Sail Magazine

by Win Fowler

Win Fowler has built sails for America’s Cup boats, coastal cruisers and one-design racers

Ask Sail: Vanged if You Do

by Win Fowler, Posted May 1, 2013

One thing I need to install is a liferaft, and I may want to put it on the coachroof right behind the mast, but the solid boom vang prevents this.

This past summer I purchased a used Valiant 40 with rod rigging. Though the rigging is about 20 years old, the seller assured me he recently had it reheaded and that it should last several more years.

Ask Sail: Recycled Sails

by Win Fowler, Posted January 28, 2013

I am considering buying used sails for my 1985 Beneteau First 38. I’d like to find some sails from another Beneteau First 38, but if I can’t, what should I look for?

Ask Sail: To Snuff or Furl

by Win Fowler, Posted December 14, 2012

I just purchased a 1983 Bristol 38.8 with a large sail inventory, including a nice big cruising spinnaker. Apparently the old owner flew it out of the bag, which isn’t something I’m anxious to try. What would you recommend to make the sail easier to handle?

Ask Sail: Sailcloth Woes

by Win Fowler, Posted September 20, 2012

Do you know of a process that could reduce the stiffness of my sail? I have been told I should try lazyjacks, the Dutchman system or in-boom furling, but none of these appeal to me.

A Staysail for Racing

by Win Fowler, Posted August 27, 2012

Ask Sail: I own a 1973 C&C 30. It came with a staysail, which I have never flown. We typically use a mainsail, jib and spinnaker. We race frequently, and I am wondering if the boat would be faster with the staysail on.

Boom Modification

by Win Fowler, Posted June 14, 2012

I have a 1968 Bristol, and the mainsheet block is fastened to the boom with a swivel on a threaded bolt that fits into the boom end-fitting, which also serves as the attachment point for the outhaul. I cannot find a replacement for the fitting anywhere, and it is showing its age. Any ideas on where to look?

Ask Sail: Boom Raising

by Win Fowler, Posted May 3, 2012

I have a 30-foot C&C. The boom on this boat is too low for a standard vang; instead it has to be rigged to the toerail. The mast has a female internal track that receives round slugs. I’ve lived with the rig, but it is growing old. Can I raise up the boom with this type of mast track to make room for a vang?

Ask Sail: Flying Jib

by Win Fowler, Posted March 14, 2012

When sailing my Baltic 35 I usually fly a large 140 percent genoa on a roller furler. When the wind gets too strong, however, I find it is too big to roller-reef efficiently. The boat also came with an 80 percent working jib that I’ve never used.

Asymmetric Ambitions

by Win Fowler, Posted August 24, 2011

Richard Roach of Youngstown, Ohio, asks: "I have a 1988 Freedom 30 with an unstayed carbon-fiber mast. What risk do I run of harming my mast if I fly a small full-hoist drifter or asymmetric spinnaker? I occasionally attach the tack of my lightweight genoa to the bow pulpit (where the spinnaker pole is normally mounted in a canister designed to hold it) and hoist it