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North Sails LOFT NEWS
Preparing for the Transpac
When heading offshore, there are many things to keep in mind that can help you make it to the finish line in one piece. Planning ahead can contribute to your success and assure your crew and your boat is set up to take on anything mother nature can bring. Many find that past experiences are often repeated and reflecting on what worked can help you prepare for now. Here are some articles that will help you plan ahead, expect the unexpected, and get the best results at the upcoming Transpac.
Good luck, sail fast, be safe, and sail smart!
Finding the Right Fit
Ken Read has plenty of experience in building ocean racing teams. Here is his advice for speed and success when it comes to finding the right players for the positions.
Planning Ahead
Preparing successfully to compete in the biggest offshore races requires putting your attention to every detail. When sailing the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (or a similar race that heads well offshore such as the Newport Bermuda Race), you’ll need to win a different sort of race after crossing the finish line—the delivery back to your home port.
Fueling Your Crew
For many teams, preparing for any offshore race begins immediately after the finish of the previous edition. Here’s what Sarah O’Kane from Shorebase, a logistics company, says is important to properly provisioning for your next offshore adventure.
The Solution To Every Hoist
When it comes to hoisting your spinnaker, there are some details to consider that make everyone’s life easier (or harder). Having zippers instead of bands is a great way to achieve a smoother, cleaner and quicker hoist, as well as help keep trash out of the ocean.
Shift Changes: Know Your Role
It is important to always have a clear strategy for the team on deck to follow, so that rest periods by the navigator do not lead to missed opportunities or mistakes.
To Reef or Not to Reef
Shortening sail quickly and easily when the breeze comes on is key to looking after your sails and your crew.
Safety is No Accident
Hardcore ocean racers and coastal cruisers alike should all make safety at sea a priority. North Sails President and offshore veteran, Ken Read, shares his tips and best protocols for sailing offshore.
Some Things Never Change
We caught up with Local North Sails expert and Transpac aficionado Patrick Murray to get his personal download on the race edition from 2019. Hear why the Transpac is a pinnacle event in North America and why sailors from all over the world keep coming back for more. While each year has it’s differences, some things don’t really change.
Expertise Reflections
North Sails has been helping Transpac racers achieve their goals since the company’s early years. Past president Gary Weisman sailed his first race in 1967 and is now tied for the most races sailed with Roy Disney, Jr. with 23 years, and counting.
Get Downwind, Fast!
Steering off the wind, on reaches and runs, requires a coordinated effort between helmsman and spinnaker trimmer. More often than not there are conflicting suggestions: Go up. Go down. Be more aggressive. Steer less. Hear our thoughts on how to manage feedback from the crew.
The Trip Home is Just as Important
Preparing successfully to compete in the biggest offshore races requires putting your attention to every detail. When sailing an offshore race like the Transpac or Newport to Bermuda, you’ll need to win a different sort of race after crossing the finish line—the delivery back to your home port.
Inventory Checks
Have you made arrangements for sail check-ups after the delivery home? Every sail serviced in a North loft undergoes a thorough inspection designed to identify maintenance issues early, so they do not become major problems later on. Be ready for post-Transpac racing. We look forward to helping you spend as much time on the water as possible.