By Andy Camarda Each year, the Chicago and Bayview Mackinac Races are the most well-attended races on the Great Lakes. With the races starting on back-to-back weekends in July, nearly 300 boats pull out all the stops to try and collect these two prestigious trophies. The longer, 290 nautical-mile Chicago to Mackinac race started first […]
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Maverick Smashes the Mac Record – Interview
This year’s Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac proved to be one of the fastest on the books for just about every team that participated. As always, Lake Michigan threw everything she had to offer at the fleet, from brief yet extreme squall lines to areas becalmed for hours on end. We would like to congratulate everyone who participated in this record-setting race, and we thank Chicago Yacht Club for allowing us to sponsor such a prestigious and historical event.
One team in particular made the 115th Race to Mackinac one that will not be soon forgotten. Maverick, an Andrews 80 owned by Bill Kinney and Sandy Curtis smashed Pyewacket’s race record by over an hour, setting the new record at a blistering 22 hours, 22 minutes, and 23 seconds, But they didn’t stop there. The team continued on to Port Huron and took a full 10 hours out of the previous “Super Mac” record. This amazing achievement was credited to a 19-member crew largely comprised of Corinthian sailors hailing from Ohio.
At Evolution Sails, we are proud to not only be the sailmaker for Maverick, but to have our team participate alongside their crew to achieve this spectacular result. Evolution Sails founder Rodney Keenan was onboard and played a large role in designing and delivering a re-invented sail package that propelled them to their record result. Andy Camarda, the local Evolution representative from Chicago, caught up with Rodney between regattas to get the inside scoop on Maverick’s race.
How Do I Know if it’s Time to Replace My Sails?
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?
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 Your Sail Measurements: I, J, P, E, SPL, and ISP
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 New Sails Cost?
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. […]
Understanding Sail Declarations for ORC Rating Certificates
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 […]
What I learned Racing Super Yachts
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 […]
Luff Curve and Mast Best
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 […]
Guide to Jib Sizing
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 […]
