With the new season fast approaching, Quantum Sails Ireland has just announced a new 10% spring discount for sails ordered by the end of March. An average delivery time of 8 weeks allows sails to be delivered before most boats go afloat.

Already Quantum sails have made a big impact in Ireland with an increased market share each year, with race boats such as Samatom, Grand Soleil 44, Aja, the Cape 31, Ghostraider J/111, Indian, Something else, Tighy Boy, Artful Dodger (all J/109s), Jelly Baby (J122) all using Quantum sails for racing, among others.

From left at the start of an April ISORA race at Dun Laoghaire Harbour; Norbert Reilly’s new J 111, Ghostraider, Simon Knowles J109 Indian and Emmet Sheridan’s Dufour 45. All three boats are sporting new Quantum race sails in 2023 Photo: Afloat

Of course, racing is only part of the picture, with cruising boats all over Ireland springing up with new Quantum upwind and downwind sails.

Mark Mansfield, Quantum Sails Ireland, outlines a combination of a quality product, competitive pricing and a great knowledgeable and personal service provided by himself and Yannick Lemonnier that brings new clients to Quantum Sails in Ireland.

A Quantum Fusion M6 Mainsail for a 42 footer laid out in the Galway loft

Avail now of this period and take advantage of this 10% discount on what is already very competitive pricing. Contact Mark or Yannick for a quote. Contact details below.

Late Summer and early Autumn can be the quietest times for sailmakers' production as most of the sails for the current season have been delivered, and the winter orders are not yet in. As a result, this can be the most competitive time to order a new sail.

Quantum Sails Ireland has announced a 10% discount will now be available for the next two months, till the end of September, for new orders, apart from one design sails.

With pricing on new sails generally increasing, ordering now will save on price increases that most likely will come in the new year.

Quantum Sails Ireland has grown its market share considerably over the last few years by offering top-quality racing and cruising sails at competitive prices. We have a full-size sail loft for repairs and servicing.

If you are thinking of new sails, contact Mark Mansfield or Yannick Lemonnier to organise a Quote or for some advice. You will not be disappointed.

Please contact us for advice and quotes

Mark Mansfield: [email protected] Tel 087 2506838
Yannick Lemonnier: [email protected] Tel: 087 628 9854

Mark Mansfield from Quantum Sails Ireland goes through the main changes in IRC for the 2023 season

The annual IRC review has been completed by the RORC/UNCL, which govern the rules of the biggest rating rule in sailing.

There have been many changes, but some are small and pretty insignificant. The main changes for 2023 are as follows.

1. A yacht can now have two rating certificates, so for example, if a boat likes to carry three spinnakers inshore, but five spinnakers offshore, she no longer needs to change her handicap—she can have two certs covering both options for the season. Some conditions apply and only certain data can change.

2. Stored power for hoisting mainsail, or reefing or adjusting furling jibs, no longer needs to be declared on the cert. Not really a big issue, as there was no penalty for this before. There still will be penalties for using stored power for trimming sails, operating winches etc.

AJA Cape 31 from Howth with Quantum Fusion M7 Main and Superkote A2 spinnaker Photo: Afloat

For the 2024 season, The IRC Committee have decided on the following changes, which will not come into effect this year.

a. From 2024, for boats with an endorsed certificate, sail measurement stamps will be required on all sails. Most sails currently already have them. This is to ensure it is easier to see what sails a boat has on board and will help police the following rule change below.

b. From 2024, boats will need to declare the number of Jibs on board, similar to the rule for spinnakers. A base number of Jibs will not affect the rating, and these figures have yet to be agreed. Storm jibs are not included. So, for instance, if they determine that 4 jibs are base, if you have 5, you will be penalised. Likewise, if you have only 2 jibs, you will have a reduced rating. This rule is primarily aimed at offshore boats that carry many staysails, flying jibs, blast reachers etc. However, as you are now allowed two ratings, it will be possible inshore for a boat that normally carries 4 jibs to reduce the number for specific events with their 2nd rating, where you may know what the wind conditions will be. If it was a light wind forecast, boats might just use a J1 and a J2, so her second cert maybe this 2-jib option.

Quantum Sails Ireland can help you optimise your boat for IRC in 2023, or can provide a quote for sails. Give Mark Mansfield an e-mail or call at [email protected] or at 087 250 6838.

The full changes to the IRC rule can be viewed here

Quantum Sails Ireland congratulate their clients on their successes in the 2022 WIORA Championships.

