Ratsey and Lapthorn Sail Plan Collection (5466)

Historical note

Ratsey and Lapthorn were the preeminent sailmakers of the twentieth century, with lofts in Cowes, England, and City Island, New York. The New York branch was opened in 1902, on the encouragement of some prominent American yachtsmen who realized the superiority of the Ratsey and Lapthorn sails over their American counterparts. The company made sails for all of the major American yacht designers of the period, and for countless less well-known designers as well. Their sails were made of cotton, however in the years after World War II synthetic sail materials were developed, notably Dacron, which provided an increasing challenge to their business, and the City Island operation ultimately closed in 1982.