Our current OK program started after the 2019 Worlds in Auckland. Luke O’Connell and Steve McDowell called a meeting at the local pub to discuss optimising a sail design for them.

The points were that it had to be a one sail program as they had seen too many people caught out with the wrong sail for the conditions.

They weren’t concerned about performance above 20 knots. Racing in this condition is becoming rarer and they both felt that they were fine in that anyway (sailing at Worser Bay will do that!)

Sailing in a large fleet sucks away the wind for everyone. 12 knots feels like 10. The thought here was that the sail has to be able to power up if needed.

We next had an evening measuring all the sails that they had, discussing what was good and bad about each one. From that we produced a test sail, which got used a few times and was modified as suggested.

The results were solid. Steve won a few Nationals, dominated the local fleet, and had several top 10 finishes at the Worlds. Interest grew, and by late 2024 we decided to go into production. Since then, there’s been steady demand from the NZ fleet.

The design is quite moderate if I was going to sum it up. We have a good handle on the mast bend numbers vs the accurate luff round cut into the sail.

We settled on a panel layout of radial head and clew with a crosscut mid section. We have noticed that two sails built from the same mould, but with different panel layouts, produce completely different sails. The design software has to make assumptions and sails with seams in different positions may have wildly differing shapes. Our panel layout has been consistent and we pride ourselves on the fact that the final product is also very consistent. The cloth we have chosen is Contender 2.99 Polykote.

The detailing is well thought out:

Battens are leech tapered and fitted to the sail with velcro, nice and clean.

Clew slug and headboard positions are precise.

No unnecessary leech cord.

Draft stripes display accurate shape and make analysis possible.

Foot shelf is nylon and 250mm at the widest point.

Price NZ$1800+GST