Ft Lauderdale Florida
Loft Info
2591 NW 4th Court
Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33311
1 954 522 8840
Specialties
Bend on / Bend off, Canvas, Certified Service, Sail Hardware Upgrades, Sail Inspection / Evaluation, Sail Measurement, Sail Repair, Sail Storage, Sail WashingHours
North Sails Experts
Mike Toppa
Loft Manager
Mike.Toppa@northsails.com
401 683 7997
954 560 6665
Dana Becker
Office Manager
Dana.Becker@northsails.com
954 522 8840
Bob Meagher
Loft Manager, Sail Expert
Bob.Meagher@northsails.com
954 522 8840
954 448 5999
Yana Meerson
Service Manager
yana.meerson@northsails.com
954 522 8840
Paul Abdullah
Jacksonville Area Representative, Sail Expert
paul.abdullah@northsails.com
904 571 6051
Sail Loft Services
New Sails
North Sails is regarded as the premier sailmaker for all racing and cruising sailboats. Since the founding of our first sail loft in 1957, we have been the number one new sail choice for world-champion racers, superyachts, one-design sailboats, catamarans, trimarans and casual cruisers. New sail options range to cater to any sailing adventure or budget. North Sails is the only brand in Fort Lauderdale to offer sail built with 3D design and production. Contact our experts to learn more.
Professional Sail Repair
Our sail loft services are dedicated to providing the Florida east coast and greater Ft Lauderdale area all the way to the Florida Keys with professional sail repairs, maintenance, and upgrades in a timely manner. We know that whether you’re dedicated to racing or cruising, your sails are a major investment, and we’re committed to helping you maximize their performance and lifespan. We recommend an annual inspection of your sail inventory to ensure you’re maintaining the intended performance and protecting your investment.
Custom Sailboat Covers
Beyond helping sailors find the right new sail, our team also wants to make sure your sails and boat are properly protected from sunlight exposure and weather. North Sails sailmakers are highly experienced at creating a range of sailboat covers that are both common and custom. From mainsail covers, to roller furling headsail covers, to dodger covers, we have a variety of solutions to protect your boat. Contact your local sail loft or expert near you to get started on your next cover.
Sail Washing
Keep your boat well maintained and looking clean by washing mold and dirt off your old sails. Washing sails will keep your sail colors as crisp as they day you got them. Contact your local North Sails loft in Fort Lauderdale for more details on how you can get your sails washed at your local loft.
Sail Storage
As much as we don’t like to admit it, the summer sailing season goes by fast and it’s important to remember your sail care at the end of the season. Sail storage is the best way to give your sails the TLC they’ve worked hard for over the winter months is the best way to assure they are ready to take on the next sailing season. Storing your sails in a cool, dry location accessible to you on any day is the best way to protect your investment. Our team of Certified Service experts are ready to store your sails for safe-keeping in the seasons you are not on the water and make sure they are ready for your upcoming season.
10-Point Sail Inspection
Regular sail inspections are important to keep up with, especially when it comes to investing in sails. Bring your sails in for our 10-point inspection, which can guarantee you being on the water every day of the year. Our 10-point inspection includes everything from inspecting all webbings, stitching, luff tapes, attachments, leech line and foot cords, the condition of your sail cloth, batten pockets, chafe and UV. When you bring your sails in for our 10-point inspection, you get a detailed report so you know the condition of your sails.
Annual Inspection
Annual inspection of your sails will help extend the sail life and maintain performance. When your sails arrive, a member of our service team will thoroughly inspect your sails and identify any maintenance issues with recommendations on how to proceed to maintain their longevity. This service is standard across any North Sails loft due to our unmatched worldwide network means you get the same quality service whether you’re at home or in a distant port. Get your sails inspected annually to stay in the game.
