What’s a Flying Sail? And is it right for you?

[jssailem]

Reading a North Sail marketing brochure, the term “Flying Sail” was featured. It appears to me to be a new label for a Genaker/Asymmetrical/Reacher.

If you desire to go fast in light air, (who doesn’t) these sails feel like a tool to put in your sail locker.

Flying Sails 101 | Sail Type Guide

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.

www.northsails.com

On an older boat without a bow sprit these sails may or may not work. There is these cautionary thoughts before you order one of the new miracles…

“There are a few considerations when adding a Flying Sail to an older boat. Most important is to ensure that the boat and its hardware can accommodate one, especially mast sheaves, halyards, tack fittings, and halyard clutches or locks.” by NorthSail​

 

[dlochner]

Flying sail or flying jib is an old term and refers to the foremost jib that flys in front of the bow on sprit. It was in common usage in the age of sail and on tall ships today. Sailmakers are using the term generically for any sail flying in front of the boat.

Sail Identification — Tall Ship Celebration

Know your Sails

www.tallshipcelebration.com