007 with Wills as a coach. This session covers planning, daily routine, race …
Join Moth World Champion Tom Slingsby and North Sails class leader Rob Greenhalgh live on Wednesday, April 8th for the third session of Let’s Talk Moth. These two world-renowned sailors will take us through the …
North Sails President Ken Read checked in to give us an update on what’s going on at North Sails this week. Ken, like all of us, is working from his makeshift home office in Rhode …
Do you race, cruise or do both? North Sails offers a broad range of sail materials to meet a wide variety of needs. This can make navigating sail material choices daunting. Depending on whether you …
Our experts have created a variety of articles to help you gain confidence for your next getaway. Topics include battens, weather, safety, durability of cruising sails, and more. Whether you are leaving land behind or …
Hardcore ocean racers and coastal cruisers alike should all make safety at sea a priority. Practices from racing around the world, including the toughest conditions of the Southern Ocean, can apply to sailors of all …
Libby Greenhalgh has navigated around the world twice with the Volvo Ocean Race; she's a director with the Magenta Project and has an offshore resume that ranks her among the top sailors in the world. …
After nine exhilarating races on Sydney Harbour, Honda Marine took the prestigious JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship title for the third year running. An equivalent regatta to a World Championship, the crew combination of Matt Steven …
There are many ways you can help prolong the life of your sails. Here are some pointers to keep you aligned with our sail care maintenance practices, which can be part of your regular routine …
What happens if you furl your sail the wrong way? - with the sun cover on the inside instead of the outside of the furl? Unfortunately, we see the effects of this in our service …
The North Sails teams around the world have received a bunch of calls and emails recently. A quick Q+A has been put together to help provide you with information on where we are at during …
Thinking about battens? Preparing for a new season is something that is on everyone’s mind. Whether you’re staging your boat to launch, planning an extended cruise, or hoisting your sails for a weeknight club race, …
After dropping just one bullet in 11 competitive races, nothing stood between Mason Mulcahy and Andre Van Dam’s top spot at the 420 New Zealand Nationals. Held on Evans Bay in Wellington Harbour, four days …
Cruising sailors demand durability. Yet, durability is not an easily quantified element of sail performance. Predicting durability is a tough challenge, because sails are subjected to so many different forms of use and conditions. That …
Bay of Islands Sailing Week may be the biggest regatta of its kind in country, but anyone who’s competed there know it’s not just about the racing. This year the regatta attracted the largest fleet …
The S-5 Mainsail proved its power at the Paper Tiger New Zealand National Championships as the new design claimed eight of the top 10 positions. Winning the regatta with eight top-five finishes, veteran sailor Mark …
SHOP SAILS REQUEST A QUOTE For some sailors, “club racing” means a casual jib-and-main evening race aboard a well-stocked cruising boat carrying roller furlers and its anchor and chain in the bow. For others, it means …
People with sailboats use them in many ways, but broadly speaking we define them as either cruising or racing. Cruising might be an hour-long daysail, with only one sail hoisted, or it might last a …
The 2020 Millenium Cup had an outstanding showing of North clients. Client entries included Sassafras, 34.2 m Royal Huisman-built sloop. Silvertip, which was built in New Zealand by Yachting Developments, 54.6m classic-lined Adele, new entry …
The basic rig dimension for a yacht are generally understood. However, there are some differences in how some sailors describe these dimensions. Here is how we define them at North Sails. I – Height of Foretriangle Elevation …
BOISW is shaping up to be the main event with over 130 boats registered! Divided into many classes, it looks to be a fun and competitive regatta for sailors of all kinds. Get your team …
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is just around the corner, and your North Sails team of experts will be onsite and ready to help you with all of your sail care needs. North Sails is …
One of the biggest attractions for first-timers and Sailing Week regulars alike is the weather and wind conditions enjoyed in the Bay of Islands. Bay local Chris Hornell, skipper of TP52 Kia Kaha, says the …
North Sail experts Rob Greenhalgh and Dick Parker were onboard Matt Allen’s TP52 Ichi Ban, the 2019 Sydney Hobart overall winner. Here’s what they had to say about the importance of preparation and choosing the …
North Sails New Zealand is helping to develop new foiling monohulls for the Youth America’s Cup, which begins in November 2020 and ends in March 2021, just ahead of the main event. The 9-metre boats are …
The summer season is shaping up well for young P Class sailor Tim. Fourteen-year-old Tim, who is in his third season in the class, has been using a new F1 sail from North Sails Auckland’s …
While the onset of summer has many sailors’ minds turning to cruising, two lucky North Sails customers have also had a winter of pleasure on the water, exploring the Pacific Islands. Mark Clough of Auckland headed …
