We continue to look at sails with a review of a new book Maximum Sail Power by Brian Hancock (Nomad Press, 2003) 353 Pages $ 44.95. Hancock does an excellent job of covering many aspects of sails from purchasing, cloth, technology and repair. This book will make an excellent pre purchase education. Next week we’ll look at the types of cloth modern sails are made of.

Maybe you’ve repaired a sail? Perhaps even while underway. Have you repaired a sail while aloft in a bosuns chair? Not just slapped sticky back on the sail, but sewed with needle and thread? That’s one of the experiences Brian Hancock has to draw on in Maximum Sail Power.

Hancock sets up his book around a hypothetical visit to the sailmkaer. This first chapter is a little uneven. He says “old fashioned service is gone, unless of course you’re spending upwards of fifty thousands dollars.” I’d take issue with this. There are many small lofts that while carrying brand names such as UK, North etc. are really one man gangs. These folks earn their money via commission and will provide wonderful in-person service.

There are two other strong points made in his first chapter. One is that boat information is extremely important if you having a sail built. Coming from someone who works in the industry, the more information you can provide about your boat’s model, engine model, etc. the better things will go for you.

Also he makes the point that “an educated customer is a sailmaker’s best customer.” Here, here!

Will reading this book make you an educated sail buyer? Yes, and in several ways.

One item that you can learn about is the cloth that sails are made of. I’ve ready many an article and book on just how to adjust trim, but few that tell you as much about cloth as this book does.

First the individual fabrics such as dacron, kevlar and pbo are covered. The next chapter then covers how modern fabrics are made into sail cloth. There are several types of weaving and laminating and even cuben fiber which is literally a trade secret.

Often utilized are case studies. Hancock lays out the needs of certain folks. One example has to do with high latitude sailing, the other with the Cape to Rio race. I don’t know how helpful these will be to the average sailor.

The book is thorough and covers all aspects of the sail wardrobe. There’s an entire chapter on storm sails. One point well made is that you should get your trysail and storm jib out of the bag and fit them. Much easier to do this before the storm than during!

The working staysail gets a lot of positive ink. While this can be a useful sail, again I’m not sure how this will benefit of a lot of the sailors I am familiar with. They tend towards use of a sole roller furling headsail. I don’t see many folks who are primarily daysailors adding a working staysail to their Catalina 30. Practical advice but for a limited audience probably reflecting the many ocean passages Hancock has done.

There’s even a chapter on repairs and repair kits. While using the book as an on the job reference I found that it lacks information on sail cleaning. This is a popular question from my customers.

Maximum Sail Power may not rise to the level of masterpiece, but it does fill the bill as a reference work that’s better written and more interesting than most.

Share or bookmark this story: