NORTH SAILS BLOG

Rightfully known as “the champions among us,” the North Sails One Design roster is a remarkable collection of world-class sailmakers. It was Gillard’s single-minded pursuit of excellence that caught the attention of Paul Hobson, the head of the One Design squad at North Sails. READ MORE

The North Sails family and sailing world mourn the loss of Gautier Sergent.  Gautier personified North Sails—an absolute expert who drew from his experience to relentlessly advance our competitive edge.  READ MORE

Nigel Musto, North Sails Performance Clothing Director, gives us his top tips on maximizing the life of Foul Weather gear. READ MORE

North Kiteboarding is teaming up with a leading paragliding designer to join the race for Olympic gold in the Formula Kite Class. In partnership with Hannes Papesh, North will submit its first RAM-Air kite design for registration next month with the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Quadrennium. “Hannes approached us with this unique opportunity to leverage our combined decades of data-driven experience and venture into the Olympic arena together. We’re confident, and we have the right cards,” says North Brand Director Mike Raper. “Our North Formula kite design is super light, extremely stable, and has a slightly different bridling system, refined to deliver speed and performance to the far edge of fast. We’re proud to celebrate our sailing heritage and join the other North Sails classes dominating the worldwide racing podiums.” Hannes Papesh started flying paragliders in 1986. Coming from sailing, he immediately tried to change the trim of his lent paraglider. “I designed my own computer program, got material and webbing, and made my first wing,” says Hannes. From that first paraglider design in 1988, he used self-programmed software to calculate the sail cut and 3D geometries and later did a lot of simulations (CFD, FSI). Today, this software workflow is used by other brands to develop leading products. “Challenges are our strength, backed up by modern digital solutions,” says Hannes, for whom the Formula Kite special project has been a dream for some time. “This venture with North ensures we can set extraordinary new standards in the Formula Kite world.” Formula Kite, a high-performance hydrofoiling class using regulated series production equipment, has been selected by World Sailing for the kiteboarding event of the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Capable of speeds up to 40 knots, foiling kiteboarders have become the fastest athletes in the history of Olympic sailing. Formula Kite is also a class in Regional Games (like the Panamerican and Asian Games), the World and Continental Beach Games, the World Sailing World Championships, the World Sailing Youth World Championships, and the Youth Olympic Games. Since 2012, only registered production equipment is eligible for any Formula Kite course racing events. Manufacturers must submit equipment license applications for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics before March 15, 2024. Formula Kite racing has a ‘Box rule’ where riders can choose from registered equipment. In the class, each athlete can register four different kite sizes. You’re allowed to take out any of the four, and you can come in to change sizes depending on the wind strength. The kites are more like paragliders than your classic inflated “tube” kites. Known as RAM-Air kites, the air fills the pockets when you take them out - you don’t need to pump them up. Four lines attach the kites to the bar, and the bar connects to you on a harness. North will register the new Formula kite (aptly named the “North Formula”) in sizes 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15,17, 19, and 21m, adding the familiar NS logo to the arena in the fastest Olympic class. North Kiteboarding is part of North Sails Group, a pioneering force in sailmaking. North Sails boasts an impressive legacy marked by groundbreaking innovations that have revolutionized sailing. Recognized as the preferred sailmaker for prestigious events like the America's Cup and amongst Grand Prix, Ocean Racing, Olympics, and Superyachts, North Sails offers a comprehensive range of sails underpinned by an unwavering commitment to all sailors. Further solidifying its position as the world's leading sailmaker, North Sails proudly holds an unmatched track record of one design National, World, and Olympic Class victories, surpassing all competitors combined. North Sails has been chosen as the official supplier of sails for the 49er and 49erFX classes. North 3Di will be making its Olympic debut in Paris 2024 as the official one design sails to these classes. READ MORE

North Sails strengthens its global sales and service team with Tony Rey, one of the most highly respected sails experts. Few sailors have such a diverse career and broad enthusiasm for racing and cruising. READ MORE

