OFFSHORE ESSENTIALS
Storm sails
Three sails are classified as storm sails: the heavy weather jib, the storm jib, and the storm trysail. All three are essential for boats heading offshore — small, bulletproof, and built to keep you sailing when everything else is down.
Photo © UK Sailmakers
The three storm sails.
Offshore race organizers require them; smart cruisers carry them anyway. Built in heavy, high-visibility cloth with oversized corners and reinforcements.
FIRST REDUCTION
Heavy Weather Jib
The step before a true storm sail: a small, flat jib for strong breeze when the full headsail is too much — keeps the boat balanced and driving to weather.
Use when: it's blowing hard but you're still racing or making miles upwind.
Quote a heavy weather jib →SURVIVAL HEADSAIL
Storm Jib
A tiny, bulletproof headsail in high-visibility cloth, with its own means of attachment so it sets even if the furled genoa stays wrapped. Sized well down from the heavy weather jib.
Use when: conditions are past racing — the goal is control and safe progress.
Quote a storm jib →MAINSAIL REPLACEMENT
Storm Trysail
Replaces the mainsail entirely in survival conditions. Sheets to the deck independently of the boom — so a broken boom or wrecked main doesn't take you out of the fight.
Use when: the main can no longer be carried, even deep-reefed.
Quote a storm trysail →RACING OFFSHORE?
Sized to your race's special regulations.
Offshore events set strict maximum areas and construction rules for storm sails. Tell your loft which races you're entering and they'll build to the applicable regulations — and practice setting them before you need them.