Mega Yacht Sails

Large yacht sails pose a variety of challenges and Quantum’s Cape Town loft has become an acknowledged world leader in facing up to these challenges.

The size and weight of mega-yacht sails have led to innovations in sail handling technology with Quantum being at the forefront of development in partnership with various boat builders, mast makers and riggers. Experience gained from working together with companies such as Southern Wind Shipyards has led to the perfection of fully battened in-boom furling mainsails. The development of this system has allowed large yachts to easily and safely manage high performance sails with smaller crews. Quantum has provided sails for the Southern Wind yachts since the late 1990’s, ranging from their early 72 foot Farr designs, through to the latest generation 100 footers, and this has allowed a continuous analysis and development of the big boat sail programme. Yachts such as these are designed for high performance cruising and demand powerful but easily handled sails. In addition to in-boom furling this is now leading to demand for Quantum’s proprietary Fusion M membrane sail technology both for its performance and its weight saving, up to 20% in some cases. Quantum Cape Town has invested heavily in the latest technology for producing custom made isostrain laminated sails and has the ability to build sails for the world’s largest yachts.

Developments in rigging technology have allowed Quantum to develop furling Code 0’s for large yachts as well as incorporating soft clew rings into mega-yacht jib clews. Soft clews further reduce weight as well as minimising wear and tear when a sail flogs while being furled. Lashing the sheets to a soft clew reduces chafe and increases safety for the crew.

For large classic yachts the look and cut of the sails can be as important as the weight and performance requirements of the modern yacht. Cruising around the world are a variety of classic and spirit-of-tradition mega-yachts, often with unique rigging and sail requirements. One such yacht is the 147 foot schooner Aschanti IV. With her gaff rigged fore- and mainsails, topsails and a variety of staysails and jibs she drew on Quantum’s experience of employing modern materials and techniques to create a suit of durable cruising sails with an authentic classic look. In the case of the Hoek designed Truly Classic yachts, Velacarina and Hartbeat, a different approach has been used where a classic feel has been created on a modern design through thorough research on hull and rig plans

Durability is also the primary requirement of large expedition and round the world racing yachts. The entire fleet of ten 68 foot yachts built for the Clipper Round the World Race have had their sails provided by Quantum South Africa. With Craig Millar, one of the top skippers in the last Clipper Round the World Race, managing Quantum’s Durban loft, we are able to draw directly on first hand experience of the special requirements of this type of sailing. Yachts competing in the Clipper Round the World Race are penalised for sail damage so demand rugged but efficient sails. As a one design fleet the boats are all equipped with identical sails, a fact ensured by Quantum’s advanced design and cutting tools. Perhaps an even more demanding yacht when looking at the issue of durability is the 72 foot Pelagic Australis, Skip Novak’s Antarctic expedition charter yacht. This yacht is designed and built to operate unassisted and unsupported in the most hostile sailing environment surrounding the Antarctic. With a full suit of Quantum Sails, Pelagic Australis has sailed tens of thousands of miles through blizzards and storms.