Eight of the 24 boats in the fleet were powered by Quantum Sails — with five boats fully equipped. Between them they racked up five podiums and one overall victory.

Class 1 was the most represented with four boats out of five featuring Quantum Sails. Liam Burke’s Farr 31 Tribal won overall in Class 1, with John Gordon’s X-332 X-Rated in second equipped with an M5 (Technora/carbon) racing membrane jib and mainsail.

The X-332 Jimmy Bump from the Cronin family came third, equipped with an M6 grey cruising membrane mainsail which helped achieve a great performance for their first championship.

The under-25s crew of Tadgh O’Loingsigh’s J/24 Janx with their spoils

Class 3 had only one Quantum representative but it was the best from a results standpoint: Tadgh O’Loingsigh’s J/24 Janx, with an under-25s crew, won not only their class but also the West Coast Championship.

Ed Enright’s Beneteau 375 Liberty was equipped with a full set of cruising laminate CDX from Contender

In Class 4 Div A, the Beneteau 375 Liberty from Ed Enright was equipped with a full set of cruising laminate CDX from Contender, which comes with long-lasting material in white and grey to give a racing look. His mainsail is rolled into a Profurl boom furler, a good system compared to in mast furling as it allows a more powerful mainsail.

The cutter Sally O’Keeffe was equipped with a full set of tan Dacron traditional sails

And in Class 4 Div B, the traditional cutter boat Sally O’Keeffe from Steve Morris came second in class. It was equipped with a full set of tan Dacron traditional sails including a top sail and a large jib that could be compared to a modern Code 0.

Quantum Sails Ireland are also delighted to announce that seasonal discounts have now started — get in touch with Yannick or Mark for a quote:

Yannick Lemonnier
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 087 628 9854

Mark Mansfield
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 087 250 6838

Like many industries, sailmakers are experiencing delays in delivery in the last few months due to sailcloth delays, transport delays and many other issues. However, Mark Mansfield from Quantum Sails Ireland says the loft has some decent stocks available and spinnakers, in particular, can be supplied quite quickly.

New A2 Superkote Spinnaker for J 109 Something Else

So if you are thinking of upping your performance for the second part of the season, and your present spinnaker is soft and retains a lot of water, maybe now is the time to raid the bank account and come out with a shiny new kite that will set quicker, be faster when full, and not run the same risk of tearing.

Older spinnakers are not as quick or efficient for various reasons:

1. When soft and limp, they are slow to set when hoisted.
2. An old spinnaker eventually becomes porous, and the wind works its way through the cloth, so less pulling power.
3. A shiny spinnaker will gybe easier, particularly with asymmetric spinnakers, where the spinnaker slides along itself.
4. If an old spinnaker goes even partly in the water, it will act like a sponge and drag the rest in, whereas a new shiny spinnaker often just 'dances' on top of the water.
5. An older spinnaker is much more likely to tear or blow out, as the threads joining the sail and the cloth itself start to fail due to age.
6. Finally replacing a spinnaker offers the opportunity of changing the size required, so maybe going larger if a little underpowered downwind, or perhaps going smaller to make it more manageable and lower the rating. Perhaps even a change of shape can be accommodated so an old full running spinnaker could be replaced with a more all-round radial spinnaker.

A fisheye lens view of a new Carbon M6 Mainsail and S2 spinnaker on Emmet Sheridan's Dufour 45 Blaoga on Dublin Bay

For a quote for a new spinnaker, or indeed any sail, Mark Mansfield can be contacted at [email protected] Tel 087 2506838

Some further information on what spinnaker cloth to select is contained in a previous article here

New J122e into Ireland headed for Arklow. Her sails this year will include a new Quantum A2, A3, both Superkote and a Quantum M7 Carbon J2(see above).

As I reported in November, top results have been coming hard and fast for Quantum Sails clients in events such as the TP52, RC44, Club Swan 50, Melges 32, Club Swan 36 and other international classes, where boats with Quantum Sails are winning some of these important World Championships.

It is no surprise then that this has translated into orders for new sails from the racing community in Ireland. Quantum Sails Ireland has had tremendously strong Autumn and Winter sales so far, with orders from all parts of the country.

Owners understand that our sails are fast, our product durable, and our pricing is competitive. In particular, the competitive large and middle-sized race boat owners seem to be looking to Quantum as a great alternative.

Recently, we have agreed on some sails for the Grand Soleil 44 Samatom, which won the Sovereign's Cup last year. Also in Howth, we have a full suit of sails ordered for a new Cape 31.

