Doyle Sails is proud to announce the expansion of its global network into the San Francisco Bay Area with Hogin Sails, based in Alameda, California. This partnership brings together Doyle’s world-leading sail design technology with the deep local expertise of owner Steve McCarthy, a respected sailmaker and competitive sailor with more than three decades of Sailmaking experience serving the Northern California sailing community.
Hogin Sails’ heritage dates back to 1978, when Bob Hogin founded the loft in Alameda, California. In 2004, McCarthy acquired the business, continuing its long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and service. Since 2019, the loft has operated from Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda.
“Joining the Doyle Sails family is a natural next step for us,” said Steve McCarthy, Owner of Doyle Sails San Francisco. “Doyle’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship mirrors everything we’ve built at Hogin Sails over more than two decades. Bay Area sailors will now have access to world-class sail design and technology, supported by the local service and personal attention they’ve always counted on.”
McCarthy’s career reflects a deep immersion in both sailmaking and sailing. He spent a decade refining his craft with Sobstad Sailmakers in Richmond, Santa Cruz Sails, and North Sails San Diego, where he served as Floor Manager overseeing production workflow and quality control. Since taking ownership of the Alameda loft, he has continuously modernized operations, investing in advanced in-house plotter and cutter technology to deliver faster turnaround times and consistently high-quality results.
A lifelong sailor, McCarthy began racing at age six on White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. His early years spanned Sunfish fleets, Snipe crews, and J/24 regattas, and by age 14 he was already helming the family boat in competition. Extended offshore cruising aboard a Swan 47 through the Caribbean, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean further shaped his seamanship. Today, he continues to race extensively in the Bay Area across one-design classes including Moore 24s, Express 27s, and a wide range of keelboats, bringing firsthand knowledge of local conditions to every sail produced.
Doyle Sails San Francisco will offer the full range of Doyle Sails products and services, including the brand’s proprietary Stratis™ technology, along with custom sail design solutions for both racing and cruising yachts. Existing Hogin Sails customers can expect the same hands-on, personalised service, now enhanced by Doyle Sails’ global design resources and support network.
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ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Doyle Sails strives to deliver success through high-performance, high-quality, custom sails that continue to redefine the boundaries of sailmaking technology and innovation; whilst connecting sailors to inspire, support and encourage sailing.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those with the same passion. Sailing is in our DNA, and we are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for four decades and counting.
By sailors, for sailors.