You’ve got a boat. Maybe it’s brand new, maybe it’s new to you, and maybe it came with sails that have seen better days. Or perhaps the boat is ready but you’re realizing it’s missing something: a spinnaker for those light downwind days, or a code zero to make the most of reaching angles. Either […]
Before anyone talks to you about materials, construction methods, or price, there’s one question that matters more than all of them: how do you actually use your boat? It sounds simple, but the answer shapes every decision that follows. A sail built for weekend day sailing is a very different product from one built for […]
If there’s one decision in the sail buying process that has the greatest impact on how your sails perform and how long they last, it’s materials. Get this right and you’ll have sails that hold their shape, handle the conditions you sail in, and serve you well for many thousands of miles. Get it wrong […]
By this point in the guide you’ve thought about how you sail, where you sail, what options you need, and what materials make sense for your plans. Now comes the part where you pull it all together and make a decision. That’s what this article is about. Bringing It All Together The questions we’ve walked […]
Back in Article 3 we talked about the designer dimensions, the I, J, P, E, ISP, and SPL measurements used to size your sails and generate a quote. Now that you’ve made your decisions and are ready to build, it’s time for the next step: actually measuring your boat. This is a more detailed process, […]
You’ve worked through the decisions, settled on your options and materials, had your boat measured, and placed your order. Now comes the part that tests every sailor’s patience: waiting for the sails to be built. This article walks you through what’s happening during that time and how to plan around it. Sails Take Time to […]
The sails have arrived. After all the research, decisions, measurements, and waiting, you’re finally holding the product of all that work in your hands. This last article covers what to expect when you take delivery, how to handle the first day on the water, and what to do if something doesn’t look quite right. Taking […]
Every sailcloth we work with comes in a wide range of weights so we can match the material to the boat, the sailing conditions, and the role of the sail in the inventory. The displacement of the boat, expected sailing locations, and whether a sail is intended as a light-air specialist, a heavy-weather sail, or […]
Every once in a while, a new boat comes along that lets you rethink the entire sail plan from the ground up. The J/7 is one of those rare opportunities. When J/Boats Midwest and 180 Sails took delivery of hull #2 this summer, we weren’t just unwrapping a new model. We were stepping into the […]
Go behind the scenes at Evolution Sails. Learn how our design team shapes, tests, and refines every sail to balance performance, durability, and craftsmanship.
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.
