A First 36.7 flying the latest generation of Checkmate
Kevlar Smoke sails
The successful J105 Moontiger flying her Banks Sails
Exabyte 2 (IMX 40)
Andy, Brian and Ed en route to second place in the
Sonar Class at the IFDS World Championship
Thunder 2 (Mills 37)
Keith Taylor adds the finishing touches to Adix's
Asymmetric while our laser cutter works away in the background.
Adix's Asymmetric is flaked down along its 27m foot.
Xplorer (X-332)
Grand Soleil 40
Adix
Contender Sailcloth's Stormlite polyester |
2002 was a busy twelve months for Fandango -
catch up with what the year held for David Scanlan and his crew
on our Fandango minisite.
13.12
Banks Sails at the London Boat Show
Come and visit Banks Sails at the forthcoming London International
Boat Show to discuss your sails needs for next season. We are
situated on Stand 290A on the second level. Our experienced
staff will be on hand to talk you through the various sail options
whether you are looking for a new Carbon Mainsail for your 45-foot
racer or a Fully Battened Cruising Mainsail for your 25-foot
cruiser.
During 2002 Banks Sails have been successful at many regattas
and boats with our sails have scored class wins at events including
the Warsash Spring Series, RORC Easter Challenge, Ford Cork
Week, Round The Island Race and Hamble Winter Series. At the
Rolex Commodores Cup the top performing British boat was equipped
with a full suit of Banks Sails. For advice on how we can improve
your performance for 2003 come and see us!
We will be offering special Boat Show prices on all yacht, one
design and dinghy sails. If you cannot make it to the Show you
can still take advantage of our special prices by calling us
on 0207 2443094 or contact the loft on 01489 582444.
12.12
Banks Sails Win Prestigious Order For
New Solent Based One Design Fleet
Following a meeting earlier today with John Horn, principal
of Five Star Sailing, Banks Sails are pleased to announce that
they have been chosen to supply the sails for Five Star's new
fleet of J109s. The boats will arrive in the UK from early February
2003 and each will be equipped with a matched suit of sails
comprising a Checkmate Cruise Laminate Mainsail and Furling
Jib and a Series 2000 All Purpose Asymmetric Spinnaker.
In 1997 Banks Sails produced sails for Five Star's fleet of
First Class 8s and John reported that these sails have lasted
incredibly well. "We ordered the sails for the J109s based
on build quality, service and price," said John when confirming
his order with Roger Cerrato of Banks Sails.
Watch out for the boats on the water in 2003 where a full season
is planned including special one-design events as well as participating
in the traditional Solent racing calendar. With their 110m2
Asymmetric Spinnakers in the Five Star corporate colours of
Lilac and Gold the fleet will certainly be difficult to miss!
Banks Sails' chief sail designer Hugh Myers commented "…we
have extensive experience of producing matched suits of yacht
sails and have supplied these to many organisations including
the RYA, Sunsail, Sea Ventures, the Teachers Round Britain Challenge,
the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Lymington Yacht Club
as well as Five Star themselves". Hugh continued on to
say that "…the sail designs for the J109s will be
based on our successful J105 shapes but modified to suit the
different characteristics of the J109".
For further details of the sails or what Banks Sails can do
for your boat or fleet contact Hugh Myers on 01489 582444
or email roger@banks.co.uk.
To find out how to get involved with the only new matched fleet
of race charter boats on the Solent for 2003 call Five Star
Sailing now on 01489 885599.
22.11
New IMX40 Spinnaker Proves A Success
During early October we produced a new Series
2000 VMG Spinnaker for Shaun Frohlich's IMX 40 Exabyte 2 (left).
The sail, designed by Hugh Myers, is a development of the spinnaker
used so successfully by the First 40.7 Fandango during the predominantly
light winds of this year's Rolex Commodores Cup. With conditions
since then having been regularly windy it was Sunday 17 November
and Race 5 of the Tyco Healthcare Hamble Winter Series before
the sail was used in anger.
Sunday's race was held in a light North Westerly breeze and,
with a strong west going tide for the majority of the race,
the long downwind legs were critical. Exabyte 2 rounded the
first mark slightly ahead of the following IRC 1 pack but once
the new spinnaker was up and set the lead extended dramatically.