Sail Measurement
Having your sails measured is important to keep up with class rules and regulations. It’s always good to know your sail measurements so you know what options you have as far as sail selection for different types of racing. Over time certain sail materials may stretch, so it’s good to get your sails measured each year to keep track of wear and tear. You may find you have an all around inventory, but maybe you need a sail that is a crossover that can perform through a wind range in case sail changes are limited. This is where getting your sails measured becomes a priority. Our North Sails experts can come to you to refit your sails, or you can bring them in so the service team can measure your sails so you have a reference. Once you know what you have and how you can use it, you can decide if you need to add an additional sail for your inventory and from there, request a sail quote to fit your needs or get a new sail replacement.
Sail Hardware Upgrades
When you need new sails, you likely need to think about a hardware upgrade. Whether it’s on the sail, or on your boat, when used extensively and pushed to maximum potential, things need to be replaced time after time when used extensively. Give us a call and we can take a look at your sail inventory to see if you need to upgrade your hardware. This will prevent an unexpected breakdown, which could be costly. Protect your investment with North Sails service teams, and get your sail hardware checked.
Contact
Local News
When it comes to downwind sails, there are a dizzying array of choices for today’s sailor. There are even two types of spinnaker: asymmetric and symmetric. So how do you decide what would be right …
This month we give special recognition to ten employees who have been part of the North Sails team in Sri Lanka since 1996. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, which is a big …
The J/70 class attracts sailors who demand the best, and North Sails continues to upgrade and improve an already successful inventory. New for 2021 are two designs added to the North class line-up; the XCS-4 …
A sunny warm weekend brought together sailors and boating enthusiasts alike for a one-of-a-kind Hylas Yachts event, the 2021 Hylas Fleet Review. Industry professionals combined with existing Hylas owners came by to see new Hylas …
Olivier Magre and son Antoine launched their brand-new Class40 Palanad 3 in June of 2020 with an ambitious plan: compete in the RORC Transatlantic and the Caribbean 600. Combined with a full season of Class40 …
Catch your local teams live with our upcoming interactive webinar schedule. North Sails Class Experts from around the world have joined forces to bring you the best tips and techniques that will help you get …
North Sails is excited to introduce the Helix Furling Gennaker, a new sail type for the cruising community. The structured luff Helix Furling Gennaker eliminates the heavy cable needed for traditional furling and is the …
Twenty-two VX One teams gathered at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron for the first of three Winter Series regattas. The weekend started with practice races on Friday followed by a socially-distant onshore debrief with North experts …
Biscayne Bay threw it all at the i420 teams competing for the 2021 North American Championship, with conditions that ranged from a very brisk 12-22 knot first day, to a drifter second day, followed by …
The i420 Class doesn’t wait long to crown a National Champion! After a grueling 4-day regatta, with some moderate winds at the beginning and then 3 days of more (and more) wind, congratulations to the …
Champion racer Paul Abdullah is expanding the North Sails presence in North Florida with an increased focus on cruising and club racing sailors. Working in concert with Peter Grimm and Bob Meagher of North Sails …
Last week we announced the launch of our new Performance range of foul weather gear that will be available in Spring 2021. Each week, until launch, we’ll unpack how our team conceived the range, the …
X-Yachts are excited to introduce their new model of cruising yacht, encompassing 56 feet of luxury and performance with an emphasis on comfort. The X5⁶ is one of the biggest X-Yachts models ever to be produced …
Time is closing in on the 36th America’s Cup which commences in Auckland on the 6th of March 2021, and with the recent launch of Emirates Team New Zealand’s (ETNZ) second boat, competition is heating …
"We know when we are departing, but we do not know when we will return," recalls Loïck Peyron in this seventh and last episode of our Vendée Globe video series. Although an absent crowd marked …
