Welcome to The Hardware Handbook, 2025 Recap Issue. In this edition, we’re sharing a mix of product news, behind-the-scenes engineering, and updates from the wider Allen sailing community.
You’ll find highlights from recent projects, including new and specialist hardware developments, insights into boats and classes using Allen gear, and the latest news from our Team Allen sailors. We’re also showcasing some of our newest products and giving a glimpse into the processes and thinking behind them.
Whether you’re a racer, boat builder, or weekend sailor, we hope there’s something here to inform, inspire, and help you get the most out of your time on the water.
So, grab a cup of tea, sit back and find out all the highlights from an amazing 2025 season.
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Chris from Sail Hub swung by the Allen stand at METSTRADE to take a closer look at our brand-new High Performance Swivel Cleat – recently nominated for a prestigious DAME Award.
Although the cleat didn’t take home the top prize this year, we’re incredibly proud to see our engineering and design innovation recognised on the global stage. It’s a great motivator for the team and a reminder of why we continue to push the boundaries of performance sailing hardware.
Watch the video below to hear Chris’ thoughts and get an up-close look at the cleat in action.
We’re excited to return to METSTRADE 2025, the world’s leading marine equipment trade show, in Amsterdam from the 18th to the 20th of November. You’ll find us in Hall 1, Stand 516, where we’ll be showcasing our latest innovations in performance sailing hardware – all designed and manufactured in the UK.
This year, we’re introducing an exciting line of new products that highlight our continued focus on strength, efficiency, and user-friendly design for sailors and boat builders.
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The Melges 15 is quickly becoming a popular dinghy class worldwide. It was designed to be both accessible and exciting, offering a stable platform for learning while also delivering high-performance racing for more experienced sailors. The boat is responsive, fast, and simple to rig, which makes it a favourite among sailors of all levels.
If you are looking to upgrade or replace the hardware on your Melges 15, it helps to know exactly which fittings you need and what their role is on the boat. Below is a breakdown of the fittings used across the major systems, based on a complete Allen Brothers fit-out, along with some tips on upgrades. After that, you will also find a clear summary of tuning advice to help you get the most from your rig and sails.
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At Allen, we’re always refining performance through engineering innovation. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Acetal Pivoting Mast Step – a lightweight, cost-effective evolution of our popular Aluminium Pivoting Mast Step.
First developed as a breakthrough in the dinghy and small keelboat market, our original aluminium pivoting mast step was inspired by the ball-and-cup design commonly found on catamarans. However, instead of multi-directional articulation, our step offers controlled fore-and-aft pivot within the mast step channel. This allows for dynamic rig tuning on the water without compromising mast alignment or deck integrity.
Now, we’ve taken everything great about that original design and, in partnership with Jon Turner, we have made it even more accessible.
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The WASZP is a high-performance, single-handed dinghy that is surprisingly simple to rig. Although the setup is fairly straightforward, it’s crucial that all the systems run smoothly and efficiently. Well-functioning control systems will make the boat easier to handle and noticeably quicker on the water. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the upgrades you can make to improve the usability and overall performance of your WASZP.
We’re excited to share that Allen is now a full distributor of the complete Clamcleat® product range.
We’ve proudly stocked a selection of Clamcleat products for many years, but following the unfortunate closure of one of their distributors, we were offered the opportunity to take on the full range. It’s a natural next step in our long-standing relationship with Clamcleat and we’re pleased to be strengthening our partnership with another great British brand.
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Team Allen sailor Ross “Rossgo” Banham brought his latest foiling craft, the SWITCH One Design by Element 6, to the Allen factory for a full refit. Working alongside Ben, Ross upgraded key control systems to reduce friction and enhance performance. Along the way, they shared some classic boat chat—check out the video below for a full tour and behind-the-scenes insights.
Below, we’ve compiled a detailed fitting guide listing all the Allen components used in the upgrades, along with alternative options to suit different budgets and needs.
Please note: At the time of filming, no class rules were in place. The hardware replacements listed are based on our alternatives to the OEM-fitted hardware, with a few exceptions where doubles have replaced two single blocks.
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You may have recently found yourself searching for replacement parts after a well-known manufacturer of marine hardware ceased trading. Whether you’re looking to restock essential fittings or replace worn-out components, Allen has you covered.
As a UK-based manufacturer with decades of experience in high-performance sailing hardware, we’ve been producing innovative and reliable products that sailors trust. Many of our existing products serve as direct replacements for those you may have sourced elsewhere, but with improved designs and materials to ensure better performance and durability.
To help you find the right solution, we’ve highlighted some of our key products below. These items offer the same functionality as those that have recently disappeared from the market but with enhancements to ensure long-lasting quality.
If you need a dependable replacement, take a look below to discover just some of the items Allen can help with to keep your boats and business running smoothly.
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We’re excited to announce that we will be attending the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show at Farnborough International over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of February. You’ll find us on Stand 6, where we’ll be showcasing a range of innovative new products including our new dinghy mast and boom sections, alongside three fully Allen-fitted boats.
Ready to be unveiled to the dinghy enthusiasts of the UK are two brand-new sets of dinghy spars, one for the Solo dinghy and one for the new GOAT Aigos. Come along to find out more about these rigs and see the finer details which make them special.
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