With nearly 28 years of experience, a reputation for attention to detail and impeccable project management skills, it’s easy to see how Paul Tingle is regarded as one of the world’s most sought after sailmakers. Having worked with some of the most high profile sailing campaigns, Paul recently joined the Doyle Sails group and will lead the project management and sailmaking team in Newport, Rhode Island.
Doyle Sails: Where did you learn to become a sailmaker?
Paul: I started in New Zealand in 1994, and did my apprenticeship with Sobstad before moving to North Sails. Moose (Mike Sanderson) was there at the time, and I ended up running the downwind and One Design departments. In 1998, I headed to Europe and worked with Superyachts. From there it has been a mix of pro sailing and sailmaking until 2016 (with a Volvo Ocean Race thrown in 2005-06 for good measure) before joining Quantum in 2016 where I looked after all of the Grand Prix sails built from Newport.
Doyle Sails: You’ve worked with some of the best sailing teams in the world. What do you offer to a high-performance campaign?
Paul: I love being able to work between the boat, designers and sailmakers to ensure that the guys on the water get exactly what they want, the first time. The ability to fix any issues and offer solutions and develop sails and systems keeps me motivated and the innovation moving forward. Plus the added bonus of being able to make adjustments to sails overnight and get them back out on the water the next day.
Doyle Sails: What is your primary focus in Newport?
Paul: My primary focus is to build the best sails for the best boats, haha! We’ve got a great team of people who we will work with to lift the level of the entire team here and make sure that the high expectations on Grand Prix sails are met every time. Of course, we will also apply this same quality and attention to detail to the Superyachts and local racers and cruisers we work with!
Doyle Sails: With a career like you have, your options would have been endless. What drew you to Doyle Sails?
Paul: A positive leadership group, with a very talented group of designers. Doyle is a super progressive company that is always innovating and we’re going head to head across the product range and are successfully taking market share. We’re also working hard to deliver into the 40-70ft Grand Prix markets. Plus, you can’t ignore the quality of the lamination and product.
Doyle Sails: Any tips for new sailors or sailmakers that might be looking for a career in sailmaking?
Paul: Work hard, listen and learn – you will go a long way. If your goal is to get into any kind of professional sailmaking, having a skill like sailmaking will give you an advantage over someone who doesn’t have any additional skills to offer the team.
If you’re interested in becoming a sailmaker or joining our ever-expanding group of people around the world, learn more here.
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Around the world, Doyle Sails has over 500 sailmakers in 46 different locations, all equally passionate about sailing – living and breathing our ethos ’Global Leaders and Local Experts.’
As sailors, our obsession with sailing connects us to the water. The water is our playground, a sanctuary where we seek enjoyment, a competitive playing field where we race as competitors; it’s sometimes our home and always a place that unlocks our sense of adventure wherever that adventure might take us. Behind every adventure is a Doyle sailor who shares this same obsession as you. We put your journey at the very heart of what we do to deliver the ultimate enjoyment and performance, powering our constant need to push the boundaries in sail design and innovation, to reimagine sailing.
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