The final result was a very happy skipper and crew and a win
by nearly 6 minutes on corrected time from Peter Moreton's Sydney
36 Salvo. In his post-race debrief tactician Stephen White commented:
"Nice new spinnaker... More light air from the wind gods
please!"
To find out how a new Banks spinnaker can transform your downwind
performance call Hugh Myers at
the loft now on 01489 582444, and don’t forget to ask about
our special winter prices!
2.10
Banks Sails success at IFDS World Championship
Andy Cassell, from our sister loft Ratsey &
Lapthorn, sailing with Brian Harding and Ed Suckling (left)
today secured an excellent second overall in the Sonar class
at the IFDS World Championship. Andy finished the regatta on
28 points, close behind the German winner Jens Kroker on 27.
Andy, sailing with a full suit of Banks Sails developed in conjunction
with our chief designer Hugh Myers, showed excellent boatspeed
throughout the regatta in the 23-strong fleet to score 1,2,6,4,3,8,(11),2,2.
In fact Andy and his crew were the only team without more than
one result outside the top ten.
For full details of our Sonar sails call Hugh
Myers on 01489 582444.
24.7
Banks Sails downwind superiority shows at Cork
Speaking after their victory in IRC 0 at this
year's Ford Cork Week, Donald Wilks, helmsman aboard Robbie
Boulter's Mills 37 Thunder 2 (left), commented:
"The Tesco Bag (crew nickname for their Series 2000 AP
Asymmetric) was used on all downwind legs, in which under 8
knots enabled us to sail lower and faster than the symmetric
boats. Gloves Off spent their whole regatta getting enough time
upwind, only for us to obliterate their lead downwind. So Banks
Sails played a major part in our victory".
For the record Thunder 2 was racing with a upwind sails from
another loft. To find out how a Banks spinnaker can give you
a performance advantage call Hugh Myers
now on 01489 582444.
4.7
Fandango chosen for Commodore's Cup Team
David Scanlan's Banks Sails powered First 40.7 Fandango has
been selected to represent England at the Rolex Commodores'
Cup which will be held from Cowes from the 11th to the 18th
of August.
More
2.5
Wayfarer Race success
Congratulations to John Wardrop, who recently
won the Bewl Valley SC Open onboard Beefeater. "I wanted
you to know just how delighted I am with [my sails]," he
said. "I am now a complete convert to Banks Sails."
Find out more about our Wayfarer Race sails here.
22.4
New Asymmetric Spinnaker completed
We have recently completed the new Asymmetric
Spinnaker (left) for the famous three masted schooner Adix which
we have been working on alongside our sister loft Ratsey &
Lapthorn.
The sail, which is constructed from Contender Sailcloth's 2.1oz
Stormlite Polyester, has a luff length of over 39m and a foot
length of 27m! Hugh Myers finalised the design the sail, which
is built to our Series 2000 panel layout, after extensive consultation
with Mark Ratsey of Ratsey & Lapthorn who knows the sailing
characteristics of the boat very well.
Adix will soon be using the sail to race across the Atlantic
and we wish all the crew good luck!
17.4
Special
Offer on X-332 Sails
With Ian Dawson's Banks Sails powered X-332
Xplorer (left) winning the class
in Race 4 of the Barclays Marine Finance Warsash Spring Series
we have decided to celebrate by offering 15% off all X-332
racing sails ordered by the end of May 2002.
Banks Sails have an excellent record in the X-332 class with
boats powered by our sails having won many events including
the 2001 Warsash Spring Series and the Torbay Regatta in 2000
and 1999.
For full details and to discuss what Banks Sails can do for
the performance of your X-332 please contact Roger
Cerrato.
15.3
Banks Sails Spain opens in Palma, Majorca
Banks Sails are pleased to announce the opening
of a new loft in Palma, Majorca. Run by experienced sailmaker
Juan Merayo, Banks Sails Spain will provide the highest level
of service to both Racing and Cruising clients.
Juan can be contacted by email on banksspain@sock-jib.com
or telephone/tax (34) 971432329 or mobile (34) 627003185.
This new loft brings the total number of Banks Sails lofts worldwide
to twenty-two. For full listings and contact details of our
international lofts check the Worldwide
page.