We have some new sails for a J/122e that also just arrived into Howth and, in addition, new upwind sails for a well known J/109 in Dublin.

New Quantum sails are going on the J122 Kaya, which won the ICRA Nationals overall last September, plus a host of other race boats from Cork, Kinsale, Fenit, Waterford, Greystones, Arklow, Galway, Northern Ireland and other areas.

The new Cape 31 design

In addition, our strong position with cruising boat owners continues, with many cruising owners opting for more upmarket sail and construction choices.

Quantum's Galway sail loft

We have a full-sized loft in Galway where sails can be inspected fully opened out, and any work needing to be done can happen quickly.

This is an excellent advantage to us, as owners can send in existing sails to be inspected and repaired with the benefit of viewing the sails fully laid out. Not every sailmaker in Ireland can offer this full-size loft option.

In the Galway Quantum Loft a J122 Fusion M7 J1 Headsail is inspected before heading off to the new owner of the J/122 Kaya in Cork

With the sailing season looming, sails can still be ordered for Spring 2022, with delivery on new orders generally only taking circa 8/9 weeks from receipt of a deposit.

For enquiries on new race or cruising sails, contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or by phone at 00 353 87 2506838

Mark Mansfield of Quantum Sails Ireland on the factors to consider when building a downwind inventory

Quantum's speciality line of high-performing downwind reaching and running sails are versatile, easy to trim, and tailored to the unique characteristics of your boat and your type of sailing. They're designed with the goal of helping you get the most out of your experience and your time on the water.

REACHING SAILS

Sometimes referred to as "code zeros" or "code sails," the category of reaching sails gets confusing quickly as the term can apply to a broad range of sails. To simplify and clear up any confusion, Quantum developed its line of reaching sails around the target apparent wind angles. After all, this is how we actually sail! Our three sail options are defined by possible apparent wind angle and overall optimum range. Each reaching sail line is available with a traditional torsional cable or as an XC cableless sail with a structured luff.

XC REACHING CABLE-LESS OPTIONS

More than four years ago, racing sail designers began experimenting with ways to remove the traditional torsion cable used in the luff to not only enable furling reaching sails but also to reduce headstay sag and achieve superior performance in a wider range of angles. Quantum led the way in structured luff or cableless technology with the successful Maxi 72 class. This technology has been refined and enhanced to make it accessible to racers and cruisers alike. While not practical for all downwind sails, Quantum's XC structured luff technology and designs are great for reaching applications like the AWA 40, 60, and 80, and are available in membrane or tri-radial construction to meet the needs of any sailor.

Click here to learn more about our XC reaching sails.

GREATER BOAT SPEED & WIDER ANGLES

Quantum's XC reaching sails have more luff projection to weather and more twist (five to 10 degrees) compared to traditional reaching sails and other cable-less designs on the market. The superior performance is a result of a straighter, more stable leech and a flatter exit, both contributing to an increase in drive in all conditions but not overpowering the boat in heavy-air reaching. And because there is less surplus material along the leech, there is less backwinding of the mainsail, which creates less drag when sailing close to the wind.

RUNNING SAILS

Downwind sails fall into two categories: reaching and running. For broad angles, Quantum's line of spinnakers fits the bill. Quantum's A3 is an all-purpose asymmetrical spinnaker and covers the mid-range, while the A2 is designed specifically for broad-reaching and running performance. 

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: MID-GIRTH, DEPTH, & THE BALANCE BETWEEN LUFF & LEECH AREA

Understandably, sail size is a critical design feature. The optimum foot length for any downwind sail is a function of aspect ratio or the height (luff) versus width (foot). When too tall and skinny, the sail won't be stable. Too wide and short, and the sail will not twist properly to achieve the right flying shape. No matter what type of downwind sail you are building, you have to start with the correct aspect ratio for the boat's rig proportions. This is what dictates size. The next consideration is the girth of the sail halfway up; this is known as the mid-girth. The smaller the mid-girth, the more genoa-like the sail becomes and more capable at closer apparent wind angles. Bigger mid-girths equal wider apparent wind angles. At the small end of the spectrum, genoa will have a mid-girth of around 50%; at the top end, a running asymmetrical spinnaker will have a mid-girth of over 100%. Quantum's AWA 40, 60, and 80 cover everything in between.
Overall depth is another important variable. A flatter sail means closer apparent wind angles and a fuller sail means broader angles. As a sail gets wider mid-girth, additional depth is necessary to support the area so that the sail will hold its shape and not just flap at the edges.

