RACING SAILS

Flying sails: the reaching gap, closed

Modern fractional rigs with non-overlapping jibs are fast upwind — and underpowered on the tight reaches of distance races. A new class of sails fills that gap: flying jibs, flying headsails, and code zeros, all rated under IRC, ORC, ORR, and PHRF.

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IN RACING Mainsails Genoas & Jibs SpinnakersSpecialty & FlyingStorm Sails One Design

A NEW CLASS OF SAIL

Between a headsail and a spinnaker.

Until recently there were only two reaching sails: headsails (mid-girth under 75% of foot length) and spinnakers (75% or more). In 2018 the ORR rule introduced "large roach headsails" — tweeners — with mid-girths between 50% and 75%. ORC and IRC followed, calling them flying headsails; the IRC definition requires a mid-girth between 62.5% and 75% of foot length. All major rating rules now allow and rate these sails.

Three ways to fill the reaching gap.

THE GO-TO FOR MOST BOATS

Flying Jib

A non-overlapping topsail flown in front of the headstay — no larger than your largest-rated headsail. Under IRC it's still "free" rating-wise and can add an extra knot or more when close reaching. Flat, easy to furl, and convenient to leave on the bowsprit.

Best for: most production racers and cruiser-racers.

Quote a flying jib →

FOR FAST & PLANING BOATS

Flying Headsail

Sized between a code zero and a headsail: flatter than a zero, with a positive roach, clew below boom level, sheeted behind the keel. Mainly used at 50–125° TWA — and on planing boats with a reaching strut it just gets faster as the apparent wind comes forward. We recommend a top-down furler.

Best for: C&C 30s, Fast 40s, TP52s, long offshore races with lots of reaching.

Quote a flying headsail →

THE LIGHT-AIR CLASSIC

Code Zero

Rated as a spinnaker, sailed like a giant genoa — nearly three times the size of a light No. 1 on boats with non-overlapping jibs. The first reaching sail most inventories add, and the partner to a flying jib.

Best for: every boat — see the full spec in the spinnaker family.

See the Code Zero →

Also in the specialty locker: jib topsails and genoa/spinnaker staysails. Your loft will recommend sizing based on the races you enter, your inventory, the boat's stability, and the rating impact — in general, a smaller mid-girth lets the sail be designed flatter for better performance.

THE SHORT VERSION

Production racer or cruiser?

Stick with the flying jib and code zero. The flying headsail's rating penalty usually isn't worth it.

Fast, foiling, or offshore?

For lightweight planing boats and reach-heavy distance races, the flying headsail earns its keep.

Want maximum performance?

ISL can be added to select new X-Drive® and Titanium specialty headsails and code zeros. Learn about ISL →