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6th March 2023« All News Items

Simplifying the Sail Buying Process, part 1

We thought it’d be helpful to try and remove some of the mystery, to explain some of the key jargon and to give you some tips of how to choose the right sails for you and your boat.  Hopefully it’ll make your next conversation with your sailmaker a little simpler and you’ll get what you really need more quickly.  

 

In this first post we look at the general factors to consider when selecting new sails.

 

Even experienced sailors can find the process of choosing new sails complicated and confusing.  Sail design, materials and technology evolve and change at such a rapid pace that choosing the right sails for your boat can seem like a baffling task. 

 

It might seem obvious but being clear about the type of sailing you do is really important.  There can be a big difference between racing, cruising, short-handed or fully crewed, long distance or pottering about.

 

Boat speed, ease of handling, longevity and durability, and the inherent safety of good equipment are all desirable factors no matter what, but all of those will be affected by how and where you’re sailing.

 

Having a clear idea about your Sail Plan is also essential.

 

Most sailors like to keep their boats in a constant state of evolution so your Sail Plan should reflect that.  Are you buying sails for the boat as it is, or are you planning to make any changes based on lessons learned?. Sail sizes, reefing points, furling, tuff luff or hanks, sheeting angles, masthead or fractional, genoa or jib, asymmetric or symmetric, snuffer or no snuffer are all important to decide before commissioning new sails. 

 

A good sailmaker will be happy to discuss these choices with you, and advise accordingly, but the more you can consider and decide in advance the easier the process is, and the more likely you are to get the best sails for your boat.

 

Necessity versus Want.  Resisting the ad industry’s persuasion can be hard, but making a sensible choice about what you really need is the key to a great sailing experience. Aramid sails might look sharp, but do you really need them for cruising from harbour to harbour?.

 

Again, it might sound obvious, but being realistic about your budget is very important too. Not only in terms of which sails absolutely must be replaced or added to the inventory and which might be viable for another season or two after launder and repair, but also because the most expensive product is not always the most appropriate.  Conversely scrimping on essential sails can be a false economy, especially when it comes to durability and length of life. Buy well and buy once is a sound maxim.

 

Lastly you should try and allow plenty of time to choose and commission your sails.  Some of the bigger brands might have standard sails available off the shelf, but given all of the above considerations that’s not often the best choice. Understanding the lead-times your sailmaker working to is clearly important, so advance planning and starting your search well in advance of when you need them is helpful for everyone.

 

It goes without saying that we're always happy to discuss sail related questions.

Unit 20 Hamble Yacht Services
Port Hamble
Southampton, SO31 4NN
+44 (0)2380 456205