TAKING ON THE SAILING INDUSTRY
Charlotte Hinman Shares Her Sailing Journey
Charlotte Hinman grew up sailing in Brooklin, Maine at the age of six out of Centre Harbor Yacht Club. Like most sailors, she began in Opti’s then quickly worked her way up to Beetle Cats and finally 420s. This is where she got hooked on racing and sailing, beginning a life long dream to sail in college. Fast forward a few years, she is now a part of the service team at the San Diego loft of North Sails. She shares her path that led her to sailmaking.
When and where did you grow up sailing?
My parents signed me up for my first sailing class ever in Brooklin, Maine at Center Harbor Yacht Club (CHYC). At age six, starting as a beginner, I timidly got on the water for the first time. I remember disliking the fact that I didn’t know what was under me while I was stuck in a little Opti trying to figure out how the boat worked. Not knowing what was under me was my biggest fear, but quickly realized that it didn't matter if I could put in the effort to prevent capsizes and learn the basics. Then I started loving it.
This sparked my interest in getting better to move up and be able to sail different types of boats. I climbed the program, getting into the Learn to Race classes around ten years old. Instead of sailing Optis, we moved to Beetle Cats where I could start to understand the many techniques of racing. From starts to proper mark roundings, learning the sequences, and putting into play the rights of way.
By thirteen, I made it to the Advanced Racing Class. This class solidified my love for racing and sailing. We sailed Z420s and C420s. The amount of movement I could do to keep our speed, while keeping the boat flat and constantly looking for puffs was thrilling to me. After two years of being in that class, I knew I wanted to sail in college.
What brought you to California?
Keeping in mind that I wanted to sail in college, I looked at schools ranging from Florida to Rhode Island. After researching sailing programs, I fell in love with San Diego and decided SDSU was the best fit. What really pulled me in was the combination of getting to continue the sport I loved, mixed with amazing weather, wind conditions, and a school I could call mine.
What made you want to be a sailmaker?
After being on the SDSU Sailing Team for a couple years, I was offered a position as a coach at Southwestern Yacht Club in San Diego. I was coaching the Novice Beginner Class and soon moved on to coach the Race Team for a while. My time there taught me valuable lessons and ultimately was the reason I became infatuated by sailmaking. I always think to myself how funny it is that the smallest task could lead to something bigger. That’s exactly what happened here; I was assigned to put battens in Sabot sails and hand stitch the end of the pocket so they wouldn’t go anywhere. I spent only about thirty minutes doing that and very quickly acquired a strong liking towards working with sails.
You've been with us nearly a year, share some highlights with us?
Since starting work at North Sails, San Diego, it’s been the best journey and experience I’ve gone through in my entire life. From the minute I walked through the door to now, there’s never been a dull moment. I’ve learned so many skills and sail techniques that I never thought I’d be able to grasp. One of the main highlights of working here is definitely the people I work with. From day one, the entire loft was so welcoming, kind, ready to help, and never once made me feel like a fish out of water. In particular, Johnny R, Pike Harris, and Marnie Jenkins have given me some of my best experiences at the loft.
One of the the most amazing teachers I’ve had in my life has been Johnny R. The patience he had when it came down to teaching me small details as well as answering general questions, made the whole learning process achievable. Also Pike has taught me so much about bigger boats and how to work with and on those sails. And Marnie, from day one, was there with support and pushed me to do the best I could do. She’s pushed me to get on bigger boats that I wouldn't have a couple years ago. She’s become a role model to me.
The most rewarding aspect of sailmaking to me is finishing a sail. My biggest highlight by far has been conquering spinnaker tears. Being able to repair a panel, fly it, and lose it is very satisfying to me.
Has becoming a sailmaker changed your eye and experience racing?
From little boats to big boats, I’ve found that becoming a sailmaker has not only taught me a lot, but also has improved my sailing and racing skills in huge ways. I find myself adjusting controls to get the correct sail shape from a sail that I’ve seen at the loft for speed. I didn’t know much about big boats when I started. Now I know the differences between an A1.5 and an A7 spinnaker and more. My experience grew because I started sailing big boats and got to put my little boat experience into play. It’s easier for me now to identify a problem with the sails on a boat more than before; I feel more comfortable as a sailor in general.
What are some of your goals in life?
I thought I wanted to be a film director. After working here, I’m pretty sure my goals have changed. I would like to get into big boat sailing to the point where I can race around the world. Currently my biggest goal is trying to win an FJ or Snipe National Regatta with either one of my skippers, Blake Buckner or Chris Hopkins.
I’m still young, and just getting on track, but give me a couple years and I’ll be a greater force in this industry.
