Our Crew

Stuart & Joy Dahlgren – Owners

General Responsibilities: While Stuart is handing the general operation of the business and it’s day to day dealings, Joy is hands-on on the loft floor working under Sharon to learn the craft of sailmaking.

Favorite task/job: Helping customers maximize their boats with innovative sail solutions and rating optimization for racers. Looking at what people already have and what they want to do with their boats and helping figure out the best solutions for their budgets.

Personal interests: Is there something other than sailing? If there is this is the first we’re hearing of it because between work, a cruising boat and a racing boat, there is no time left in the day. The odd occasion where we are not sailing or working we like to spend time with our dog Melody, going for walks.

Sharon McBride – Repair & Service Manager

General Responsibilities: As a ticketed Journeyman Sailmaker I conduct assessments and prepare estimates for repair or upgrade work. Oversee all work done by loft team and ensure that we have all the necessary supplies/materials. Provide direct customer service  and complete billing.

Favorite Task/Job: Doing graphic inserts into Spinnakers

Personal interests: Reading, Gold panning, Gardening, Travel, Puzzles, Cooking and of course – sailing!

Chris Dudenas – Director of Operations

Chris works out of the main UKNW loft in Sidney and provides support to UKNW Sail Consultants and clients throughout our the Pacific Northwest. His main focus areas are customer service, new sails, Marketing and company growth. Chris grew up on the prairies but through the Sea Cadet program was introduced to sailing at the age of 13. After that initial dinghy experience,  a move to Victoria in 1995 inspired Chris to explore the local keel boat racing scene. Since then he has crewed with many great teams on a variety of handicap and one-design classes  Chris has also trained and competed in single and double handed Olympic classes. This sailing background combined with his professional coaching/training experience puts Chris in a great position to help clients get the right solutions and know-how for their sailing time. When Chris isn’t in the loft or on the water racing, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Fritz Matter- Sail care/Canvas Specialist Anacortes

Fritz has recently joined our team to service our clients in the Northern Washington for their sail repair and maintenance needs. A resident of Oak Harbour, WA Fritz has a solid history of working with international sailmaking brands and running his own successful marine canvas business. We will update Fritz’s info shortly, but in the meantime drop-in to meet him at our Anacortes loft.

Tim Knight- Vancouver Island Sail Consultant

Starting at the age of 15 Tim has been building sails, spars, and boats. At the age of 50 he has the experience to help sailors with any facet of their sailing dreams. Tim’s experience is first hand. He has owned and sailed everything from International 14′s to 44′ Wooden Gaff Cutters, his present boat is a Farrier F9R racing multi-hull. Tim thinks outside the box to come up with simple elegant solutions to any sailing situation whether you are a cruiser or a racer. Let Tim listen to your ideas.

Dennis Hilling- Puget Sound Sail Consultant

Dennis Hilling comes to UK Sailsmakers Northwest after a lifetime of sailing. From age 7 and his El Toro (a gift from a neighbor Thistle racer) to his latest sailing dream “ALLURE” a Kalic 40. Between the El Toro and Allure were many boats, sometimes several at one time. Dennis established a marine electrical and systems installation business in Portland, Oregon. While in Portland, Dennis continued his racing on his Morgan 30, (a goin‘ to weather machine)! In 2006, after equipping many customers boats for cruising Dennis felt the call to go cruising as well. Dennis and his wife Beverly headed for San Diego and the Baja HaHa. Arriving, in Cabo San Lucas on November 7th as winners of the “Enchilada” class. After two years in the Sea of Cortez Dennis and Beverly had to make a decision. While they both loved Mexico and it’s laid back lifestyle they were both workers at heart and it was time to go back to work. They have chosen Puget Sound as their new home.

David Cramb- Vancouver Sail Consultant

Dave is a very active racer and cruiser in the pacific northwest since growing up as a boater on the west coast and sails boats from dinghies to 72-footers. He participates in handicap and one design racing fleets and achieved the Boat of the Year Award for 2011 at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club as Tactician and Navigator aboard Absolute Kaos. Dave also volunteers his time officiating at club and international events, and utilizes his technical background to advise the UBC robotic sailboat program “Sailbot”. Dave also offers Race-training seminars and coaching with his company Race-Ready, and also assists clients with the purchase of sail and power boats, and the installation and maintenance of all yacht equipment.

 Fraser McMillan- Apprentice Sailmaker

General Responsibilities: Working on the loft floor. Training new members of the loft team. Installations of sails and canvas projects. Direct consultations with clients.

Favourite Task/Job: Handwork (finishing details on sails), sailing with clients making service calls to boats.

Personal interests: Tricking-out boats, Travelling to big regattas. Water-sports in general, One design racing in big local or international fleets.

Darren Splat- Apprentice Sailmaker

General Responsibilities: Sail repair/service, new sail construction, management of used sail inventory, complete evaluations of sails and canvas, shipping and receiving.

Favourite Task/Job: While my favourite job is trying to replicate vintage sailmaking techniques when repairing old sails, the most rewarding part of my job is is when I match a good used sail to the needs of a client.

Personal interests: Sailing, travel, offshore cruising, hiking, gardening, cuisine, reading/writing.

Ian Sloan- Northern Washington Sail Consultant

Ian, a native of Annapolis MD, moved to Anacortes in 2005, and started Anacortes Rigging in 2007 when he saw the need for premium rigging and yacht services. Since 2006  Ian has also represented UKNW for new sail and repair projects in the Northern Washington. Ian and his wife Joy sailed their J27 “Stranger” in local and regional crewed and doublehanded races until she was sold in 2010.  Recently they acquired an F18 catamaran which now consumes any free time that they may have had. In addition to sailing, Ian and Joy are avid disc golfers.

Cathy Ward- Office Manager

Cathy Ward joined UKNW in 1997 as our bookkeeper and it didn’t take long to discover she’s far more familiar with spreadsheets than jib sheets.

After taking a sabbatical in 2007-2008 to spend time with her family before her daughter left to attend university in Scotland, Cathy returned to the loft in 2009.

As our Office Manager, Cathy will happily answer any questions you may have about your account and sadly, after all these years, is still our resident landlubber.