By Andy Camarda In the previous article in this two-part series, I discussed how I took a 30-year-old racer/cruiser from the boatyard to the podium on Mackinac Island. If you haven’t yet read that story, follow the link HERE. After the blisteringly fast Chicago Mac race, I turned my attention to the 100th anniversary Bayview […]
By Andy CamardaEdited by Carl Eaton 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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
Location, Location, Location… Our sails are optimized for wherever your adventures on the water may take you. If you plan to stay close to shore, your sails will have light-weight seams, efficient reinforcements, and minimal corner attachments all in the name of saving weight for easier hoisting and effortless handling. For those headed offshore, sails […]
Choosing the right spinnaker doesn’t need to be confusing! It’s important to remember that the names given to the different cuts (A1, S2, etc.) are a rough guide and each sail is purpose built for the boat and intended use. Sails using an “S” or “A” signifies whether the sail is a symmetrical or asymmetrical […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
