Adventure sailing.
And the sails to get you there.
Remote waters take away the safety net. No marina, no chandlery, no sailmaker a day's sail away. The decisions you make before you leave are the ones you live with at sea. These guides are how you make them well.
Remote waters change everything.
A coastal sailor who tears a seam calls a loft on Monday. Eight hundred miles offshore, that same seam is a problem you solve yourself, with what you carried and what you know.
Field guides for the long way round.
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The complete framework for planning a wardrobe for remote waters, and what to carry when the nearest loft is weeks away.
Read the guideDacron is a brand name, not a specification. Learn what your sail is actually made from, and the questions that separate a decade offshore from two bagged-out seasons.
Read the guideBuying a second-hand boat? The wardrobe is the primary propulsion system. This is how to read its real condition before you sign.
Read the guideWhen you're the only sailmaker aboard, a torn seam is yours to fix. The stitches, the kit, and the field repairs that hold up in a seaway.
Read the guideTools without materials fix nothing. The complete offshore repair kit, organised so nothing essential gets left on the dock.
Read the guideYou don't have to invent your own safety system. A plain-language walk through World Sailing's Offshore Special Regulations, and how to get the real thing free.
Read the guideAdventure sailing, answered.
What sails do I need for an offshore passage?
A passage wardrobe is planned around your route and how long you'll be out, not bought a sail at a time. You want sails that cover a wide wind range, hold their shape under sustained load, and can be handled short-handed.
What is the most durable sailcloth for ocean cruising?
Woven polyester, often called Dacron, has the longest track record offshore because it holds shape, resists UV reasonably well, and can be repaired by hand at sea. Grade, weave, resin and finish matter more than the brand name.
How do I know if a used boat's sails are any good?
Ask for the sail invoices, inspect the cloth and stitching on the dock, and sail the boat to windward to see where the draft sits. A photograph of a loaded mainsail tells a sailmaker most of what they need to know.
Can you really repair a sail at sea?
Yes, and on a remote passage you often have to. Most failures are seams and small tears that a hand-sewn repair will hold. The key is carrying the right kit and knowing the stitches before you need them.
Do cruisers need to follow the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations?
You are not required to if you are not racing, but they are the most complete, tested offshore safety standard available, and cruisers use them as a preparation checklist. Responsibility for the boat always stays with the person in charge.
Not sure where your wardrobe stands?
Tell us about your boat, where you're going, and how you sail. We'll talk it through before anyone mentions a quote.
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