North Sails was the sponsor of the new Sportsmanship Award, which sales and marketing manager Andrew Wills said was just as important as recognising those sailors who have had big wins this year. "We were proud …
When North Sails announced four new 3Di Moth sail designs six months ago, class leader Rob Greenhalgh said “I am confident Moth sailors will reap the rewards on the race course.” This week, Tom Slingsby …
This article was first published by INEOS TEAM UK, November 2019 Sails have taken a change in direction for the next edition of the America's Cup and with it comes the return of more traditional sailmaking. …
Head sailmaker Casey Bellingham, who specialises in upwind sails, says the loft has been busy making race sails for the northern hemisphere TP 52 Super Series, which has seen an intense season of racing in …
Representatives from North Sails New Zealand were in the crowd watching the race boat, christened Te Aihe or 'Dolphin', hit the water on a rainy Friday morning at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. "It was an amazing thing …
With the change to 3Di Raw 330 sails in the Elliott 5.9 class, we were eager to talk to the current New Zealand National Champion, Craig Satterthwaite about how his team achieved multiple victories using …
By Ivor Wilkins, first published in the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron magazine, Breeze On the eve of Emirates Team New Zealand's new AC75 launch, the waterfront was buzzing with speculation about how these boats would perform. …
20 amateur teams representing 14 countries qualified to compete for a week of racing at the 2019 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. In its sixth edition, the event is host to teams from …
The defense of the next America’s Cup began the day Emirates Team New Zealand won the final race in Bermuda, and the team just passed a huge milestone with the launch of their new AC75. …
The secret is out... the new and competitive North Sails Stealth S5 Mainsail can now been revealed having already been successful for top Paper Tiger sailors, Derek Scott and Hayden Percy. The sail helped Scott, …
Skipper Dave McDiarmid, Brad Collins and North Sails expert Matt Steven won the prestigious event with a race to spare, showing the highly competitive Australians that their win in 2018 - the first victory by …
The title was taken out on line by defending champion Raging Hormones, this year skippered by North Sails sales and marketing manager Andrew Wills, with a crack crew including Will Tiller, Alastair Gair, Taylor Balogh, …
From Moths to Maxis to Multihulls, this pro sailor can make any sailboat go a little faster. While Rob Greenhalgh didn’t officially join North Sails until 2018, he says the company was the first sailmaker he …
The year 2019 will be a historic one for the America’s Cup, the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport, and the North Technology Group, with a particular focus on North Sails, Southern Spars …
Dan Slater was an Olympian in the 49er and Finn classes for New Zealand when in 2015 he began sailing the OK Dinghy, which he describes as a “smaller, hard-chine version of a Finn Dinghy.” …
North Sails is excited to announce the addition of Bianca Cook to its sales force. Based out of New Zealand, the talented sailor will focus on the local New Zealand market. She is a key …
Following a long career in sailing spanning two Olympic Games, numerous America’s Cup cycles and everything in between, native Kiwi Tom Dodson has rejoined North Sails as a Sales Expert with a particular focus on …
Not everyone gets to touch the America’s Cup — but the lucky team at North Sails’ Auckland loft recently had the privilege, where the historic trophy came and paid a visit. A group from Emirates Team …
This year’s Millennium Cup superyacht regatta was just a taste of what is to come in the next few years, as momentum builds towards the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland. Five yachts, including stalwarts Tawera and …
A total of 116 yachts entered this year, up from just over 100 in 2018, and an extra Island Racing division had to be created to accommodate all the entries. The biggest winner of the regatta …
A strong fleet of forty-six Paper Tigers battled for the 2019 New Zealand National title on the waters of Evans Bay. North Sails expert Derek Scott dominated the regatta with five bullets in the 8-race …
In March 2018, David McDiarmid, North Sails Expert Matt Steven, and Bradley Collins (NZL) claimed the most desired prize in the 18-footer class, the JJ Giltinan Trophy. It was the first time in 45 years …
When it comes to the Coastal Classic, New Zealand’s most iconic race, the North Sails team have done it - and won it. With more than 100 Coastal Races between them, we asked the sales …
Development of 3Di began ten years ago and has continued at a rapid and accelerating pace ever since. 3Di is the sum of multiple technologies exclusive to North Sails, making it the ideal platform for …
Even having to eat a ‘hundred-year egg’ didn’t dim the excitement of winning his first world championship for North Sails sales expert Matt Kelway. Eating these traditional ‘delicacies’ is a tradition aboard Hong Kong businessman …
The team aboard the Botin Fast 40, launched in February this year, won every race on IRC to take out their division — while making the most of the entertainment and onshore activities on offer …
