Fisher Mainsail
#1 2012 Nationals!
#1 2012 Midwinters West!
The Fisher mainsail has been totally refaired which means that the computer has made the seams very smooth and consistent from head to foot and leech to luff...the result is a very pleasing sail to trim and a faster sail since it is exceptionally smooth. While it is slightly flatter down low, it is fairly full and powerful up high for true all-around performance. It is a slightly more mainsheet sensitive sail and due to its lighter, stiffer fabric reacts quickly to changes in wind velocity.
The Fisher main enjoys vang sheeting and is an ideal choice for those Thistlers who are most comfortable with vang sheeting when sailing in bigger breeze.
Now you can add our latest "Special Reef Package" to your Fisher Thistle main. With all the measurements and details assembled with the aid of a couple of Thistlers who are experienced experts at where reefs should be placed, we have the ideal setup for those who want to reduce area when its blowin' the dog off the chain! If you sailing short handed or a bit light, this new reef system will help you handle the Thistle easier and more safely. The package includes not only the reef reinforcements 17" above the foot, but also the extra windows enabling you to see other boats and the leech of your jib!
Mainsails include:
- Battens
- Sail numbers
- Insignia
- Vision window
- Sail bag
"Historically I have always been competitive off the wind, but have generally been a little slower than the fast guys upwind. Last Saturday, it was like we had a gas pedal going upwind. At times we were just as fast as the good guys, and at times we were actually faster upwind. Clearly the new sails and the mast tuning made all the difference". -- Jim Dixon
Proctor Mainsail
The Proctor mainsail is a relatively full sail up top with flatter lower sections and the draft slightly farther aft. While it is truly and all-around performer, the Proctor main excels in light to medium wind conditions.
The Proctor main is a fairly easy sail to trim. Because of the softer, slightly heavier fabric it is less mainsheet sensitive, but more cunningham sensitive. Generally the traveler is used to help depower and balance the boat in breezier conditions.
You can add our latest "Special Reef Package" to your Proctor Thistle main. With all the measurements and details assembled with the aid of a couple of Thistlers who are experienced experts at where reefs should be placed, we have the ideal setup for those who want to reduce area when its blowin' the dog off the chain! If you sailing short handed or a bit light, this new reef system will help you handle the Thistle easier and more safely. The package includes not only the reef reinforcements 17" above the foot, but also the extra windows enabling you to see other boats and the leech of your jib!
Mainsails include:
- Battens
- Sail numbers
- Insignia
- Vision window
- Sail bag
Northwest Mainsail
Because of the use of firmer fabric and the Northwest Mainsail features a slightly rounder leech, and is a slightly more mainsheet-sensitive sail. It is also a flatter main, note with the draft farther aft and a relatively closed leech.
Fast, the Northwoest maisnail excels especially on flat water, and has extremely high pointing capabilities but it's considered a slightly more demanding sail to trim.
Mainsails include:
Battens
Sail numbers
Insignia
Vision window
Sail bag
Fisher Jib
#1 2012 Nationals!
#1 2011 Midwinters West!
#1 2010 Nationals!
The Fisher jib has been made slightly fuller in the entry so it is even easier to steer when the conditions get tricky...light, shifty breeze or heavy winds with big slop. Testing has proven that this jib still points to the moon on flat water or in big breeze!!
The Fisher Jib is now built out of Dimension Polyant 180 SqHTP for even higher durability.
Jibs include:
Proctor Jib
#1 2012 Midwinters West!
The Proctor jib has been refaired in the front and is slightly fuller as result. The Proctor jib is prettier than ever and a dream to steer when it is tough or critical sailing. It is a relatively full, powerful sail with an exceptionally wide steering groove and tremendous power in light to medium winds.
The Proctor Jib is now built out of Dimension Polyant 180 SqHTP for even higher durability.
Jibs include:
Northwest Jib
The Nortwest Jib is a flatter sail with a much flatter entry and the draft farther aft which gives it tremendous pointing capabilities in flatter water when the steering is less critical. It is built from a lighter, firmer fabric which reacts quickly in light shifty conditions.
Jibs include:
Full Radial Spinnaker
#1 2012 Nationals!
#1 2011 Midwinters West!
#1 2010 Nationals!
The Full Radial spinnaker now is built from either Contender Superlite 50 or Airx 600. This choice gives our customers the opportunity to chose the lightest fabric if they sail primarily in light lumpy conditions OR the standard slightly heavier fabric for the utmost in durability. With the panel alignment of the Full Radial spinnaker, either choice will be a smooth and long lasting spinnaker. Fast out of the box!
NEW COLORS! Superlite 50 - Now available in white, red, dark blue, pink, yellow and green!
AirX 600
Crosscut AirX Spinnaker
The North Crosscut Spinnaker is built from AirX 600 fabric. It is a great all around performer with exceptional reaching capabilities.
>> Contact the Thistle Experts for additional information and questions about our products. Tuning your Thistle for Speed
>> Download the
North Thistle Tuning Guide
>>Download the
Thistle Northwest design's tuning guide.
On the Water Quick Guides - Download here!
Fisher Design
Proctor Design
Northwest Design
Have a Question? Ask the
Thistle experts.
Thistle FAQs:
How to set up the rigging for a "gold mast" Thistle version?
As you recognize your mast is quite
stiff and needs all the help and encouragement it can get to bend.
Unfortunately there's only so much you can do. Loosening the diamonds up
a great deal is very helpful. I would set the top diamonds so they
actually have a wiggle to them of about 1/2" each way...therefore they
won't register at all on the gauge. Be sure to tape the wire in the
screw head.
For the bottom two sets
I'd set them up with a tension of no more than 3-5 on the Model A gauge.
Again tape the wires in the screws. Once sailing I'd look up the mast
to be sure the mast is straight, or hopefully, bending sideways to
leeward at the top. If not adjust the diamonds accordingly to straighten
the mast where needed. Try to maintain the same low tension.
I'd set the rig up with about 25-30 on the forestay using the Model A gauge.
What's the difference between the
Fisher and the Proctor mainsails?
In some
ways the differences in the designs are quite subtle but the setup and
tuning are somewhat different.
The Fisher
main is built from a lighter, stiffer fabric and is slightly more draft
forward than the Proctor cut. This main likes vangsheeting which means
in bigger breeze the vang is pulled on quite hard when the boat is overpowered.
This will bend the mast and allow the sail to flatten out. Since the
vang is holding the boom down the traveller doesn't need to be adjusted
as much. The mainsheet is played to balance the helm and keep the boat
on its feet.
The Proctor
main is made from a slightly heavier and softer fabric. The concept
is that this sail is a little more "self adjusting" and doesn't
need as much mainsheet or cunningham to peform well. It does however
like to be sheeted harder as this mainsheet tension bends the mast and
flattens the sail. Since the mainsheet trimmed tighter the traveler
is played to help maintain helm balance and keep the boat flat.
While the
techniques are quite different..the sails still get to the weather mark
close to the same time!
North Sails is proud to present our full line of Star boat covers,
all handmade to the highest quality standards. Constructed using rugged
premium 12 oz polyester 900D fabric, North One Design boat covers will
give you piece of mind when storing your Thistle or taking it on the road.
Available for the Thistles:
- Thistle Bottom Cover
- Thistle Centerboard Cover
- Thistle Gasket
- Thistle Rudder Cover
- Thiste Top Cover
- Thistle Boom Whoopie
- Thistle Bow Spinnaker Launch Bag
- Thistle Spinnaker Launch Turtles (pair)
Contact the Thistle experts: