Where can I purchase a racing sail?
We offer a complete selection of racing sails. You can find detailed descriptions in our online store. If you are still unsure about which a sail is right for your sailor, please do not hesitate to give us a call: 800-784-6478. We would be happy to help answer your questions and take your order over the phone.
Which sail is right for me?
First decide whether you need a club sail, a practice/race sail, (like the WinDesign 3.9), or a racing sail. McLaughlin continually looks at the performance of sails from many different sail makers and tries to keep popular ones in stock.
Club sails
Club/school programs will definitely want club sails. They are built for long wear with an easily adjustable medium shape needed for training. Club sails can be purchased with or without a window. More care is needed with a window sail. If creased too many times the window is more susceptible to cracking than sailcloth. Club sales are legal for racing if they have the plastic green IODA fees button. Club sails come with durable battens and a sail bag, which is intended to hold the entire set of spars with the sail in place. The numbering of Club sails is not included in the price.
3.9 Race Sail
If you have any racing ambitions at all, you should seriously consider purchasing a 3.9 race/practice sail. It combines the durability of a club sail with the shape of a panel cut racing sail, and only at a marginally higher price than a club sail. The sails are perfect for regional racing and all practice sessions. The sail gets its name from the 3.9 oz dimension sailcloth used in its construction. The material allows for a fast shape that is easily kept in the groove. The 3.9 is .7 oz heavier then a race sail, but that is enough strength to out last a normal racing sail by over 3 times. The 3.9 sail and all other race sails come in specific designed cuts depending on the weight of your sailor. These sails come with the class royalty button, sail bag, sail ties, tapered race battens, window, and sail numbers installed. It is a great practice sail allowing you to extend the life of your racing sail.
Race sails
Sail makers and coaches are constantly improving the shape and performance of their sails. While years ago we only had straight panel cut sails, today we have radial, tri radial and combination cuts. Most sail makers are using Polyant 140B sailcloth for its fine weave and superior stretch characteristics, which allow the sail to perform well over a broad range of wind conditions. Race sails are rolled, even when shipping, to keep them from wrinkling. Some of the top companies are Olimpic, North, Toni Tio, J-Sails and WinDesign. These sails come with royalty button, numbers installed, tapered race battens, high-end sail ties, window and a sail bag.
Different Cuts
Sails are designed to match the weight of your sailor. Some sails are made for individuals over or under 100 lbs and Olimpic has at least four weight levels. Sails are also sewn together in different patterns. These include the original cross panel cut, radial cuts and even combinations of both. Most coaches recommend the cross cut sail for beginners because they are easier to trim. The radial and newer crossbred sails have a finer groove of performance, which requires more tuning as the wind velocity changes. If you are unsure which sail to buy we suggest you ask the advice of a coach or call us at 800 784 6478.
Durability
Some people ask us, "will a more expensive racing sail make up it's cost in longer life?" the answer is a resounding "NO!" Giving a brand new sailor a racing sail for his/her primary sail is like tossing a 15 year old the keys to the Porsche and saying, "go teach yourself how to drive!" Racing sails are made with performance in mind not durability. Club/Practice sails will hold their shape at least five times longer than race sails.
Class legal
To be class legal for racing the sail must have a green or blue IODA royalty button attached to the clew of the sail. This means the class royalty fees have been paid. (Watch Out! Some manufacturers do not provide this). The sail should pass measurement, (most sails do!), and have the properly placed and sized: class logo, country code (USA, etc) and the boat number installed. If you want directions for all this and the class rules see FAQ's "Sail Numbering and Removal". Race sails have the date and the thickness of the cloth stamped at the top of the sail. If you are just starting out or sailing locally you do not need the logo, country code etc. They can be added later for about $35. If you are going to the Worlds or a Continental Championship your sail will need a measurement certificate from a class measurer or for a small fee they can be measured at the event.
Why Are Some Sails So Expensive?
When you purchase sails, you are paying for 4 things: fabric, construction, research technology and brand name. Fabric is simply a matter of material cost. Fabric for racing sails is: thin with a high thread count, very difficult to make and, thus very expensive. Fabric for club and practice sails is not as expensive thus the cost difference. Construction is where the greatest cost enters. Club sails do not need to be cut and sewn perfectly and most are made in Asia to reduce labor costs. Racing sails, on the other hand are made at the companies headquarters. The quality control and skill of the sail makers is high. But it goes much deeper than that. Racing sails do not just happen, they evolve. It takes the sail maker years of research and development to reach the upper echelons of competitive sailing. Name brands in sails are important; they are insurance that you are getting the quality and performance you paid for. Buying a name brand means you can research who is winning at top levels and why. It means you can talk to coaches, sailors and parents, getting useful feedback on a well-known product. When you sail onto the racecourse that is the kind of assurance you need to win. |
