Welcome to the very first issue of The Hardware Handbook, Allen's new newsletter.
Here you'll find the latest updates on all things Allen. From our performance hardware, to exciting news from our world-class Team Allen athletes, we’ve got it covered.
In this inaugural issue, we reflect on the 2024 season—a year in which we proudly supported a diverse array of top-tier events, sailors, and classes, while introducing a range of performance sailing hardware to enhance their success.
Below you will find more information on:
- Hardware partnership with Sail Canada
- Mozzy Sails #EquippedWithAllen
- New Products
- V4.1 Catalogue
- Keelboat Refits
- Factory to Flotilla Fiesta
- Endeavour Trophy 2024
- Guide to Purchase Systems
- Fitting Guides
Hardware Partner to Sail Canada
At the start of the year, we renewed our contract with Sail Canada, solidifying our position as the hardware partner for the Canadian Sailing Team and Development Squad until at least 2025. Since the partnership began in 2022, we have proudly provided top-quality hardware from our Essex factory to enhance the performance of Sail Canada’s athletes in both training and competition.
The partnership paid dividends, with 49erFX sailors Antonia & Georgia Lewin-LaFrance recording the best ever Canadian performance at an Olympic Games.
Liz Adams, Allen Managing Director, expressed her enthusiasm about the renewal, stating, “We take great pride in supporting world-class athletes. Seeing several members of the Canadian Sailing Team complete full Allen fit-outs on their new boats shows the tangible benefits of our collaboration. We are eager to build on this success in the coming years.”
Our ongoing partnership with Allen ensures that our performance athletes have access to the best equipment possible, allowing them to focus more on training and less on repairs.
Mike Milner, High Performance Director at Sail Canada, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Our ongoing partnership with Allen Brothers ensures that our performance athletes have access to the best equipment possible, allowing them to focus more on training and less on repairs.”
Mozzy Sails #EquippedWithAllen
At Allen, we’re proud to be closely connected with Tom "Mozzy" Morris, one of the most accomplished amateur sailors in the UK. Tom’s success on the water is well-known, with his recent victory in both the Europe and RS800 UK National Championships.
As part of our partnership, Tom relies on our hardware to give him the performance edge he needs. His Europe and RS800 are fully rigged with Allen gear, from mainsheet systems to control lines. This level of trust in our products is a point of pride for us because Tom’s performance shows that the right equipment really can make a difference.
Beyond racing, Tom plays a key role in showing the world what Allen hardware can do. As a technical sailing analyst on his "Mozzy Sails" YouTube channel, he breaks down some of the most cutting-edge boats, such as those in the America’s Cup, while highlighting the importance of quality fittings like ours. His insightful content has built a loyal audience and further strengthens his role as an ambassador for our brand.
Working with Tom gives us the opportunity to see our products tested at the highest level and to demonstrate to sailors around the world why they can count on Allen for their performance needs.
We’re excited to announce that Tom "Mozzy" Morris will be showcasing his Europe-class dinghy at our stand during the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in February 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet Tom, hear his insights, and see his race-winning boat fully rigged with Allen hardware. Be sure to stop by, meet the rest of the Allen team, and explore how our performance products are helping sailors like Mozzy reach new heights.
Get 10% off RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show tickets with our unique code - RYAEX25028
Pro-Ratchet 40
In September we introduced the Pro-Ratchet 40, the latest evolution in our high-performance ratchet block range. This new 40mm ratchet block features an aluminium sheave that delivers unmatched grip and control, making it perfect for sailors looking to fine-tune their sheets with precision.
The aluminium sheave has been designed to give superior hold, allowing you to maintain control even in gusty conditions—whether you’re trimming a spinnaker or adjusting a jib. The lightweight, anodised aluminium construction ensures strength without added bulk, offering long-lasting durability that can handle tough sailing environments.
New Big Boat Pad-Tii
The Big Boat Pad-Tii has been designed specifically for larger keelboats. This new deck fitting offers a secure, adaptable, and low-profile solution to suit the larger rope and working loads you’ve been waiting for.
We focused on creating a fitting that balances high performance with simplicity, making rigging flexible and maintenance straightforward. The Pad-Tii’s durable, streamlined design integrates seamlessly with your boat’s deck, making it a super useful attachment point for any soft attachment hardware.
High-Performance Swivel Cleat
The high-performance swivel cleat is designed to meet the high-performance demands of Skiffs.
This cleat features our innovative 360-degree ball-bearing base, allowing the arm to rotate frictionlessly so you can secure and release lines effortlessly from any angle.
The new base design also eliminates any wobble on the cleat arm, ensuring the cleat remains exactly at the same height time after time. Resulting in a more precise and effortless cleating action. Vital for those big bearaways at high speeds!
Tii-Bone
The Tii-Bone range has been developed to streamline the rigging of halyards, sheets and control lines. Its unique, non-slip design is perfect for various rigging tasks, whether you’re lashing, tensioning, or securing lines and blocks. We’ve made it easy to use, so whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to the sport, you’ll find it a valuable addition to your rigging toolkit.
Coming Soon!
Track and Car Range
At METSTRADE in November, we proudly unveiled our new Size 14 and Size 19 track and car ranges. Building on the existing Mini and Maxi profiles, however, these new designs represent a significant evolution in functionality and performance.
The updated ranges feature a streamlined and improved base car for both sizes, designed for versatility and adaptability with blocks and P-clips to suit various control systems. The Size 14 and Size 19 ranges also include machined end stops with beckets, becket and cheek blocks, and pin stop cars tailored for genoa systems.