North Sails proudly announces the opening of a new loft in Victoria, British Columbia. Spearheaded by local experts Stuart and Joy Dahlgren, and supported by their expert team of sailmakers, they seamlessly integrate into North Sails Canadian operations. READ MORE

To sail like a girl is about finding your voice amidst the roar of the ocean and standing tall in the face of adversity. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a novice adventurer, it's about pushing boundaries and knowing the horizon is not a limit but a new beginning. READ MORE

Powered by North Sails, Gitana Team Skipper, Charles Caudrelier, crossed the finish line off the coast of Brest, France, on February 27th, to win the ARKEA Ultim Challenge. The ARKEA Ultim Challenge is the first-ever solo multihull race around the world and was sailed in 32m Ultim Trimarans – true Giants of the Sea. READ MORE

Available for cruising boats up to 45 ft, NPL RENEW is the start of a new and important shift for sailmaking towards a more sustainable sail that does not sacrifice performance or longevity. Learn more about NPL RENEW with our FAQs from NPL RENEW Product Director Tom Davis. READ MORE

North Sails RENEW, a North Panel Laminate (NPL) sailcloth for cruising boats up to 45 ft. is constructed from more than 90% sustainable sources, with no sacrifice in performance or longevity. READ MORE

North Sails President and world-renowned race winner Ken Read lends his expertise to our Flying Sails Guide, a new breed of offwind sails that can add as much as 40 percent more sail area. READ MORE