For further details on Banks Sails please contact Roger
Cerrato.
7.3
New Banks Sails accessories at Sailboat 2002
Once again Banks Sails exhibited at the Sailboat
exhibition, this year to launch an exciting new range of Harnesses
and Holdalls to great interest.
Our Kevlar Backpack with padded laptop
pocket is sure to be a hot seller, as is the Skiff
Pro harness, which has been designed with the modern high
performance crew in mind.
To see our new range, check out our Accessory
pages.
27.2
Grand Soleil 40 Test in Yachting World
Check out the March edition of Yachting World for a boat test
on the Grand Soleil 40 (left). On reading the report is looks
as though designer Massimo Paperini and builders Cantiere del
Pardo have come up with a package that impressed the Yachting
World test team.
The boat used for the test featured upgraded sails from our
loft rather that the standard sails supplied from the factory.
The inventory consisted of a Dacron Fully Battened Mainsail
on a Frederiksen 100 Series Ballslide System, a Dacron Furling
Genoa and a Cruising Chute with Squeezer. Richard Baldwin of
Grand Soleil UK was very pleased with the sails and commented
that "the Banks Sails look great."
For further details on the boat contact Grand Soleil UK on 02380
455977 or email rbiyachtbrokers@btconnect.com
26.2
2001 news round-up
An opportunity to catch up with recent events
on the water for Banks-Sails-powered yachts, including Wing
and a Prayer, Pinocchio VII, Lord of the Isles, Celavie, New
Moon, Fandango, Blues Xtra, Optimumm, Exhibitionist, Xplorer,
Blyth Spirit, E1 Business/Penguin Power, Moontiger III, Quokka-Fandango,
Dansos, Clarionet, Cumara, Crewsaver Dickies Yacht Sales and
Kocomodo!
More
26.2
Adix Asymmetric: Part 1
In conjunction with our sister loft Ratsey &
Lapthorn we are currently working on an Asymmetric Spinnaker
for the famous three-masted schooner, Adix (left).
Mark Ratsey, of R&L, has been liasing with our chief designer
Hugh Myers and construction of the sail is about to start following
a delivery of a dozen rolls of Contender Sailcloth's 2.1oz Stormlite
polyester. When completed the sail will be a massive 800 square
metres and be the largest Spinnaker we have ever produced.
Check back for regular updates as the sail comes together.
4.2
January Roundup
Things have been very busy here at Banks Sails over the past
couple of months. We had an excellent end to 2001 with many
orders being placed in December for delivery in early 2002.
We once again exhibited at the London Boat Show and although
attendance figures were down interest in Banks Sails was certainly
up! Since the Show we have received orders for boats as diverse
as a Jeanneau 52, Sweden 38 and SJ320 to add to our already
healthy production list.
Following our successes over the past couple of years we are
very popular with Beneteau owners at the moment and have sails
for two 40.7s, a 36.7 and three 31.7s in production. One of
the 40.7s is having sails built in Dimension Polyant's GPL Carbon/Technora
composite fabric. Using this fabric we are able to produce sails
that will stay faster for longer as they do not suffer from
flex fatigue and UV damage in the same way as Kevlar.
The new First 36.7 showed its potential in the Hamble Winter
Series and we are looking forward to producing more 36.7 sails
once we have finished the inventory for Colin Perrin's North
Wales based boat. After 31.7s with our sails scored outstanding
results in 2001 we are confident that more and more 31.7
owners will be turning to Banks in 2002. For 2002 there will
be three 31.7s in Ireland flying Banks Sails along with many
more around the UK. A large fleet of 31.7s is expected for Ford
Cork Week where the racing will undoubtedly be very close.
Another interesting project we are currently working on is David
Thomas' revamp of Timon Townsend's Cumara. This Thomas 35 from
1994 is being updated with a new Formula Spars Carbon Rig and
a new deeper keel. Timon has ordered a new Mainsail, Light/Medium
No.1, No.3 and 1/2oz Runner for delivery in March. The boat
should be launched in its new guise in time for the RORC Easter
Challenge.
To find out what Banks Sails can do for you in 2002 call now
on 01489 582444 or email Roger
Cerrato.
Read the archives for 2001
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