Ratsey & Lapthorn Classic Sailmakers, Cowes

Ratsey & Lapthorn Classic Sailmakers, Cowes Ratsey & Lapthorn have been your experts in classic sails, racing sails and sail repairs since 1790. Based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The Ratpack. An elevated take on the classic kit bag every sailor knows and loves. Too good to put down.
06/07/2026

The Ratpack.

An elevated take on the classic kit bag every sailor knows and loves.

Too good to put down.

Hallowe’en, celebrated a century of sailing this year. At 80ft she is ’The perfect Gentleman’s yacht, she is a jewel’, t...
03/07/2026

Hallowe’en, celebrated a century of sailing this year. At 80ft she is ’The perfect Gentleman’s yacht, she is a jewel’, this according to her designer William Fife Jr. High praise indeed when you consider his legacy.

Hallowe’en got off to a flyer in 1926, only 2 months after her launch, winning line honours in the second ever Fastnet Race and setting a record that stood for 13 years. She was powered by Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails.

It is therefore such a huge pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Hallowe’en again 100 years later, to revisit our archives and design and build new sails using all that modern technology has to offer. Software to measure load, strain, pressure and aerodynamics in order to design sails that not only look classically beautiful but will perform and get results in a busy and competitive schedule of Mediterranean racing.

Hallowe’en’s new Main, Jib and staysail were delivered and fitted in May and she has already had great success on the water. At Argentario Race week she was sporting her new R&L upwind sails and took 4 from 4 bullets winning the Miramis Trophy - and I quote - ‘We had our best ever regatta’! - not bad for an old girl!

Congrats to all involved.

Halloween1926



📸 Marco Solari

Hallowe’en, celebrated a century of sailing this year. At 80ft she is ’The perfect Gentleman’s yacht, she is a jewel’, t...
03/07/2026

Hallowe’en, celebrated a century of sailing this year. At 80ft she is ’The perfect Gentleman’s yacht, she is a jewel’, this according to her designer William Fife Jr. High praise indeed when you consider his legacy.

Hallowe’en got off to a flyer in 1926, only 2 months after her launch, winning line honours in the second ever Fastnet Race and setting a record that stood for 13 years. She was powered by Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails.

It is therefore such a huge pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Hallowe’en again 100 years later, to revisit our archives and design and build new sails using all that modern technology has to offer. Software to measure load, strain, pressure and aerodynamics in order to design sails that not only look classically beautiful but will perform and get results in a busy and competitive schedule of Mediterranean racing.

Hallowe’en’s new Main, Jib and staysail were delivered and fitted in May and she has already had great success on the water. At Argentario Race week she was sporting her new R&L upwind sails and took 4 from 4 bullets winning the Miramis Trophy - and I quote - ‘We had our best ever regatta’! - not bad for an old girl!

Congrats to all involved.

Halloween1926

Quiet luxury
30/06/2026

Quiet luxury

27/06/2026

“We went to Ratsey & Lapthorn for a new mizzen staysail that would sit between our close reaching mizzen blade and huge downwind VMG running staysail. Essentially to fill an important gap in our existing wardrobe. The design and sail we have received has exceeded our expectations, both in capability and handmade quality. Importantly, it also works well over a much wider range than anticipated, both in apparent angles and wind strengths. It’s become our all purpose staysail of choice on Baruna, used effectively in our recent Giraglia race in which we headed the Maxi Class 0 Leaderboard after 100 miles of using this new reaching sail. The owner is most pleased”.
Chris Savage (tactician 72ft S&S )

# performance

Wheels up… On board with legendary superyacht stylist Evan K Marshall
25/06/2026

Wheels up… On board with legendary superyacht stylist Evan K Marshall

Today marks the start of the 2026 edition and the 70th Anniversary of the Tall Ships Races. Sail Training InternationalA...
24/06/2026

Today marks the start of the 2026 edition and the 70th Anniversary of the Tall Ships Races. Sail Training International

A wonderful event with a huge heart that provides youngsters from around the world ‘a unique opportunity to do something amazing’.

Sail Training International is at the epicentre, but it takes a community of enthusiasts who all share the core values of ‘Youth Development, International Friendship and Understanding’ a beautifully positive message that we are wholeheartedly in support of.

This year we will be keeping an eye on progress a little more closely as we had the great pleasure of providing the TS Royalist, Flag ship of the Sea Cadets, with a complete suit of new sails. What a fabulous of crew of folk!

The phrase ‘many hands make light work’ doesn’t really apply with sails of this size!

Good luck Guys, wishing you fair winds for your upcoming races 💪

📸 Sea Cadets Offshore

There's nothing quite like the first sail of the year. When winter-stored yachts return to the water and the Solent come...
30/04/2026

There's nothing quite like the first sail of the year. When winter-stored yachts return to the water and the Solent comes alive again. Since 1790, we've witnessed this ritual 236 times.⁠
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Address

Cowes
PO318PB

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441983294051

Website

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