Core spun yarn cotton outer
Polyester innerFalse seam SelvedgeCLASSIC BOAT AUGUST 2016COTTON SAILS FOR PATNA
48yarns may be balanced equally. The mainsails of
Victorian sailing vessels were usually vertical cut.
Having evolved from working sails, if a seam split, the
main could still be managed, whereas the later practice
of cross cutting, particularly for yachts, meant a split
seam could render the mainsail unusable. Having
superior air flow, cross cut sails became virtually
universal during the 1920s for racing yachts, but many
cruising and working boats retained vertical cut sails.
In finalising requirements for a new suit of sails for
Patna, we were advised by sailmaker Steve Hall of
North Sea Sails, in Tollesbury, Essex. Steve gained
experience working in key sail lofts on the East Coast,
including with sailmaker Gayle Heard, specialising in
fine handwork and using natural materials. Steve
agreed to make a new suit of cotton sails for Patna and
J&D Wilkie instigated the manufacture of several
experimental bolts of core spun cloth in different
weights to trial on Patna.
The sailcloth, which we have named Patna Cloth, can
be made in any weight, but for Patna was commissioned
in 17oz, for main and staysail, 14oz for jibs and mizzen,
12oz for tops’ls and 9oz for light air sails.
The new samples were shown discreetly to Steve’s ‘old
timer’ sailmaker friends, enlisting nods of approval for
its tight weave, strength and even texture.
Before having the bulk of the sails made, North Sea
Sails made Patna a new mizzen, which we tried out
during the summer of 2014. This was a success, the sail
showing no sign of stretch or mildew, setting well andClockwise from
top left: Steve
Hall of North Sea
Sails; false seam
and selvedge; the
new headsail;
core spun yarn
with cotton outerretaining its shape. It has to be said, however, that this
was the Mediterranean, hot with light airs and relatively
few downpours. A gentle test, yet it was convincing
enough to persuade us to have the full suit made, ready
for the 2015 season, except the tops’ls, which would
require measuring after the new main had settled.
The arrival of the beautifully tailored canvas was
thrilling, the neatly folded sails pungent with the aroma
of fresh new cotton and displaying impeccable
craftsmanship. It was imperative to bend and stretch the
new sails for a few days in dry and light air conditions,
before heading for Barcelona from Soller, Mallorca,
where the yacht had spent the winter.
For the passage we found that the old stays’l, fitted
upsidedown, made a serviceable tops’l, but having no
spinnaker Patna was not competitive for the racing at
the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona. The event organisers,
though, encouraged us to join in as a cruising boat
with the racers, giving plenty of opportunity to test the
new sails. Winning the Concours d’Elegance later in
the season at Monaco Classic Week was real cause for
celebration. Perhaps the fresh, natural cotton sails
inspired a greater appreciation of authenticity?Patna Cloth could be supplied in several different
weights if there is sufficient interest. To make an
enquiry contact J&D Wilkie Ltd.
Tel 44+(0) 1575 572 [email protected]
Steve Hall, North Sea Sails, specialises in cotton and
flax canvas work for traditional sails. Tel 01621 869 367.