An A4 Spinnaker on the J/109 Something Else last week when winning DBSC's Class One Training Race

The final variable to consider is the amount of area outside the straight-line luff and leech. For close apparent wind angles, the luff will be straight and any additional girth will be in the back end. As you design for wider apparent wind angles, this balance gradually changes, with more of the sail's width shifted to the front end. A running sail has a significant amount of area forward of the straight-line luff. When the sheet is eased, this area moves past the centerline and projects to windward. This is what allows the sail to perform in broad apparent wind angles.

DOWNWIND SAIL HANDLING

BOTTOM-UP FURLERS

Bottom-up furling systems work the same way as conventional headsail roller furling systems. The tack is fixed to the drum at the bottom. As the drum turns, the track winds around the cable or the structured part of the luff instead of an aluminum foil. The sail furls from bottom to top. Bottom-up units are a perfect option for the genoa-like AWA 40 and 60 reaching sails, as the top of the sail is not too wide. The mid-girth should be around 50% and generally no larger than 60-65%.

TOP-DOWN FURLERS

As downwind sails get bigger and the mid-girth increases, it becomes harder to get the top of the sail to furl if you start from the bottom. With top-down furlers, the head is attached directly to the swivel, and the tack is secured to a free-rotating fitting on the drum. As the furling line is pulled, the tack lags behind and the sail furls from the head to the tack, capturing the hard-to-furl top sections first.

SPINNAKER SOCKS

No matter how well the furling system works, there are still limits. Full size broad-reaching and running spinnakers have mid-girths of as much as 100% and are very deep. Even with a top-down further, these can be problematic to furl. As a rough guideline, if the mid- girth is over 88-90% of the foot length, all bets are off—it might furl, it might not. As a result, a spinnaker sock is the better, more reliable option. In fact, it is also a good option for any full size asymmetrical spinnakers, even if you do have the ability to furl it. Also in the plus column for spinnaker socks, they are more cost-effective.

MATERIALS:

NYLON VERSUS COMPOSITES

For more traditional asymmetrical spinnaker sails such as the A3 and A2, nylon continues to be the best material, but it is not necessarily the best choice for the new generation of specialized reaching sails. In order to handle higher loads at closer apparent wind angles, a stronger material is needed. The best material choice is based on boat size, righting moment, and target apparent wind angle. In some cases, the best option could be as simple as a heavier nylon or polyester spinnaker cloth, but often a composite material with more strength and durability is the better choice. Quantum's proprietary Fusion M™ tri-radial construction process is used to create the ultimate custom structure for membrane reaching sails. Quantum collaborated with industry leaders to develop a range of composite materials specifically for high load reaching sail applications.

BOAT CHARACTERISTICS

A boat's design has a big impact on which downwind sail option is right for each sailor. For more traditional cruising boats with large foretriangles and overlapping headsails, reaching angles are well served by a large genoa. An A2 or A3 rounds out your sail inventory to cover the broader angles. Conversely, modern boat designs tend toward small foretriangles with non-overlapping jibs. These smaller headsails lack the punch of their larger genoa cousins when it comes to reaching. AWA 40, 60, or 80 reaching sails fill this gap. Some other questions to address when determining your boat's best sail options: Is there a bowsprit? Is the boat a multihull? Where are you sailing? How fit and enthusiastic is your crew? Quantum's experts can help you sort these and other questions to make sure you get the perfect downwind sail option for you and your goals.

ONBOARD

DOWNWIND SAIL CARE

Even underway, it's always preferable and recommended to lower and properly pack and store downwind sails whenever they're not in use or won't be used for an extended period of time. Most of the time, a properly furled and protected downwind sail can be safely left hoisted and ready to go, assuming the conditions are relatively benign. However, if it gets windy, it's best to take down furled downwind sails. Unlike a furled working headsail, a furled downwind sail is not supported by a fixed furling system and can easily start to unfurl in strong winds. Aside from not using a UV cover, leaving a furled downwind sail up is the fastest way to shorten your sail's lifespan − or flat-out ruin it. No matter the conditions, at the dock or mooring, Quantum recommends never leaving the boat with a freestanding furled downwind sail aloft!
Check out Quantum's Onboard Sail Care video series for more tips on protecting your sails.

For quotes or queries, contact

Mark Mansfield: [email protected] Tel 087 250 6838
Yannick Lemonnier: [email protected] Tel: 087 628 9854