A record of six women are included on the 33 skipper roster for the Vendée Globe 2020. This is historic, considering only seven women have participated, and six have ever completed the race since its …
Singlehanded ocean racing is demanding and not for the faint of heart. It is a profession that requires a certain state of mind and a great ability to adapt. "It may not sound like much …
Tom Fortner lived most of his life in Prescott, Arizona, but set his sights on moving to Florida to buy a boat and begin his next life adventure. He took ownership of the Island Packet …
Bonanni is a five-time National and North American Champion, including the 2015 E Scow Nationals, and brings extensive experience in the E Scow class as the North Sails one design representative. An active racer in …
Drew Freides is a well-known face in the sailing world. His list of impressive results includes back to back Melges 20 World Champion in 2017 and 2018, two IC37 Winter Series wins, 2019 Farr 40 …
North Sails is pleased to announce that John Baxter and Christina Donnermeyer have joined the Chicago loft team. Baxter, the former owner of Doyle Midwest, brings over three decades of sailmaking industry experience and consolidates …
Key players in the Fort Lauderdale sailing industry gathered Thursday night for a fun meet-and-greet hosted by North Sails and Maz Ocean. Representatives from area brokerages, rigging companies, and yacht service companies joined at the newly-renovated …
North Sails Expert Tom Davis is particular about sail storage. He’s shared his best tips below to ensure your sails remain in top shape for next season. Given how strange 2020 has been in many respects, …
As you may know, North Sails and Melges Boatworks (North Sails Zenda) have worked in conjunction in the past to provide sails and service to the Scow fleets across the U.S. We are writing to …
It wasn’t flashy imagery or action sports videos that got Steve Calder, North Sails designer, interested in kiting. His love for the sport began when his son decided he wasn’t interested in sailing optis while …
In the Wasatch Mountain Range, the team at Park City Sailing has created a sailing haven, where people from all backgrounds, in all stages of life, have experiences and make memories on the water that …
Pros at the top of the fleet share how the North 9DSX Moth sail takes them through the range of conditions and their personal tuning tips. Shop Moth Sails
Making a name for himself in the fiercely competitive Optimist fleet is 14-year-old British sailor Santiago Sesto-Cosby. Having sailed the Optimist for an astounding 10 years, we were eager to find out about his journey …
North Sails were lucky to have the two doublehanded experts Armel Le Cléac’h & Clarisse Crémer host a webinar for an in-depth masterclass. Best known as a singlehanded sailor with notable race wins in the Solitaire …
November 8th, the next edition of the Vendée Globe race is set to start from Les Sables d'Olonne, North Sails has designed the sails for the ¾ of the IMOCA fleet, 17 of which have …
Steering off the wind, on reaches and runs, requires a coordinated effort between helmsman and spinnaker trimmer. The spinnaker trimmer often has as good a feel for performance as you do while driving, and together …
The most important element of upwind boathandling is tacking, though every once in awhile an efficient reef or genoa change could also win you a race. Tacking seems like a minor thing, but the difference …
A: Having higher loads is the biggest issue. Because the boat does not heel and release the load, when the pressure hits it means every aspect of the sails and rigging must be up-specked for …
Norm Church and his Morgan 41 Obsession have been a Florida northeast coast fixture since 1971, the year the boat was purchased. The keel/centerboard model was the most successful of the Charley Morgan designs; she …
In 2018, Mr. Enrico Bonatti purchased Kinina, a Swan 78. Why a Swan 78? “I prefer the best quality,” he said. “And the 78 is the right size for me.” Mr. Bonatti then met with …
Doublehanded sailing has gained momentum globally, as the gateway to getting back out on the water while remaining socially distant. It is also the latest event added to Paris 2024, so now is the time …
Doublehanded sailing has gained momentum globally, as the gateway to getting back out on the water while remaining socially distant. It is also the latest event added to Paris 2024, so now is the time …
Owner and co-skipper, Catherine Pourre and co-skipper Pietro Luciani are the winning duo onboard Class40 Eärendil. Together, the pair are the reigning Class40 World Champions, have twice won the RORC Caribbean 600, The Atlantic Cup, …
