Simon Lacey joins Doyle Sails New Zealand superyacht team

by Ellie Brade on 21 Oct 2015 Doyle Sails New Zealand has further bolstered its team with the appointment of Simon Lacey to its superyacht sales team. Having relocated from the UK, Lacey joins Matt Bridge, Superyacht Sail Co-ordinator, as part of the loft’s core superyacht team.

Simon Lacey:
A hugely experienced sailor and superyacht captain, Simon has skippered many of the industry’s most well known yachts including the J Class’ Endeavour and Velsheda and 37m Ghost. This experience as an end user has given him an invaluable understanding of the unique demands of superyacht sails. Having worked on construction projects including the major refit of Endeavour in New Zealand, Simon also has a strong understanding of the demands of sails from the perspective of both new build and refit commissions.

Prior to his work as captain Simon’s career included lengthy periods as a superyacht sail designer for both Doyle Sails UK and Hood Sails, with projects including wind tunnel testing and development of sail cloth technologies. His sailing CV includes many superyacht and J Class regattas as bowman, trimmer and helm, as well as maxi regattas as captain on Ghost and as bowman on the maxi Nirvana.

“Joining Doyle New Zealand continues a relationship that started in 1999 with the J class sail order for Velsheda,” says Lacey. “I am now looking forward to continuing this relationship as part of this forward thinking progressive team in New Zealand.”

“Our superyacht division continues to go from strength to strength and with Simon on board we are looking forward to continuing to develop our superyacht range and technologies,” says Chris McMaster, Managing Director of Doyle Sails New Zealand. The superyacht sector is one of key importance for Doyle Sails, with their proprietary Stratis range increasingly proving the sails of choice for both performance and cruising superyachts.

Stratis sails being laid in the Stratis plant:
Bridge and Lacey have recently returned from the 25th Monaco Yacht Show, where Doyle’s full superyacht range was on show, including the brand new Sail Art technology that was on display for the first time. Recent superyacht projects from Doyle NZ include a full set of Stratis sails for 46m Elfje and 40m Valquest, with sails underway for a 56m ketch in build at Royal Huisman and for 33.7m Hull 1012 at Yachting Developments.

Simon Lacey contact: simon.lacey@doylesails.co.nz

Websites: www.doylesails.co.nz and www.doylestratis.com


About Doyle Sails New Zealand

Leading the fleet in the design and manufacture of quality performance and cruising sails, it is no coincidence that Doyle sails are aboard many of the world's most spectacular yachts. Doyle Sails' :

reputation for impeccable attention to engineering detail and high quality construction, utilising the latest technologies, ensure high levels of performance and reliability.

Doyle Sails NZ is 100% New Zealand owned and operated by three of the most well-known names in yachting: Chris McMaster, Richard Bouzaid and Mike Sanderson. This team also owns the Stratis membrane technology that is manufactured in house and distributed throughout the world by the 65 Doyle Sailmaking facilities.

In addition to sailmaking Doyle Sails New Zealand also manufactures a full range of marine covers and upholstery for yachts and powerboats – from the largest superyacht to the harbour sailor.

About STRATIS

STRATIS™ was developed by Doyle Sails NZ in 2001-2002 in response to industry demand for lighter, longer lasting sails. From performance racing sails with higher durability, to superyacht sails that required the physical structure of high modulus fibres to take the huge loads that were generated, through to cruising yachts that simply wanted lighter sails that were easier to handle, it was time for something new

The STRATIS™ plant is based at the 7000sqm Doyle Sails NZ production facility. The factory has two production beds, with multiple fibre laying mahcines and laminators on each production bed, allowing a full range sails to be produced from the smallest dinghies to the largest superyachts.

Stratis is exclusively available through the Doyle global network of lofts.