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Windsurfing Sails

Windsurfing sails started out as little more than modified bed sheets. This happened because actual sail canvas was never cut small enough for a rig the size of a windsurfing board. As a result, the first windsurfing rigs were definitely not much to look at. However, as the sport grew, windsurfing sails actually became a leading edge for sail technology.

Today windsurfing sails are made from monofilm, which is a clear polyester film, as well as woven polyester. Another interesting technological application is that a Kevlar mesh is used to reinforce areas that will receive a significant amount of strain. These are all materials that have gone from use as wind sails into the broader market.

If you intend to buy any windsurfing sales, it’s important that you understand the terminology that comes with the sails. If you don’t, you’re liable to buy a sail that isn’t the right size for your rig. To a non-sailor sails have leading and trailing edges, a tip and a bottom. However, to a sailor the leading edge is the luff, the luff is also where the mast is located on most windsurfing setups. The trailing edge is the leech of the sail. The bottom of the sail will at least make sense to those who aren’t nautically inclined, it is called the foot. The tip is actually referred to as such, or can also be called the apex.

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