SYDNEY 60 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

Designed by Iain Murray & Associates and built by Bashford, the SYDNEY 60 is a high-performance racing yacht engineered for offshore speed. This 18.15m vessel is built for competitive fleet racing and demanding blue-water passages.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.73 indicates a high-aspect rig designed for aerodynamic efficiency and lift.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.43 is optimized for powerful, high-aspect working jibs rather than large overlapping genoas.
• Sail Area: 166m² of total upwind area provides an aggressive power-to-displacement ratio.
• Performance: The deep 3.54m draft and tall rig configuration make this a stiff, weatherly boat capable of exceptional upwind angles.

Popular Sail Configurations

• Mainsail: Typically a high-roach, full-battened configuration to maximize the 23.15m luff length.
• Headsail: Modern inventories favor non-overlapping performance jibs (J1-J4) to suit the high-aspect foretriangle.

Key Characteristics

• High-aspect mainsail optimizes lift-to-drag ratios for superior upwind performance.
• Tall foretriangle supports a versatile range of high-performance headsails.
• Deep 3.54m draft ensures the stability required to carry 166m² of sail in heavy air.
• Sleek 4.59m beam and Murray design philosophy prioritize hull speed and offshore tracking.

Sailing Considerations

• High luff dimensions require precise traveler and backstay adjustment to depower effectively.
• The 166m² sail plan demands a coordinated crew to handle high sheet loads during maneuvers.
• Expect exceptional acceleration and the ability to maintain high speeds in light-to-moderate conditions.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the SYDNEY 60, 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 and reduce pitching moment. For cruising or offshore deliveries, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection. Based on the 2.73 P/E ratio, a multi-directional fiber layout works best to handle the high vertical loads of the tall main. A typical inventory includes a membrane mainsail, a versatile J2 medium jib, and an all-purpose offshore asymmetric. With 166m² of sail area, plan to reef the high-aspect mainsail around 18 knots to maintain helm balance.

Conclusion

The SYDNEY 60 is a pure performance platform that rewards precise sail trim and high-modulus materials. Explore SurgeX membrane sail options for the SYDNEY 60 to unlock its full racing potential.