The Cruising divisions for the Chicago to Mackinac Race and the Bayview to Mackinac Race have taken off in recent years, offering a more approachable way to do one of the Great Lakes’ most iconic distance races. These divisions allow the use of autopilots and place limits on sail inventories and equipment, which significantly reduces […]
We have upgraded mainsails and headsails, added Code Zeros, and created more types of spinnakers than you could shake a stick at, but one sail still seems stuck in the past for most sailors: the light air windseeker. Whether you call it a drifter, a windseeker, or a daisy staysail, this light air sail is […]
This article started the same way many great sailing discussions do, as a bit of Yachty Karate in the loft after a race. One of the guys had gotten pinned behind a slower boat in a beercan race and was talking through how to get around them. With mixed fleet racing becoming more common in […]
Dimension-Polyant CZ Silver CZ Silver is a hybrid Code Zero material that offers improved structure and lower stretch compared to spinnaker cloths, while maintaining light weight and easy furling. It’s the only racing Code Zero cloth that can be launched straight from the bag without a furler. A great option for programs looking for an […]
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 […]
Sailing in waves is one of the most difficult skills to master, even for experienced sailors. This year on Lake Michigan has been an unusual one, with shifting wind patterns and confused seas that have made driving especially challenging. Most sailors have heard the classic advice for steering through chop: drive up into the face […]
Dimension-Polyant PXB is a polyester-based laminate originally developed for upwind headsails but adapted into lighter versions for use in performance racing Code Zeros. It offers a meaningful step up in structure, stretch resistance, and tight-angle performance compared to hybrid or woven materials. PXB holds a flatter flying shape under load, making it easier to point […]
E-Tech Composite is a film-on-film racing membrane, constructed fiber by fiber using a custom layout of carbon and Technora (aramid) fibers. It delivers elite-level structure, shape retention, and responsiveness under load, making it one of the most precise and efficient Code Zero materials available. Whether built for broad-reaching, tight reaching, or true J0 upwind sails, […]
Element Composite uses the same carbon and Technora membrane base as our E-Tech Composite, but adds Lite Skin, a lightweight, non-woven outer layer, to one or both sides of the sail. This added skin increases durability and abrasion resistance, making Element the top choice for boats tackling serious offshore miles. Structurally, Element performs just like […]
Dimension-Polyant CZ Silver is a hybrid laminate that blends a woven nylon base with a Technora scrim to create a stronger, lower-stretch alternative to traditional spinnaker cloths. It’s designed for racing Code Zeros where light weight, clean furling, and improved structure over pure nylon are priorities. CZ Silver delivers better stability and pointing ability than […]
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.
