People with sailboats use them in many ways, but broadly speaking we define them as either cruising or racing. The proper sails for each of these activities varies widely, but at the level most people engage in cruising and racing, we can simplify the differences between the sails required if we talk about performance, design, and materials.
Performance Expectations
Both cruising and racing sails are designed for performance, but for each type, performance is measured differently. The ultimate measure of performance in a racing sail is speed, although other factors can play a role. Great performance from a cruising sail is more about ease of handling and durability.
In simple terms, speed is derived from sail materials and sail shape, which need to match each other. Depending on how much speed is sought, this often comes at a cost to ultimate durability. Do you want to be able to sail a minute faster on a long upwind leg, or do you want to be able to hoist and fly the same sails 10 years from now?
Given how many different types and sizes of sailboats we have on the water and the wide variety of sailmaking materials, it’s not as simple as choosing a durable cruising sail or a speedy racing sail for most boats; we need to learn about some of the other differences between racing and cruising sails to help with our selection.
Chief among them is the owners’ expectations of their sails. Aboard a full-race TP 52, where pure performance is the only measure of a sail, after one windy regatta, a team will often decide that their mainsail is finished and should be replaced. Most racers sailing below the pro level, typically on smaller boats, often feel comfortable replacing sails seasonally and more selectively, making certain sails last multiple seasons.
By comparison, aboard a cruising boat, some owners will think their sails will be fine for seven to 10 years before the material and sail shapes are so compromised that the boat’s performance is seriously compromised.
Learn more at: https://www.spinsheet.com/north-sails-resources
