This is not your parents’ Art and Science of Sails, written by Tom Whidden and Michael Levitt and published in 1990 by St. Martin’s Press.
Today there are one-piece sails made over a 3D mold in the shape they will assume in the wind. Sail plans have radically evolved to fractional rigs, fat-head mains, and non-overlapping jibs. That is true for racing boats as well as cruising. Thus, ninety percent of the text is new, as are almost all of the more than 100 photographs and technical illustrations.
The authors focus on circulation as they did in the first edition, but now come at it from a different direction. And for the first time anywhere, they attempt to quantify its effects.
Whidden and Levitt utilize explanations like circulation to answer such diverse questions as:
• Why fractional rigs, fat-head mains, and non-overlapping jibs have come to predominate
• Why and how leech twist can be a sail-trimmer’s best friend
• Why a yacht designer positions the mast, keel, and rudder to create some weather helm
• Why the safe-leeward position is advantageous relative to the entire fleet, not just to the boat you tacked beneath and forward of
• Why a mainsail’s efficiency is improved with added upper roach, beyond the value of the extra area
• Why the miracle of upwind sailing is not that there is so much lift but so little drag
• Why, when sailing upwind, the main is always trimmed to a tighter angle than the jib
• What a polar diagram tells us or why tacking downwind is almost always faster than sailing directly to a mark
There is also an in-depth look at the wonders of material utilization—not just materials. Indeed there have been no new fibers accepted into sail making for over 20 years. It is how they are used that makes the difference. In the last three chapters, the authors drill down on mainsails, head sails, and downwind asymmetric or symmetric spinnakers. And in this edition for the first time they address downwind aerodynamics. The book celebrates the complexity and beauty of sails and of the whole rarefied sport of sailing.
About the Author
Tom Whidden is President of North Sails, the world's largest sailmaker. He is also one of the world's most experienced sailors and sailboat racers. Tom Whidden is also author of Championship Tactics, by Tom Whidden, Gary Jobson, and Adam Loory, St. Martin's Press. 1990. The Art & Science of Sails (First Edition) by Tom Whidden and Michael Levitt, St. Martin's Press, 1990. Michael Levitt is a journalist, sailor and author of numerous sailing books including Herding Tigers: The North Sails Story, by Michael Levitt, North Sails Group, LLC, 2009. Ted Hood Through Hand and Eye, by Ted Hood and Michael Levitt, Mystic Seaport, 2006. The North Sails Story by Michael Levitt, Fabio Ratti Editoria, 1999. The America's Cup-the History of Sailing's Greatest Competition in the Twentieth Century by Dennis Conner and Michael Levitt, St. Martin's Press, 1998. The Official Record of West McLaren Mercedes Haymarket Specialist Publications Ltd Publishing 1998. The Official Record of West McLaren Mercedes, Haymarket Specialist Publications Ltd 1997, Around the World in 79 Days, by Cam Lewis and Michael Levitt, 1996.