With nearly 20-thousand miles under his belt, Sam Fitzgerald is no stranger to the challenges of going offshore, especially with only two sets of hands onboard. A naval architect and seasoned Class40 racer, with accolades …
In 2016, Ken and Liisa Bacco set sail from Newport, Rhode Island on December 1st during a snow storm onboard their Oyster 47.5 cutter rig, Altair, to meet up with the Oyster World Rally (OWR) …
A few months ago, North Materials Expert Tom Davis wrote an article titled “What are the Best Sails for Club Racing”. It only seems logical to have a companion piece to that, but with a …
The ClubSwan 36, which made its debut in May 2019, is seeing significant signs of growth. Despite a delay in sailing in 2020, the North Sails team has spent the first half of this year …
Southern Spars, a North Technology Group company, is proud to announce they have joined forces with Magma Structures to deliver a new generation of DynaRigs. The DynaRig concept has proven itself as an effective alternative …
Story by Holley Toppa It’s strange to think that the summer sailing of 2020 in Newport was kicked off with Wednesday night Shields racing. After the start on the first upwind leg, my dad, Mike Toppa …
A: 3Di OCEAN is the newest line of 3Di sails from North Sails, designed and engineered exclusively for cruising. A: 3Di OCEAN is for you if you are looking for a premium cruising product, providing high …
After an exhaustive research and development program, North Sails is thrilled to launch 3Di OCEAN 370, our latest innovative sail product that completes a line-up of 3D molded sails dedicated to cruising. This new product is …
By Caroline Gentry Rowell Imagine, if you will, it is the late summer of 2010. I am 21 years old, just graduated university, have taken a respectable office job and just moved into my new, cute …
You know when it feels right. It’s that moment when you could almost let go of the wheel and the boat could steer itself. A boat in perfect balance. Racing sailors will go to extraordinary …
North Sails announces an exciting new partnership with leading sailing rally organizers World Cruising Club. The aim of the partnership is to inspire sailors around the world to embark on a cruising adventure, using North …
It’s still a complicated time in many places around the world, and a huge thank you to our entire North Sails team, clients, and friends who have pulled together in a way that is quite …
Fast and fun off-wind sailing is what multihulls are all about. High speed, high stability and close wind angles require unique sail choices. Cruising multihulls in particular benefit from specialized sails that are versatile and …
By Tom Whidden One of the goals for our book, The Art and Science of Sails, is to connect the theoretical with the practical. An understanding of the physics of aerodynamics will help us better trim …
Once again, the experts have predicted an active hurricane season this year, but in 2020, preparations will be made within the context of COVID-19. As a result, boat owners must consider changes to their …
Fill your social feeds with all things sailing. Each day North Sails is curating our social media channels with content that showcases our passion for being on the water. We're collecting images that inspire us …
Personnel, lofts, clients, and friends of North Sails are navigating this global crisis together. Many of our local Certified Service Centers have taken the initiative in their areas to build masks when possible and support their …
Lightweight, reliable, unique. North 3Di sails are engineered to minimum weight and maximum performance. By eliminating the use of mylar, 3Di will not delaminate. Each 3Di sail is precisely shaped on full-sized molds and built …
Join North Sails expert Austin Powers, Peter Grimm and Bob Meagher for a discussion on 10 things to look for in cruising sails. https://youtu.be/MeDawIgFuPs
No matter where you are in the world, you can prepare for your next event or be ready for when sailing season picks up again by knowing what to look for when it comes to …
North Sails President Ken Read checked in to give us an update on what’s going on at North Sails this week. Ken, like all of us, is working from his makeshift home office in Rhode …
Do you race, cruise or do both? North Sails offers a broad range of sail materials to meet a wide variety of needs. This can make navigating sail material choices daunting. Depending on whether you …
