North Sails: Evolving Sailcraft for a ‘fusion schooner’

North Sails Atlantic has been building schooner sails for over 25 years, for boats including Bluenose II and Highlander (formerly the Mayflower, built in 1922). The sails for Schooner Maggie B use laminate sailcloth and a unique sailplan to achieve a success in sailing dynamics for schooners. Frank Blair challenged some of North Sails' concerns on the overlapping foresail, which resulted in North Sails' creating a unique sail that produces excellent windward performance.

The boat's designer Nigel Irens stated about the sails "I'm very conscious that if Maggie B seems to go well, then a good slice of that is down to you guys ...Those sails are just fine!!"

The sails for a schooner rig have evolved along with the sailmakers' craft. Traditionally a schooner would have upper and lower sails set on two masts and forward stays. This was done to improve sail handling and performance in various wind speeds. The lighter upper sails were used in fair and light winds, the lower or working sails for strong winds.

By contrast, the three working sails on Maggie B have a radial panel layout, meaning that pie-shaped panels of cloth are cut by laser plotter to specific shapes and aligned in the sail to conform to the load in each section. The four sided mainsail and foresail have over 40 panels each.

Maggie's two masts are made with carbon fiber so the sailplan concept for Maggie B was to combine the upper/lower sail area to produce three sails, large enough to power the vessel in light breezes, but with reefs that would effectively reduce the sail area for stronger winds.

In keeping with the idea of a "fusion schooner" the selection of sailcloth was important. The sails are made with a Spectra Gatorback™, a laminate, made by North Sails Cloth division. The boat travels to tropical locations and can be moored for extended periods. Damp, hot climates cause mildew to occur in sail fabrics.

Spectra Gatorback™ has the best ultra violet resistance and strength, is a proven sailcloth laminate for this style of cruising vessel, and has a superior strength-to-weight ratio.

North Sails uses an additional protection coating called SailKote plus™. This has been very effective in stopping the growth of mildew in sails. It is a dry lubricant that reduces the skin friction and repels moisture. It is used on race boats to reduce sail chafe with running and standing rigging. It is proven to reduce surface friction. A biocide is added to inhibit fungus growth.

Location: 4° 27.5 S, 55° 27.5 E
Saturday 12:00, 12.16.2006

This will be the last Schooner Maggie B update until the first week of the New Year, when we will reconvene here in Port Victoria, Mahe, the Seychelles. The Maggie B is well settled at a mooring in the inner harbor. I dove on the mooring this morning (yes, yuck) to be sure of it. The mooring is about 100 pounds of granite plus some unknown piece of machinery about the size of 1/2 of a Volkswagen Beetle. I added a few ropes and a shackle and we should be fine. I have paid up my Seychelles Yacht Club dues, hired a local boatman to look after her (for a new pair of Oakleys from the US) plus made friends with nearby Aussie yachties.

I have posted a few new photos from the market here, that should be interesting for those of you that just know Whole Foods.

One insight that I've had being here for the run-up to Christmas, is that a "traditional" Christmas, with Santa Claus and pine trees and wreaths is far from the weather at that moment in Palestine when the Christian era started. Palm trees like here make much more sense.

Our favorite menu experience here in the Seychelles was last Sunday at La Digue at a Restaurant called Chez Marcel. The specials were listed on a big board. 1) Squid Curry; 2) Squid in garlic and butter; 3) Deep fried Squid; 4) Squid pasta. After these specials was CALAMARI! in excited capitals. It reminded us of the great "Spam, spam, spam" Monty Python sketch.

Finally, for you birders out there wanting to learn local names in other languages, you should be thrilled to know that in Seychelles Creole, the beautiful Long-tailed Tropic bird is called "Paille en cul" or "Straw up the butt." Somehow a bit lacking in romance.

We'll be back live about January 8, 2007. Meanwhile, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Crew of the Schooner Maggie B.

All is well.