Industry Reviews
The Art and Science of Sails Revised Edition (2016), by Tom Whidden and Michael Levitt is a perfect addition to any sailor's library of knowledge. If you're feeling slow, you'll know where to go. Sailing World, January 13, 2017 The subject of sails and sailmaking can be quite complex but in this terrific revised edition of The Art and Science of Sails authors Tom Whidden and Michael Levitt have done a superb job distilling the complexities into a narrative that we can all understand. From the intricacies of how wind and water conspire to propel a boat forward to some of the more mundane aspects of sails, this book covers it all and in great detail. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone who wants to know more about that very important part of a sailboat, namely the sails. Twenty six years ago the original The Art and Science of Sails was published and it was a ground breaking book... Who would have guessed back then that the America's Cup would be raced in flying boats with solid sails? One of the most interesting chapters of the book is The Science of Sails; how indeed can a flimsy curved surface propel a boat almost directly into the wind? It seems unfathomable but it's true, and Whidden and Levitt walk the reader step by step through the various stages of, as they put it flying a flat plate," to a complete understanding of aerodynamic theory. They then take this theory and explain how it translates into designing and engineering sails. There is significant ink given to 3DL and 3Di sailmaking and for good reason. Building membrane sails on a full size mold completely revolutionized the industry, and these days it's not only the racers that want this kind of technology, increasingly cruisers are also seeking it out. By being able to precisely lay fibers along the anticipated load lines in a sail meant that sails could be built lighter and stronger for the same stretch resistance. Incorporating exotic fibers such as carbon and vectran into sailmaking further advanced things and now blending different fibers into the same sail with each doing their own part all found their roots with 3DL.I urge you to read the whole book cover to cover like I did. Sailors around the world spend an inordinate amount of money on sails and without being disparaging many have no real clue how to use them. I can almost guarantee that your skills as a sailor will be vastly improved once you have read this book. -- Brian Hancock, Owner of Great Circle Sails and author of Maximum Sail Power Sail Magazine's Sailfeed, November 17, 2016 This book is the second iteration of the Art and Science of Sails written by a wonderful sailing journalist Michael Levitt and Tom Whidden, a distinguished North Sails veteran. I took it on wanting to understand more about what drove those boats we raced and how we could squeeze one more ounce of speed. The sport has changed dramatically and this book is a solid portrayal of the journey and change in approach, technology, vision and design. In essence it sets the record straight for many of us who were possibly too close to the forest to see the real evolution and its rapid pace of change. Whidden's personal story is intriguing. I loved the approach, the setting of a baseline, the linkages to Hood and North and the contrasts of their inherent strengths, the working through the materials and the technical meat of the book in the transitioning from as they put it "from aerodynamic theory to practice." It's often said one of the things that separate great books, especially ones that deal with topics that are technical in nature, from the pack is a style that truly engages and teaches... Simply said this is a must book for your sailing library. -- John Kerr, John Kerr is the managing Partner at AD ASTRA Media publishing Canadian Yachting. Canadian Yachting, 10/23/2016 Twenty-Five years ago, these authors published the first version of this book. As they note, in the quarter-century, there has been many amazing advances in sail design and construction. Published by North Sails, this book is stuffed with full of theory and discussion of how sails work. It has sections on theory, materials, design, use of sails, as well as the use of computers in sail design and manufacture. There are also distinct chapters on headsails and mainsails. There are also substantial chapters on the advances that North Sails has made since the late 1980s, specifically 3DL and 3Di sails. It absolutely benefits from the personal knowledge of the authors, and their involvement with North Sails. This book is clearly written for people who are interested in the cutting-edge sail design and manufacture techniques, specifically as applied to racing sailboats. It does not address square rigs at all. It is beautifully printed, and is filled with really interesting diagrams and photos that illuminate the text. This is highly recommended for racers, and also for anybody who is interested in how sails work, and modern sailmaking. It is suitable for all levels of experience. The Nautical Mind, 10/12/2016 Tom Whidden and Michael Levitt's legendary reference work on the art and science of sails has received a complete and well-researched update. Seahorse Magazine, 10/2016 Tom Whidden and Michael Levitt's book is a clear, reliable guide to getting the most out of your sails, an essential component to good seamanship whether you're cruising or racing. -- John Rousmaniere, Author of "The Annapolis Book of Seamanship" A fascinating look at the science and history that has led us to today's highly technical world of sailmaking. The book does a wonderful job of explaining the physics behind both trimming of sails and state-of-the-art sailmaking. -- Bora Gulari, Two-time Moth World Champion and U.S. Sailing Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Christmas is drawing near, and with it the question: what gifts should I give? This year, Boote Exclusiv recommends three books... And for the development of sailors, The Art and Science of Sails beckons. North Sails chief executive Tom Whidden shares insider knowledge in 182 pages. Boote Exclusiv There is much to learn here for me and my Volvo Ocean Race team. This book is a must read for anybody looking to improve their sail trimming and sailing. -- Ian Walker, Skipper of Abu Dhabi, winner of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race and a two time Olympic Silver Medalist.