Our experts have created a variety of articles to help you gain confidence for your next getaway. Topics include battens, weather, safety, durability of cruising sails, and more. Whether you are leaving land behind or …
Hardcore ocean racers and coastal cruisers alike should all make safety at sea a priority. Practices from racing around the world, including the toughest conditions of the Southern Ocean, can apply to sailors of all …
Libby Greenhalgh has navigated around the world twice with the Volvo Ocean Race; she's a director with the Magenta Project and has an offshore resume that ranks her among the top sailors in the world. …
Keeping the J/70 conversation going with class champions Tim Healy, Ruairidh Scott, and Allan Terhune. This interactive session includes lessons learned at the 2020 Bacardi Invitational and J/70 Midwinters. https://youtu.be/VBSM_YT_SGo
There are many ways you can help prolong the life of your sails. Here are some pointers to keep you aligned with our sail care maintenance practices, which can be part of your regular routine …
What happens if you furl your sail the wrong way? - with the sun cover on the inside instead of the outside of the furl? Unfortunately, we see the effects of this in our service …
The North Sails teams around the world have received a bunch of calls and emails recently. A quick Q+A has been put together to help provide you with information on where we are at during …
Thinking about battens? Preparing for a new season is something that is on everyone’s mind. Whether you’re staging your boat to launch, planning an extended cruise, or hoisting your sails for a weeknight club race, …
Cruising sailors demand durability. Yet, durability is not an easily quantified element of sail performance. Predicting durability is a tough challenge, because sails are subjected to so many different forms of use and conditions. That …
Paul Ward, Ruairidh Scott, Ben Saxton, and Mario Trindade teamed up to win the 40-boat J/70 fleet at the 2020 Bacardi Cup Invitational, posting only one score deeper than seventh in the eight race series. …
North Sails Expert Per Andersson explores fashion and function in the striking look of black sails on the water, and explains why sails may come in different shades of black. Black has not always been the …
For some sailors, “club racing” means a casual jib-and-main evening race aboard a well-stocked cruising boat carrying roller furlers and its anchor and chain in the bow. For others, it means a no-holds-barred weekend race …
Biscayne Bay is a great place to sail in March. Whether you’re a newbie to sailing in South Florida or a seasoned veteran, we’ve collected some of our best advice—both class-specific and general—to help you …
People with sailboats use them in many ways, but broadly speaking we define them as either cruising or racing. Cruising might be an hour-long daysail, with only one sail hoisted, or it might last a …
The basic rig dimension for a yacht are generally understood. However, there are some differences in how some sailors describe these dimensions. Here is how we define them at North Sails. I – Height of Foretriangle Elevation …
For the second edition of the Bacardi Winter Series in Miami, 25 J/70s and 25 Melges 24s raced in 5-10 knots over two days. The Bacardi happy hours were a hit as always! North boats took …
Ken Read explains why he raced double-handed in a new 33 footer from Fort Lauderdale to Key West. I just broke a cardinal rule that I was told a long time ago by a Bermuda Race …
The VX One and Viper fleets enjoyed two days of great sailing on Sarasota Bay last weekend. Saturday started off with a nice 12-15 knot breeze that slowly died, while Sunday brought a steady 9-16 …
Miami delivered near perfect conditions for the second event of the Biscayne Bay Regatta Series. A full series of five races was sailed over the course of two days. Winds were primarily 15-20 kts out …
Jeanneau America announced today that world-renowned American yachtsman and North Sails President Ken Read will campaign the new Jeanneau SunFast 3300 in the double-handed division of the 2020 Fort Lauderdale to Key West race along …
The opening regatta of the Biscayne Bay Series served up tricky conditions for a fleet of 50 Etchells, a larger fleet than previous years. North Sails were onboard 8 of the top 10 finishers, as …
To help you prepare for the 2019 Winter Racing Circuits, we asked the local Star and Snipe World Champion Augie Diaz to explain about his home waters of Biscayne Bay in Miami, FL. Biscayne Bay is …
North Sails Expert Mike Ingham spoke with the 2019 J/24 World Champion skipper about what it took to win. Team Furio had an impressive win at the J/24 Worlds. The class is going strong, and …
