I have just returned from my first extended sail (four days) with my news sails and I wanted to share with you how pleased I am with them.

Freedoms are not known as close-winded boats, but with my new Haarstick sails, there were times when we were able to sail 25-30 degrees off the apparent wind. (With my old sails, I always considered 60 degrees a victory.) I'm not a pro, but I believe that is pretty impressive for most boats.

I am also delighted with the performance of my Tides Marine sail track. I originally purchased it not to make raising the main easier, but to make dousing is easier in an emergency. I got to try that out yesterday when a thunderstorm suddenly increased winds from 4 to 25-30 mph. As soon as they increased, I turned into the wind and released the halyard; the main was down before I could ask my son to get a sail tie. I consider that the sail track has now paid for itself.

I sailed through the storm on engine power and with the jib up for balance (and because I wasn't sure it could be brought down safely.) The jib must have lost a few years off its life, but there was no obvious damage of any sort when we hosed it down and examined it later.

Thanks so much for joining us yesterday for the Buffalo Harbor Sailing Clubs "Ice Breaker Regatta". It was a terrific day on the water and your help and input was greatly appreciated. I was very happy to take a second place in my first regatta with Plumb Bob in the Beneteau 36.7 fleet. I thought the Haarstick Sails looked great and really performed well. They had excellent sail shape in both light and heavy conditions. I was amazed how far we were able to pull ahead of the other 36.7's after just a few miles of the course. Needless to say I'm very happy with Haarstick! Mike

Just wanted to let you know that last weekend we had the first chance to try out the new sails. The wind was light - around 5. We were able to win all three races over the weekend, some as horizon jobs. I think I've figured the sails out for light air and realize that pinching is not an option. Sailed full, they are very fast, still point high, and give a nice boost of power coming out of a tack. Now we must wait for better breezes to learn how to work them under those conditions.

I'm really pleased with the results and look forward to a successful racing season this summer.

The sails look awesome and seem to
be working very well. We love the new Heavy #1! It was great last week
with flat water, and this past Sunday was great even going straight into
the lump upwind on port tack. We used the #2 on the last race and although
it looks full we were sailing as high and fast as everyone else.

Thanks,
Eric

"Well what can I say; the full batten main & 130% genoa made by Haarstick are holing up great! 9 yrs old & they are almost like new! The main still has great shape, as does the genoa.
I am looking forward to ordering some new racing sails in the future & you are the guys I will call.

Regards,
Jon
Beneteau First 235
PANDORA

"Haarstick Sailmakers service was second to none. Sails were delivered when promised, a rarity in this business. Although we're still learning to use them most effectively in all conditions, we found them to be blazing fast, especially in light to moderate air. Haarstick's at-the-regatta help with rig tuning and sail shapes was a huge help to us. Our 3rd place finish at the Ensign regionals was a big and pleasant surprise."

Doug,

Once again, Thanks for replacing that batten for me. It's nice to have a local Sail Loft that cares about its' customers the way that Haarstick does. I look forward to doing more business with you.

Steve Bremner
S2 6.7 "misfit"

Haarstick On-The-Water Service

We are pleased to be able to provide our customers (and potential customers) with on the water service. Our service personnel are paid a flat rate for their service calls so you won’t be pressured into buying new sails.

The point of our service calls is to help you get the most out of your boat whether you are using Haarstick sails or not. We evaluate every aspect of your boat, from rigging to crew work and driving, and, of course, sail trim and adjustments, we are there to help.

Most importantly, please call if you have ANY CONCERNS with your new sails, so we can get out with you and take a look. There is nothing worse than an unhappy customer, and we want the opportunity to make sure you are 100% satisfied with our product. So don’t hesitate if you have any questions about your sails. Call now to set up an appointment: Ask for Doug at: 1-800-342-5033 (local 342-5200).

We have added a few new sailors to our service network to help serve all of Western NY and even the Annapolis area. Below is a list of our Service Personnel.

