Everyone once in a while I have a year like I'm having this year, one that seems to have a theme. As the title suggests I have had a lot of sprits'ls, lugs'ls, and gunters ranging from 28 square feet to over 300 square feet. Most of the sails have been built using Oceanus, Contender cream, Contender colors have also been used.
Most of my customers are looking for the traditional details on these sails. The boats, that are works of art, really deserve to have pretty sails. They do get expensive. There is alot of time put into a sail like this; hand-sewn rings, hand-roped and beckets, with leathers at the corners really make the sail. Plus they really last a long time that way.
There has been so many in fact I have been thinking about changing the sail loft name to "sprits'ls are us." I have had a year where it was mizzen stays'ls. That was fun, a lot of colors. The year before that was marconi mains'ls with internal bronze headboards. I do many more gaff mains than marconi so each marconi main I had the great debate whether to floor layout or computer design and plot the main. I usually opt for the floor.
Going for the floor layout allows me to compensate for wonky masts. You know who you are! Those wooden masts often get a bend or hook. I can fool with the luff and foot on the floor to make the sail work better for you.
No idea what 2007 will bring. It looks like it could be heads'ls. Who knows for sure, but that has been where the interest has been.
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Heidi