The J/24 Worlds was the ultimate test for our team, an all-women’s group of six led by Erica Spencer and sponsored by Sea Bags Maine. We worked hard all season long to prepare for this …
Hylas Yachts has been building award-winning luxury cruising yachts since 1985. And in a unique new partnership, North Sails will now be the first choice sail supplier for the innovative company. From today, all new …
Aimed at boat owners considering one of the SORC races for the first time, or after years away, this last seminar walked us through each race and described the key factors needed to know to …
Twenty five sailors joined North Sails' Sales Experts Peter Grimm & Bob Meagher for the inaugural Performance Seminar in Miami at Coral Reef Yacht Club. Focused on big-picture strategies for the various races of the …
What does a murder mystery, intrigue, bribes, outright lies, boat trivia, navigation and boating skills all have in common? Boatathalon! Every year in September—for the past 20 or so years South Florida Sailing and Boating Clubs …
The 2019 Worlds are just around the corner. Is your team ready? Our J/24 Tool Kit will help. Scroll down for tips about boat speed, tuning, shifting gears, jibing in breeze, and much more. Created just …
To help you prepare for the 2019 J/24 Worlds, we asked the local Star and Snipe World Champion Augie Diaz to explain about his home waters of Biscayne Bay in Miami, FL. Biscayne Bay is I …
North Sails is pleased to announce that it will join the prestigious Southern Ocean Racing Conference for the 2019-20 edition. The series consists of four distance races that draws a fleet from across the country …
The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee announces the North Sails return as the Official Performance Partner for the Newport Bermuda Race in 2020, which will include running a number of the hugely popular ‘Performance Seminars’ that …
📷 Catamaran Guru In 2018, our friends at Catamaran Guru initiated the first annual All-Catamaran Rendezvous, drawing over 30 boats to join in for a couple of days of sailing, activities, socializing and fun. After such …
The North Sails loft in Fort Lauderdale will merge with the former Doyle Sails East (Fort Lauderdale) loft to consolidate their expertise and personnel, giving sailors in South Florida access to unmatched service and product …
The One Design team at North Sails are driven by our commitment to find solutions for our customers and to always find more speed and boat performance. This is why the new F-1 mainsail was …
In early November, over 65 top Optimist Dinghy sailors from all over North America flocked to Bermuda to compete in the 2018 Open and National Optimist Championship at Sandy’s Boat Club. Everyday there was a variety …
North Sails and Key Biscayne Yacht Club welcome Optimist and Laser sailors for a 3-full-day clinic in preparation for the Orange Bowl. Arrive a few days early to warm up, tune up and get your …
Development of 3Di began ten years ago and has continued at a rapid and accelerating pace ever since. 3Di is the sum of multiple technologies exclusive to North Sails, making it the ideal platform for …
35 teams met at Shake-a-leg Miami for the 2018 Midwinter Championship where sunny skies and beautiful breeze greeted sailors with ideal racing conditions for the three-day event. Each day brought building breeze from the NNW …
The VX One Midwinters, hosted by Sarasota Sailing Squadron, was a wet and wild one with strong breezes ranging between 15-18 knots giving sailors a thrill all weekend long. Sailors felt the need for speed …
As we come to the end of the sailing season and head into winter, the North Sails global service team is gearing up for a busy period - from helping clients prepare for the Caribbean …
In conjunction with the Southeast Dinghy Championships, North U hosted their inaugural Leading Edge Optimist Clinic at Key Biscayne Yacht Club to get sailors ready to take on the winter sailing season. Thirty-three Opti sailors …
The 2017 Viper North American Championship was hosted by Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club in Florida, where 55 teams competed in one of the biggest and most competitive Viper regattas in the history of the …
North U is hosting the Leading Edge Optimist Clinic on November 2nd and 3rd in conjunction with the Southeast Champs, Nov. 4-5th. Hosted by Key Biscayne Yacht Club in Miami Florida, the clinic will include …
Last weekend, Snipe sailors gathered on both coasts to take part in the competitive racing and friendly sailing the class is known for. On the west coast, Mission Bay YC hosted the Herb Shear Invitational …