L-R: Handwork on tan bark headsail.
“We can’t tell everybody that our sails
will last 40 years, but a few of our sails
do last that long,” says Axel.
begins, while many modern sails are
made in a matter of days, Axel says that,
given the task of making a mainsail for
a 40-foot sailboat, he will spend at least
two weeks fully devoted to the labor of
that one job. As Axel puts it, “We won’t
change our construction methods until
it’s proven that the new methods are
with an interdisciplinary engineering as strong or stronger. Otherwise, we’ll they make a sail for a cruiser, strength
degree from the UW, Frank then stick with what we know works. The and dependability are not just goals
draws a sail plan by hand from the ocean hasn’t changed in 50 years – the to serve their company’s reputation,
data gathered about the boat – having ocean hasn’t changed in 500 or 5,000 they are standards for safety that they
planned in college to choose a career in years.” believe are vital for the well being of
naval architecture, the demands of his Much of the reasoning for the rigor their customers. One more reason for
current vocation have not strayed far. that they approach each job with is the staying with the construction methods
Frank then fi les the information in the personal responsibility they feel for that they know work is, as Frank says,
loft’s vast archive of records that dates their customers when making a sail. “We don’t want to use our customers
back decades and is organized by the Both avid sailors themselves, Axel and as guinea pigs, we want to give them
name of the boat owner, rather than the Frank know fi rsthand how dangerous something reliable.”
title in case the boat changes hands and the open ocean can be and that Apart from the hours they put in
is renamed. respecting its risks carries the weight at the loft each week, Axel and Frank
When the actual cutting and sewing of life or death importance. When speak about something else with
Change a life.
Donate your boat.
Support local and regional programs for children
and young adults through the charitable donation
of your boat. The Pacif_i c Marine foundation
is a 501(c) (3) non-prof_i t organization funding
regional programs such as Northwest Youth
Services, Sea Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, and
local public school education foundations. A
substantial tax savings and the possibility of a
partial cash sale makes a charitable donation a
very attractive alternative for any owner who is
considering selling their power or sailing yacht.
(888) 443-8262 • www.pacifi cmarine.org
1900 W Nickerson #2000, Seattle, WA 98119
48° No r t h , Ju N e 2009 Pa g e 44
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