Ullman Sails
ActiveOverview
Ullman Sails is a sailmaking company specializing in custom sail design, manufacturing, and repair for racing and cruising yachts, dinghies, and Olympic-class boats. It operates a global network of over 75 lofts across 25 countries, originating from its Newport Beach base in Southern California. The company is known for blending craftsmanship with technical design through collaboration among sailmakers, designers, and competitive sailors.123
History
Ullman Sails was founded by Dave Ullman, a competitive sailor, in Newport Beach, California, with founding dates cited as 1964, 1967, or 1968 across sources. The Newport Beach loft, established there since the late 1960s, relocated from the Newport Beach Peninsula to Santa Ana while remaining the largest in Southern California. It expanded into a worldwide system of 75 locations in 25 countries, focusing on custom sails for diverse vessels from one-design dinghies to large racing yachts.1234
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| One-Design Dinghy Sails | Custom sails for competitive dinghy racing | $1,500 - $5,000 |
| Olympic Class Sails | High-performance sails for Olympic boats | $3,000 - $8,000 |
| Racing Yacht Sails | Sails for large racing yachts | $5,000 - $20,000 |
| Cruising Sails | Durable sails for coastal and world cruisers | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Sail Repair Services | Repair and maintenance for all sail types | $200 - $2,000 |
Manufacturing
Sails are manufactured in over 75 lofts worldwide across 25 countries, including key facilities in Newport Beach (Santa Ana), California, and Cape Town, South Africa. Production emphasizes in-house design, cutting, and making by skilled sailmakers rather than order fulfillment. The global network enables localized manufacturing with shared expertise.123
Notable Products
- Custom Racing Sails - Tailored mainsails and headsails for Olympic and one-design classes.
- Grand Prix Yacht Sails - High-performance sails for large racing yachts.
- Cruising Mainsails - Durable, custom sails for coastal and ocean cruisers.
- Dinghy Sails - Precision sails for competitive one-design dinghies.
Reputation
Ullman Sails is regarded by sailors for its longstanding craftsmanship in sail design and construction, with the Newport Beach loft noted as the largest in Southern California offering comprehensive services from manufacturing to rigging. Professionals value the hands-on expertise of loft staff and global reach for consistent quality. Some sources highlight over 50 years of service at competitive prices, though specific criticisms are not detailed in available data.124