Island Planet has a rather unique approach when it comes to racing sails. We don’t have commissioned salesmen pushing you into spending more than you need to or overdoing the inventory. We take a holistic approach and don’t be surprised if some of our suggestions have nothing to do with sails. For instance, we had a prospective client come to us asking about a carbon genoa for his 40′ Hunter with shoal draft keel and furling main that he primarily uses for club racing. One of our first questions was whether or not he had a feathering or folding prop. Our goal is to help you win races and have fun. We’re willing to look beyond our own interests to do that. We want to be your sailmaker for the long term.

Today’s woven sailcloth is more stable and stretch resistant than in the past. Dimension Polyant and Challenge manufacture cloth designed for radial construction. Racers who prefer the easy handling and durability of woven cloth can choose a great performing radial Dacron or even a cloth that incorporates high tech fibers.

Racing laminates have long been favored by racing sailors. They are more stretch resistant than wovens and reinforced with a variety of fibers. Modern laminates outlast prior versions and are less susceptible to mildew. Radial sails can be constructed with lighter weight cloth in the more lightly loaded areas to achieve additional weight savings.

Load Path technology represents a quantum leap in sail manufacturing. It starts with a crosscut panel layout using a variety of different base materials. Highly sophisticated “stringing machines” place reinforcing fibers precisely on the load paths of the sail. This is the most efficient construction technique in the history of sailmaking.