59° North's Farr 65 FALKEN

59º NORTH SAILING is an offshore sailing academy with a fleet of four boats ranging in size from 34 feet to 65 feet. Their largest boat, FALKEN, is a Farr 65 which was newly purchased and refit. Part of getting her ready for a life of teaching offshore sailing was a new set of X-Drive sails sold and designed by UK Sailmakers Sweden, built by UK Sailmakers Hong Kong with some finishing work by UK Sailmakers England. According to 59° North Sailing's Director Andy Schell, "The design brief was similar, but more focused on ocean cruising. We needed sails that would stand-up to 10-15,000 ocean miles per year, in all weather, with an amateur crew in a sail-training context. Being that FALKEN is a performance-oriented boat, we wanted fast sails too, and after our initial sea trials, I think UK Sailmakers nailed the design. The sails chosen to handle this relatively tough job are again X-Drive double taffeta sails with Spectra laminate and carbon loadpath fibers. These sails need to perform day-after-day for student sailors in the open ocean.”