STILL 900 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

The STILL 900 is a rare Eivind Still design built by Finn Yacht, blending Scandinavian craftsmanship with a versatile cruiser-racer philosophy. Designed for performance-oriented owners, it balances coastal cruising comfort with the speed required for competitive club racing.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

An analysis of the STILL 900's dimensions reveals a well-proportioned sail plan optimized for efficiency:

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.71 indicates a tall aspect rig, designed to generate efficient lift and minimize drag.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.36 is relatively high, favoring powerful headsails and providing significant drive from the foretriangle.
• Sail Area: 41m² total upwind area across a 9-meter platform.
• Performance: The configuration suggests a weatherly boat with excellent close-winded capabilities and a high power-to-weight potential.

Popular Sail Configurations

Due to the small fleet size, configurations vary, but typical setups maximize the rig's height:

• Mainsail: High-roach designs are common to leverage the 11.50m luff length.
• Headsail: Owners often utilize overlapping genoas (130-140%) for light air or high-aspect working jibs for heavy weather.

Key Characteristics

• Tall aspect mainsail (P/E 2.71) for superior upwind aerodynamic efficiency.
• High I/J ratio (3.36) allows for a versatile range of headsail sizes.
• The 3.13m beam provides the necessary righting moment for the 41m² sail plan.
• 1.76m draft ensures a stiff, stable ride and excellent tracking under sail.

Sailing Considerations

• The 41m² upwind plan is generous; active backstay and traveler control are essential in gusty conditions.
• The boat is manageable for short-handed cruising but benefits from a crew of 3-4 during racing maneuvers.
• Expect a responsive helm and a boat that accelerates quickly out of tacks.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the STILL 900, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber construction where fibers are laid along load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium laminates. The continuous fiber structure means less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with minimal base weight to maximize performance. For cruising or coastal sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection. Based on the 2.71 P/E ratio, a radial load-path layout within the membrane works best to manage the high vertical luff tensions. A typical inventory includes a full-batten mainsail for longevity and a furling 135% genoa for versatile reaching. With 41m² of sail area, plan to reef the mainsail around 16-18 knots to maintain a flat, fast profile.

Conclusion

The STILL 900 is a sophisticated design that rewards high-quality sail shapes and precise trim. Explore sail options for STILL 900 to ensure your inventory matches this boat's exclusive pedigree.