Ken O'Brien Sails

SAILS / TECHNOLOGY

Ken is a local sailmaker with international loft experience.

Through his time with the Norths Australia and New Zealand sail lofts and the winning Australia II campaign he has developed a vast database of computer based designs.

In these lofts he has worked with the best in Australia and New Zealand , TOM SCHNAKENBERG, JOHN BERTRAND and ROLLY TASKER.

Basic aerodynamics do not change, it is the ability to adapt them to the modern materials in sailmaking that have developed over the years and it is a matter of applying correct principles to these materials.

Biradial carbon main for 40' IOR displacement mast head rig sloop, set for reaching in 10kn true windspeed. YES! We do LOGOs too.

Same main bladed out for flat water/higher wind speed

Ken carefully researches cloth characteristics and ensures that he matches it with the most appropriated design and cloth orientation to ensure performance and durability.

Challenge: www.challengesailcloth.com

Contender: www.contender.com.au

Dimension Polyant: www.dimension-polyant.com

Foot of biradial Pentex main. It is cut fuller for choppier SA gulf conditions than a flat water harbour sail.

Pentex Inshore main Adams 40 fractional rig with oversized roach similar to Farr 40 One Design class.

Triradial Pentex Genoa. Set up for 8 kn of wind and sloppy sea conditions. Set a little too full with little luff tension and no backstay.

Asymmetric for 40' IOR displacement mast head sloop.This shaping is less extreme than would be used for a lighter displacement yacht, head angle is wider than usual and patch size larger. An example of adapting design to boat characteristics.

Ken keeps up to date on the latest hardware systems including:

Furlers
Car Systems
Batten Systems

He also is aware of problems with carbon material being prone to electrolosis damage and guards against this with use of appropriate metal hardware to assist in durability and longevity of his carbon sails.