Evolution Sailmakers by Latell & Ailsworth

09/14/2026

Some of our staff likes to stay quiet and behind the scene. Joel is one of those guys. He is our guy who builds dodgers, biminis and the rare tiller cover. He’s quiet but will surprise you with a funny comment out of the blue, so you have to watch out! We love having Joel on staff!!!!

For Joel to do your canvas, your boat has to be in Deltaville due to patterning.

09/09/2026

You may or may not have heard that Christopher Newport University reversed their decision on eliminating the varsity sailing team. Our very own Justin Ailsworth sailed for the CNU Captains in college and was the Captain of the sailing team while he was a student. At this point in time the CNU sailing kids really need donations for new boats and sails. The university did not include them on the donations list last year. Please read this write up by Justin and consider supporting these kids who are keeping our sport alive!

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CNU Sailing Returns by Justin Ailsworth

Sailing has shaped my life. It is the work I love and the world I know.

My connection to the sport deepened at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA where I captained the team and worked my first job out of college in Coach Dan Winters’ sail loft. That experience set me on the path many of you know me for today.

Earlier this year, CNU announced the end of its varsity sailing team. The sailing community refused to let that happen, and that outpouring of support helped bring the program back. The university’s current, limited commitment to varsity sailing extends through 2030.

Now the work begins to build the financial foundation that will sustain CNU Sailing for the long term.

A group of us, Kate Gomes, Doug Bendura, Taylor Gray, Mary Catherine Buhl McAllister, Anna Patterson, Maxwell Plarr, Nat Swanson, Spike Douglass, Mark Newman, and myself, founded the Christopher Newport Sailing Foundation to do just that. We want to make sure sailors who come after us have the same opportunity to compete, grow, and build lifelong connections to the sport.

Helping people with their sailing needs comes naturally to me and asking for your financial support is different. But this is a moment when the sailing community needs to step up. Your donation today helps provide the support CNU Sailing needs now while we build toward a sustainable future.

Please consider making a gift to the Christopher Newport Sailing Foundation today. Every gift helps strengthen a program that can shape new sailors, new teams, and new stories for generations to come.

https://christophernewportsailingalumni.com/

09/05/2026

The Stingray Point Regatta is in full swing! Yesterday Stephanie teamed up with Jake on Jake’s Erickson 35 “Resolute” for the distance race. They had 3 crew with them who are pretty new to racing and they had a lot of fun! Today and tomorrow are buoy race days and the big Havana Nights themed dinner with live music is this evening!

09/03/2026

In a sea of white, a pop of orange is fun on the floor!

08/31/2026

What are we getting ready for this week? We are getting ready for the Stingray Point Regatta at Fishing Bay Yacht Club!

This regatta has a Cuban theme this year. We will be at the Cuban feast and dancing to the live bands! Who knows, maybe we'll try a cigar. This is definitely a good one to check out if you have never done this one. Having a heavy cruising boat? PHRF has a cruising class race designation just for you!

Be sure to come to Fishing Bay's 32nd Annual Stingray Point Regatta 2026, September 4th through the 6th. Three days of exciting racing. The Friday race is a one mid-distance race for all registered boats. Then the Saturday and Sunday races, CBYRA sanctioned, will be run on a triangular course for th...

08/28/2026

Do you take your Evolution Sails for a full moon sail? Sail Nauticus did this week!

Want to go on a full moon sail? Check out the Sail Nauticus, located in Downtown Norfolk, VA! Sail Nauticus is one of our community sailing centers in Hampton Roads helping Title 1 children after school, adults and families get out on the water daily!

https://nauticus.irg/sail-nauticus/

08/27/2026

A beautiful morning for Jerry, Stephanie and Doug to work on a 88ft Ketch at Hampton Yacht Club. Both Doug and Stephanie liked having the Cafe style boom to sit in while working!

We work on big boats, small boats, any size and any type of boat!!!

08/24/2026

Schools have started and the last of the summer regattas are complete.

Kids on the Chesapeake went to the Opti New England Championships to finish out their summer and killed it! The top 10 spots had a whole lot of Chesapeake Bay sailors on the list. Our favorite kid sailor, Henry Latell, finished in the top spot! His 1st place after multiple days of sailing is a phenomenal way to end his time in the Opti boats. Next year he will be a bit too big and will move up to the next step, which is FJs/420 or Lasers, his pick. We all love Henry and look forward to watch his sailing as he grows!

Supporting all of the kid programs is really important. Every year the average age of sailing clubs or yacht club tends to get older. We need these kids to love our sport and be encouraged to stick with it. Sailing can be life long if they want it to be!

https://sail1design.com/2026-opti-new-england-championship-regatta-results-report/?utm_source=brevo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=S1D%20Airwaves%20News%20Jobs%20%20Marketplace__copy

08/21/2026

This is that time of year for events! What events? All kinds of events!!! Be sure to put these on your calendar so you do not miss anything!

We have the Stingray Point Regatta, Turkey Shoot Regatta, Annapolis Sailboat show, Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, Salty Dawg Caribbean Rally starting in Hampton, VA, Seven Seas Cruising Association GAM, Ocean Cruising Club Southern Chesapeake Bay Dinner, and of course we have the local cruising groups and race groups with events and destination cruises - there is something you can do just about every weekend! Click on the links below and explore the opportunities and sign up!

Once the cruisers leave for warmer winter climates we'll be talking about year-end award dinners, lighted boat parades and your winter service plans!

https://www.fbyc.net/news/fbyc-signature-event-stingray-regatta-fast-approaching/

https://sites.google.com/view/hospiceturkeyshootregattatta/home

https://www.annapolisboatshows.com/sailboat-show/

https://gcbsr.org/

https://sdsa.cloudfirstgroup.com/caribbean-rally/

https://ssca.org/content.aspx?sl=1035339484

https://www.oceancruisingclub.org/Events

https://broadbaysailing.org/Events-Summary

https://ccvracing.us/

https://www.hamptonyc.com/cruising

08/18/2026

This weekend we were a sponsor for the Cape Charles Cup regatta, run by the Broad Bay Sailing Association in Norfolk Virginia!

We love sponsoring this race because the Title 1 kids at Sail Nauticus benefit from funds raised in the silent auction. Each year Nauticus receives $5,000 to help these kids out with swimming lessons, PFDs, foul westher gear and STEM programing needs. These kids are middle school aged at risk kids who get to have a safe place to go after school to learn how to sail, swim, communication and team building skills.

Why else do we love sponsoring this race? Because it is a race for cruisers and racers so everyone can race to Cape Charles, go to a party and race back the next day - it is fun for ALL!

Stephanie volunteered on race committee and took a few pictures of our customers and friends,, the race committee and the fun!