The Engine Above Deck The North Sails team has focussed hard on the Cape 31 Class since its inception and as a result it is no surprise that North Sails have been so dominant. North Sails IRC designs were the foundation of the Cape 31 One design rules. Starting as the sole sail maker in South Africa with tri-radial paneled,  North Sails have worked to perfect their 3Di sails since the Cape 31 arrived in the UK in 2019.  After countless hours sailing, testing and competing in the Cape 31, North Sails shares our tuning notes in an effort to get sailors and teams up to race winning speed quickly for the most competitive racing. As we learn more about the Cape 31 and further its development, new information regarding setup, tuning and trimming techniques will be updated online at northsails.com. As always, contact your North Sails Expert for all the most up to date information and for help tuning your boat. Tuning Guide Dock tune Mast heel position: 135-145 mm from the aft edge of the mast to the center of the front keel bolt. Set the mast heel position to achieve the desired pre bend (see below). Moving the heel aft increases pre bend, moving the heel forward reduces pre bend. Setting the mast rake: 1,710mm. To do this, put a mark on the forestay, and measure the distance from this mark down to the middle of the forestay pin at the deck intersection.  Swing the fixed end of the jib halyard back to the mast and mark the halyard in line with the top of the gooseneck measurement band. Next swing the jib halyard forward to the forestay and mark the forestay in line with the jib halyard mark.  Measure the distance from the top of this new forestay mark to the middle of the forestay pin. On most boats this is the load sensor pin, the pin that the tack of the jib attaches to. The next step for tuning the rig is to make sure the mast is square in the boat.  Set the shroud tension close to base tension and loosen the D1’s (& D2’s).  Swing the jib halyard from one shroud base to the other and make sure the hounds are in the middle.  Tighten the D1’s (& D2’s) back up to the tuning guide and make the mast look straight side to side. Base deck chocks: It is best to have light pressure on the front chocks. A good base deck chock setting is normally 4 to 8 mm of positive chock (fill the gap in front of the mast, plus 4-8mm). It is worth checking that when on +1 chocks compared to base that there is still a small amount of pre bend. Moving deck chocks has a large impact on the D1 tension. Measure pre bend by pulling the most forward main halyard down to touch the back corner of the lowest bit of the mast track just above the gooseneck (see image). Pull the halyard tight on a calm wind day and then measure the gap between the back of the mast track and the nearest piece of rope. Pre bend is measured at the height of the lowest spreaders. Measure on base with base chocks in and with the runners loose and the boom down. The ideal pre bend is between 40mm and 50mm. Tuning Matrix This tuning matrix is developed for the unique 3Di North Sails technology. 3Di is a fundamentally unique construction process leading to lighter and stronger sails. TWS (kts) V1 “Shrouds” (PT-3) D1 “Lowers” (PT-2) D2 “Uppers” (PT-2) Forestay  Deck Chocks 4-7 Base -2 Base -3 Base -2 Base -8 Base +1 8-9 Base-1 Base-2 Base -1 Base -4 Base 10-11 Base Base-1 Base Base -2 Base 11-12 (Base) Base (20) Base (35) Base (25-27) Base Base 12-14 Base  Base +1 Base Base +2 Base 14-16 Base +1 Base +1 Base Base +4 Base 16-18 18+ Base +2 Base +3 Base +1 Base +2 (37) Base Base Base +6 Base +8 Base  Base -1 Each turn listed on the tuning matrix above is a 360 degree turn.The numbers in brackets on the tuning matrix are rig tensions.  Battens A couple of stiffnesses of carbon full length battens in the head of the mainsail (and jib) help to perfect the sail set up across the wind range. North Sails have standard recommended batten upgrade options, please get in contact with a North Sails expert to discuss this further.  Jib Trim Crossovers Helix technology in the jibs defies conventional sail design limitations enabling one sail to perform optimally across a wider range of conditions than ever before. Engineered for active camber control, Helix upwind sails enable sailors to radically adjust and control sail shape and power as well as minimizing luff sag by adjusting the jib halyard fine tune. J1 (J1-3): 5 -11 knots *new design J2 (J2-1) 10 –17 knots *new design J3 (J3-3) 15-21 knots *new design J4 Heavy Weather OSR (J4-3): 20+ knots *new design Storm Jib: for use to satisfy a class rules requirement instead of taking the J4 sailing. JIB CARS. It is best in light and medium winds to be max inboard on the car. If out of range, or at the very top of the range, on a jib going one step outboard on the jib car works well. There is jib car height adjustment line next to the main hatch. Car height is the main car tuning tool for setting the depth and twist in the jib.   SPREADER MARKS: It is really useful to have spreader marks on the underside of each spreader. Place these in the center of the spreader and 150mm inboard and outboard of the central mark. Mainsail Trim MNi-5: All purpose mainsail *new design TRAVELER. Maximum height and power are generated by having the traveler all the way up in light winds. In strong winds it is best to not go far below the centerline with the traveler car, use the fine tune to twist open the main. Once overpowered it is fastest to only have the traveler just above the centerline. Easing the traveler is one of the first moves to depower. RUNNERS. Off in sub 6 kts, then progressively tighter until max combined headstay / tack load of 1.8 tonnes. 1.8 tonnes is the max load according to the builders. OUTHAUL: Just loose so the sail is not touching the boom below base, and then tighten it when the wind builds. CUNNINGHAM: Off downwind and in light winds. Progressively pull it tighter as the wind builds, especially when sailing at/over +4 on the headstay. This helps to bend the mast and flatten the mainsail whilst holding the draft forward.  Downwind  Spinnaker Crossovers A1.5:(A1.5-2) 5-9 knots *new design A2 Minus (A2 Minus-1): 8-12 knots *new design A2 (A2-1): 11-18 knots A4 (A4-3): 18+ knots A3 (A3-3) Reaching Techniques In light airs the kite flies best and the gybes are best with the jib lowered. In over 8 knots of true wind speed sail VMG angles based on heel and apparent wind / true wind angles. It is fastest to leave the jib up. RUNNERS. Loosen the runners downwind to generate depth and power. Keep the windward runner snug. When the wind increases, tighten the runners just enough to keep the headstay straight / tight. Further Information Please get in contact with a North Sails expert to further discuss techniques and settings. Ben Saxton - North Sails Class Lead ben.saxton@northsails.com +44 7962 238 742 Crossover Chart READ MORE