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.