Eighty-five teams competed on the North Sea in the first-ever IRC/ORC Offshore World Championship in The Hague. Yachts ranging between nine to 20 meters battled for podium space across three classes in this highly competitive …
After three prior attempts, Matt Steven and his crew onboard Honda Racing accomplished their ultimate goal of winning the JJ Giltinan World Championship in Sydney representing Royal Akarana Yacht Club and the Auckland Skiff League. Matt, …
North Sails Certified Service offers sailors with any brand of sail the benefits of North's superior technology, experienced personnel and worldwide network of over 100 lofts in 25 countries. Every sail serviced by North undergoes a …
The North Sails S-4 Stealth Paper Tiger Mainsail has dominated almost every event in the Paper Tiger Grand Prix Regattas in the 2017/2018 season in New Zealand. The wins also branched out to the recent …
The beginning of 2018 marks a milestone for North Sails as the company completes a 10-year transformation from 3DL string laminates to 3Di molded composite sail structures. North Sails was at the forefront of the …
Clients reflect on their 628 nm race to Hobart from Sydney Australia in one of the most grueling yacht races in the world. Here's what they had to say about the race, their crew, and …
The North Sails Group is pleased to announce that North Sails Brisbane will become the latest loft to join the company. Founded in 1993 as Bradford Prentice, the loft set up by Mark Bradford and …
NEWPORT, January 17th 2018: North Sails 3Di NORDAC is already recognized as game changing cruising technology and has claimed yet another coveted prize. The revolutionary polyester sail, designed for small to medium sized cruising boats, …
Months of preparation and weeks of anticipation culminated on Boxing Day for 102 yachts racing in the 2017 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. With wind speeds of 25-50 knots, sailors have to mentally prepare for …
The forecast at the start of the 73rd Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was cloudy with a chance of rain and potential to break race records. This Boxing Day tradition in Sydney drew a spectator …
Andrew and Pauline Dally’s Khaleesi had a busy 2016, posting three second places before sadly breaking their mast during the Brisbane to Keppel Island Race. Since then, the team has notched up only one victory …
The Sydney - Hobart is a bit different to preparing for any other event, just due to the type of weather that boats will see in the race. So a big part of it for …
The SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour is always a spectacular preview to the Rolex Sydney - Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR) . Are you surprised that Black Jack took the win over Wild Oats? It …
The Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race is one of the classic yachting events on the annual race calendar, arguably the most famous and difficult race taking place in the Southern Hemisphere. Its reputation is well deserved, giving …
Derek Scott of North Sails One Design says all three sailors are have been using North sails, which are available in several different cuts. The next big event for the highly competitive Optimist fleet is the …
North Sails is renowned as the world’s top sailmaker, and has supplied every sail to the America’s Cup for the past 20 years. North has been the exclusive sail supplier for the Volvo Ocean Race …
Guillaud trained as a mechanical design engineer but always wanted to work in the marine industry. He originally came to Auckland to improve his English and gain experience after finishing his science degree and engineering …
The headline battle this year was between giant trimarans Frank Racing and Beau Geste, recently arrived in New Zealand from Hawaii. Simon Hull’s ORMA60 Frank usually has the front of the field pretty much to …
Now is a great time to start your Apprenticeship and Sailmaking career. The Volvo Ocean Race yachts are due in Auckland Late Feb until 18th March 2018. With the 36th Edition of the Americas Cup …
Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush competed in the Optimist Worlds held in Thailand and performed with some Outstanding results and great experience it was for them. Joshua Hyde competed in the European Optimist Championships held …
The Westhaven sales office will definitely be a quieter place with the departure of Josh Tucker, who has taken a leave of absence to sail around the world with his family. Josh remains a part …
The refurbished 30-metre racer, originally launched as Alfa Romeo in 2005, finished just three minutes behind its near-identical rival, Wild Oats XI, despite only going back in the water a week before the race, and …
Whitburn, who took a month’s leave from his role at the Westhaven office, was in Bermuda at the invitation of Sir Russell Coutts, working with the young sailors of Sir Russell’s America’s Cup Endeavour programme …
The Optimist nationals were held at Easter, at the Napier Sailing Club, but now the top competitors are preparing for a range of international competitions to be held over the coming months. North Sails One …
Matt was brought up on boats, cruising with his family. He spent several years as mainsheet trimmer and tactician on the World Match Racing Tour and the Extreme Sailing Series, and was in the crew …