Doug Burtner – Sales and Service Manager – All of Western/Upstate/Central NY

Eric Christensen – Buffalo / Youngstown NY – Sales and Service

David Sliom – Annapolis area – Sales and Service

Larry Arnal – Oswego NY area / Toronto ON – Service

Reid Stava – Rochester NY area Service and J/24 Service

Please call Doug Burtner to set up a Service Call – 1-800-342-5033

Congratulations to Genesee YC Women for Taking Home the Challenge Cup

The Challenge Cup is a Weekend Regatta held at Sodus Bay Yacht Club every year. It is a “Challenge” between all area clubs who choose to participate. This year the competition consisted of boats from Rochester , Oswego , Genesee , Sodus Bay , and Pultneyville Yacht Clubs. The wind was between 25 and 30 knots on Saturday (a few puffs of 30+) and Sunday was light, with winds from 15-25.

There were ripped sails and damaged boats by the end of the weekend. Genesee Yacht Club had three boats participating and we are happy to say that all 3 of them were women skippers with 2 of the boats having all women crews. Genesee Yacht Club is member run club on the Genesee River in Rochester NY .

Nice work to the following skippers of these boats and the crews who took home the Challenge Cup:

“Destiny” – Jan Ziobrowski

“Bote Hook” – Elaine Carter

“Moondance” – Eileen Duggan

GYC does a great job with this event and is looking for everyone to get signed up ASAP. Kiki and Kris Werner took overall last year on the 40.7 “Silver Bullet”, I hope they return with all their 40.7 competitors this year. E-mail the following link for more info.

Save July 8-9, 2006 for the First All J Regatta. A unique opportunity for one design racing in J/22’s, J/24’s and other J classes. Haarstick is proud to be a part of this new regatta. I know they are looking to incorporate as many J classes as they can get. For more information follow this links below:

June 15 BHSC Double-Handed Race
June 16-18 GYC Scotch Bonnet Light Race
June 23-25 Toronto NOOD
June 24-25 BCC One Design Championship

June 24-25 Canadian Open at Buffalo CC
June 30, July 1-2 C&C Owners' Regatta, National YC

July 10 SSRC Monday Metro Race
July 8-9 Oswego J One Design Regatta
July 13 BHSC Single-Handed Race

July 15 Brockport Annual Regatta BYC
July 15-16 BHSC Club Regatta
July 20-23 Lake Ontario 30, OYS & PCYC
July 22-23 Eastern Great Lakes J/22 Regatta, Buffalo
July 27-29 Empire State Games in Lasers, RYC
July 28-29 Sail Oswego Regatta
July 29-30 YYC Level Regatta
July 30 Founder's Race, Oswego to Sodus Bay

Aug 1 Centennial Race, Rochester to Sodus Bay
Aug 2 Freeman Cup, Start and Finish at Sodus Bay

Aug 5 Hospice Charity Cup Regatta Henderson Harbor YC
Aug 4-6 LYRA Course Racing, SBYC

Aug 5-6 Briody Memorial Snipe Regatta at Newport YC
Aug 11-13 RYC Junior Olympics
Aug 12 Genesee YC Women's Invitational Regatta
Aug 12-13 LYRA Junior Regatta at RYC
Aug 12-13 Mayor's Cup/Queen City Regatta Buffalo
Aug 12-13 US Shark Championship, Dunkirk YC
Aug 11-13 Sonar North Americans at RYC

Aug 14-17 Ensign National’s EYC Cleveland
Aug 14 SSRC Monday Metro Race
Aug 19 Buffalo YC Great Race
Aug 19-20 RYC One Design Open Regatta, Mumm 30, 40.7, J/24
Aug 20 Buffalo MS Regatta
Aug 24 BHSC Double-Handed Race
Aug 26 Rochester Hospice Regatta at Genesee YC
Aug 27 Rochester Race at Rochester YC

Sept 1-4 Labour Day Regatta at Bronte Harbour Yacht Club ( Canada )
Sept 9 BHSC Last Chance Regatta
Sept 9-10 SSRC Fall Open Regatta
Sept 20-24 J/24 NA's Rochester YC
Sep 23-24 J/22 Northeast Championship, Lake George
Sep 30-Oct 1 Richardson Cup, Buffalo YC