Over the last few years, we have been further developing our 505 inventories with an eye to the subtle changes in the rig and tuning with the advent of the larger 6-meter luff spinnakers. The versatility of the North design software has enabled us to evolve sails quickly. I personally own and race USA 8715, and bring on the water experience to the product and our services. For 2008, our inventory of sails will be as follows:

MAINSAILS- We offer our two paneled mainsails in essentially the same panel structure. Both utilize a radial clew with a crosscut layout above. This is available in a hard finished Dacron fabric, or a combination of a Technora Warp fabric in the clews, and a crosscut Flex 5 Kevlar above the clew radial. We also offer the 3Dr main in Kevlar as used to win the 2007 North Americans. This is the smoothest and strongest main you can buy. We continually evolve our design and mast tuning to match up with Proctor Cumulus masts and the Superspar M2. We welcome mast bend data to fine tune a North main to your spar.

AP-11 Jibs- This sail is unchanged and won both the 2007 Midwinters and North Americans. Part of its success has been the draft forward shape with an easy to steer to entry, “going 95%, 99% of the time.” You will note a slightly flatter foot section, which makes it easier to de-power in heavy air. These jibs have a huge window panel giving you an unprecedented view of what’s coming - just the area you need to see. You can see waves and boats that were never visible before! Above the window, we use narrow panels to give you the fairest shape possible. It takes a little longer to build, but there are no sudden changes of curvature at the seams as with a wide panel jib. This sail is offered as a full hoist sail, the AP11F, for tack forward boats, or the AP11S for tack aft boats. There is a 40mm difference in the luff length.

V-8F Spinnaker- Just before the 2007 North American Championships we worked with the head spinnaker designer in North Sails with the goal of improving the stability of the V8 spinnaker and improving the reaching and light air abilities. The result is a really fast spinnaker that sealed many race wins at the NA’s. It’s really quick. Our spinnakers are unique in the market as we take the care to use narrow panel widths throughout to ensure a fair shape. This takes a little more cloth and time, but we know the smoother shape gives us a faster sail. It is available half oz. and ¾ oz.

Call or email about our updated tuning guide!

Please contact Ethan Bixby at ethan.bixby@northsails.com, or
Lin Robson, lin.robson@northsails.com, or via phone at 727-898-1123.

Click here to order a North Sails 505 sail.