North Sails

  • The Team


    The experience and know how gathered by our team of designers and sailmakers will surely be of great value while building the sails for any classic or traditional vessel and will ensure the success of any racing or cruising project.
    The members of the North Sails Classic team accumulate many years of work and commitment building sails for classic yachts and collaborating with the most notable projects through the last years.

    FLORENCE LEGRAND

    She has been sailmaking for 30 years. Living in South of France, she has been involved in the CIM racing circuit and has focused on developing the right materials, shapes, corner patching and finishing.
    The result has been a success as many of the most beautiful Classic Yachts have trusted her for their suit of sails.
    The sight of the J Class Cambria is a fitting testament to her skill in manufacturing authentic classic sails to the finest detail.




    BUD NALDER

    He is a New Zealand resident who is permanently operating within SY

    circuits and has been taking part in the top classic yachts competition for over 20 years.
    His career as a classic sailmaker was initiated more than 37 years ago.
    Throughout his life Bud Nalder has been fortunate to have worked in an environment that he loves.
    Sailmaking and classic yachting have given him the opportunity to meet and work with leading shipwrights and riggers whose skills can only be admired.
    His seafaring and sailmaking family's passion for "correct" yachts has long been instilled in his everyday thinking. Attention to the smallest detail is, in his mind, what sets apart traditional sails from production sails.
    Nothing for him is more satisfying than to watch the sleek lines of a thoroughbred traditional yacht, heeling to the breeze, powered by her authentically cut and finished sails.


    MITCH DEAN & HADEN McCRORIE

    Two of New Zealand’s finest young sailmakers, Mitch and Haden are living examples of the great future classic sailmaking can look forward to.
    Though they both have a great interest in high speed, radical yachting, they also have a deep passion for classic yachting, and enjoy the challenge of producing authentic sails to compliment the finest restorations afloat.
    Mitch has just joined the classic season and Haden has spent the last 7 years as bosun/mate on the 3 masted schooner Adix.



    MANUEL LASTRA

    Affectionately Known as Manolo, he is a true gentleman of classic sailmaking. His large sail loft in Cuntis, near Vigo in the northern Spain has produced sails for several of the world’s best known tall ships, along with a wide range of classic sails for yachts such as the Fife designed Hispania.
    The state of the art facilities include laser cutting and sophisticated machines capable of manufacturing the largest of classic sails.
    A sailmaker all his life, his abilities span all forms of sailmaking including Americas Cup sails.