When To Replace My Sailboat’s Sails? Sails are a crucial component of your sailboat, impacting both performance and safety. However, they don’t last forever and knowing when it’s time to replace them can be tricky. In this article, we’ll discuss the key indicators that signal it’s time to invest in new sails, ensuring your sailing […]
Do New Sails Make a Difference? As a sailor, you may often ponder the impact of investing in new sails for your boat. Do they really make a difference? The answer is a resounding yes! New sails can significantly improve your boat’s performance, including speed, sailing angle, and heel angle, making your sailing experience faster […]
How to Find the Critical Measurements for Your Sailboat Getting a quote for new sails involves providing accurate measurements of your sailboat’s rigging and sail dimensions. Understanding these measurements is crucial, and fortunately, there are several ways to obtain them. This guide will explain the critical measurements needed—I, J, P, E, SPL, and ISP—and how […]
How Much Do Sails Cost? One of the most common questions among sailing enthusiasts, whether they’re seasoned sailors or new to the water, is: “How much do new sails cost?” The answer, like many things in sailing, depends on several factors, including the size of your boat, the type of sail, and the materials used. […]
As the days grow longer and sailing season approaches in northern climates, it’s essential to tackle the paperwork before the rush begins. Among the confusion surrounding sail declarations on rating certificates, particularly for ORC, it’s crucial to clarify what needs to be declared. While other systems like IRC and ORR share similar rules, there are […]
Luff Curve and Mast Bend The alignment of the luff curve of your sails with mast bend or headstay sag significantly influences sail shape and performance. This relationship dictates how the sails fly and interact with changing conditions. In modern sail design, understanding how sails respond to changes in mast bend and headstay tension is […]
The furler was slowly unwinding the genoa as the 500-ton boat wallowed struggled to accelerate out of the tack. A passing squall was rapidly accelerating an equally large starboard-tacked boat towards us, and it became apparent that we were not going to make the cross. Time seemed to stand still as our tactician needed to […]
Quick Guide for Jib Sizing We’re looking at jib sizing for boats with non-overlapping headsails in this article. If your boat has overlapping headsails, head over here (link) for more information. To help determine if your boat was designed for overlapping or non-overlapping headsails, click here (link) For Racing Choosing the proper jib size can […]
Quick Guide for Genoa Sizing In this article, we’ll take a look at finding the right genoa size for boats with overlapping headsails. If your boat does not have overlapping headsails, head over here (insert link) for more information. To help determine if your boat was designed for overlapping or non-overlapping headsails, click here (insert […]
What’s the difference between membranes and laminates? Which one should you choose?
Hi, my name is Andy Camarda, and I am the founder of 180sails.com.
I started sailing before I could walk 30 years ago, and have been working for major sailmaking brands in the industry for over 8 years.
I have been a part of a team that has won every major event in Chicago including the Chicago to Mackinac, the Verve, and the NOOD.
