Snark has six sails; main, mizzen, foresail, jib, jib topsail, topsail. Together they measure over 2150 sq ft of canvas; an awesome sight. In our sea trials she has proved so well balanced that Qiao, the helm for the day, could leave the wheel and Snark sailed herself effortlessly to windward.
Why aren't they red? Well all traditional sails started off natural and they only became red when the canvas was dressed with red oxide and oil to protect the natural fibres. These days we use artificial fibres for the canvas which is UV resistant and the dressing is unnecessary. The sails can be lighter and more carefully cut, as are these beautiful sails from James Lawrence Sailmakers.
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