Detailed information will be available soon via our website’s news section. In the meantime, viewers can get an exclusive first look at the new ranges in the video below.
V4.1 Catalogue Update
The latest update to our product catalogue, version 4.1, was released at the start of the northern hemisphere sailing season. This edition features a wide range of new products, more detailed and accurate information, and a streamlined navigation system, making it easier than ever for customers to explore our offerings.
One of the standout additions in V4.1 is the full list of Aluminium Yacht (AY) Fittings, located at the back of the catalogue. This new range was designed to meet the demanding needs of yacht owners and sailors, providing high-quality, durable fittings made from lightweight aluminium.
Keelboat Refits
While many sailors typically associate Allen products with dinghies, our hardware is remarkably versatile and significantly enhances the performance of various keelboats.
At the start of the summer we undertook several refits in-house on a Cape31 and Hunter 707's. The owners wanted to maximise upgrades and reduce friction across systems onboard.
Among the upgrades on the Cape31 was the installation of the A9060 – 60mm High Roller. The customer liked this block so much that they ordered a custom set in a unique colour to match the stunning paint job of the 2023 European circuit-winning Cape31 Shotgunn. This attention to detail not only improved the aesthetics but also contributed to the boat's overall performance.
A complete refit package for a fleet of five Hunter 707's included our innovative Vang King boom struts to further enhance their sailing capabilities.
By choosing Allen hardware, sailors can trust they are investing in high-quality solutions that elevate their sailing experience, regardless of whether they're on a dinghy or a keelboat.
Allen Factory to Flotilla Fiesta
On the 26th of June, we hosted the Allen Factory to Flotilla Fiesta giving our customers an inside look at our manufacturing facility and a sailing experience on the River Crouch.
The day began with a tour of our factory in Essex, where guests saw our top-of-the-line hardware being produced. They visited our design department and observed our advanced testing equipment in action, ensuring all our products meet the highest standards. One highlight was the demonstration of our 80-tonne press, used to crop stainless steel strips, and a showcase of our CNC lathe operators’ skills, producing brass cufflinks as special souvenirs.
After the tour, we enjoyed a friendly afternoon of racing on the River Crouch in the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club's fleet of five Hunter 707s. All fully equipped with Allen. With perfect weather, our guests experienced first-hand the performance and reliability of our products during a series of exciting races.
If you’re interested in joining our next Allen Factory to Flotilla Fiesta, please get in touch with us to register your interest.
Endeavour Trophy 2024
Champion of Champions Event.
The Endeavour Trophy is a prestigious sailing event held annually by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, UK. It is an invitational championship that brings together the national champions from different dinghy classes across the UK to compete in a one-design fleet race, typically sailed in RS200 dinghies.
The event is designed to determine the "Champion of Champions," the trophy was first awarded in 1961, and over the years, it has gained a reputation for being a key event in the UK sailing calendar.
Allen has long been a dedicated supporter of the Endeavour Trophy. The late Kim Allen served as the race officer for many years, embodying the spirit of the event. Over the 63 editions of this prestigious regatta, the Allen tool room has devoted countless hours to engraving and repairing the coveted trophy, ensuring that it remains a symbol of excellence and achievement in the sailing community.
Check out the highlight videos below.
Guide to Purchase Systems and Mechanical Advantage
In May, we published a blog post offering guidance on purchase systems and mechanical advantage, which received an overwhelmingly positive response. Many end users have since used this information to plan and optimise new systems for their boats.
Here’s a quick introduction, but for the full details, click the button below!
Simple Purchase Systems
Let’s start with the basics – the “direct” approach. In a simple “direct” purchase system, there’s just one block, one line (rope), and one straightforward mission: to control the load. It’s a 1:1 ratio, meaning the force you exert is the force felt by the load. Perfect for tasks like raising the centreboard on a dinghy or adjusting basic sail tension. Simple, effective, and great for when you need no-nonsense control.
When using a 1:1 purchase system the length of line that is pulled will result in a direct amount of movement on the load. For example, if you pull the line 10cm, the load will move 10cm.
The following diagram is a good example of a direct spinnaker or jib sheet system found on many dinghies and small keelboats. The weight represents the load from the jib or spinnaker.
Fitting Guides
Throughout 2024, we’ve spent countless hours crawling over boats, rain or shine, all in the name of creating reliable and detailed fitting guides!
We even sent Ben to Lake Garda to catch up with the Team Allen 18ft Skiff teams at their European Championships. Naturally, he couldn’t resist going for a ride to ensure all the Allen hardware was performing flawlessly. Check out the highlights below!
Our goal is to make your life easier when it comes to selecting the right fitting for the job. This year, we’ve expanded our collection of fitting guides to include the 18ft Skiff, Snipe, Hunter 707, Cape 31, Europe, Topper, and RS800 classes.
Explore the full range of guides via the link below and find the perfect hardware solution for your needs!
Thank you for reading the first issue of The Hardware Handbook! We hope you’ve enjoyed exploring our latest updates, product launches, and insights from the world of performance sailing hardware.
At Allen, innovation and quality are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited to share our journey with you. Stay tuned for future editions, where we’ll continue to bring you more news, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from our team and sponsored sailors.
If you have any feedback or topics you’d like to see covered in upcoming issues, we’d love to hear from you. Until then, happy sailing!
The Allen Brothers Team
sales@allenbrothers.co.uk | +44 (0) 1621 774689