Hood Sails – an Australian sail-making icon

by Rob Kothe & Jedda Murphy on 16 Oct 2014 Ian Broad and Ian Lindsay and their beloved Hood Sails in Sydney have become a sail making institution on the Australian scene. Established in 1971, Hood Sail makers (Aust.) P/L is 100% Australian owned and operated by the two Ian’s and it was the first Hood sail loft outside of the USA.

This week we interviewed Broadie.

’43 years it’s been an interesting journey. I always feel that we have been at the forefront of technology. We keep up to date with sail design software and computer data analysis which I think helps when you are doing things that are for an upmarket industry.

‘We always seem to have boats at the top. Don’t need too many. At the moment we have a few winning in different divisions which is really good.

‘Looking at some boats that have got some decent results recently Southern Excellence the Volvo 70, Patrice, the Kerr 46, Celestial, the Roger 46, that recently won the Southport race, Love and War, the S&S47, another Hobart winner, an interesting mix of boats there, a bit like everything we have always done.

‘Looking back over those 43 years a lot has changed in sail making, Fabrics and the design. I was looking in my drawer the other day and I found my original piece of paper that I used to log how much shape we drew on each seam with all the percentages and how much shape went into each sail. A little piece of history.

‘Back then the traditional method was little more than just getting a stick and bend it and if you did two similar sails there was a chance you might do them both differently. We took a much more technical approach to sail design right from when we started.

'Now we use the SMAR Azure sail design software which has a host of features and have been working with them since they started to iron any bugs or changes to the system to incorporate things that we wanted. We can do a stretch analysis of a sail and actually see the sail under strain, it’s a good tool to be able to make sure that we have got the right cloths in the right place. ‘With Tony Kirby’s new Patrice, we did a full analysis of the boat with Jason Kerr and the Azure people which I think was interesting and that experience benefits everyone.

'Over the years we have had plenty of challenges. We made sails for the Australian America’s Cup syndicates, from 1970 to 1987 as a cross check. We would make a spinnaker or a mainsail or a headsail and they would try them out but they would try never use them in the Cup because if they thought ours was better they would make another one the same.

‘Of course we have made plenty of sails for Sydney to Hobart boats. We have had both line honours and handicap winners. For a couple of home grown Aussies I think we have done really well over the years.
‘The fabrics of today have produced many changes.

‘Back in the 70’s when we used narrow panel Dacron sails to make an America’s Cup heavy air Genoa there would be miles of negative shape so that when it stretched out it would be the right shape.. At the middle of the sail there would be a four inch negative.

‘Now sails hold their shape so much better, you actually build the shape you want into the sail which makes a big difference.

‘Through the Internet I still do all of the sail designs for Hood America. I have done for years. Hoods is going well in the States under their new owner, especially with upmarket cruising sails. ‘The American lofts send over all the specs and I do the designs and send them back. They cut them out on the Laser and they are ready to go. Same system for all our regional lofts in Australia I do the designs and send them a copy so they can have a look at it and know what they are going to get. We then organise the cut panels and ship to the loft for them manufacture.

‘We have designed all sorts. From top notch races to traditional boats. Trimarans, catamarans, old boats, new boats, an interesting and eclectic mix.

‘While we have good technology, we have always emphasised service and I guess that showed its worth when in the
middle of the GFC we had a record year.

‘I think our service is second to none. They say from the pasture to the bottle. I measure the boat, design the sails and watch over the production and go sailing on the boat.

‘And these days we are the only major sail making group actually manufacturing complete sails in Australia which gives us unmatched ability to quickly produce a sail and put it on a boat and that is certainly appreciated in the marketplace.’

‘For the future we are very pleased that Ben De Coster who used to work for us years ago has recently returned to Hood after stints with Quantum, Evolution and One Sail and now the long term plan is that he will take the baton, when we are ready to pass it on.

'Sailmaking has taken me all around the world and introduced me to some fantastic people hopefully I will be around to upset the opposition for a few more years to come! '

An an interjection from Ben de Coster . ' I am very pleased to be back involved in a company with so much history and such an excellent reputation with sail making in the Australian market. And to be involved in the company with a long term plan that also prides itself on keeping all manufacturing in Australia. And to see the company evolve for the next 43yrs when the scissors get passed on by the Ian’s.'

Hood Sails www.hoodaustralia.com.au

Hood Sailmakers (AUST) Pty Ltd. 19 West St Brookvale NSW 2100. Phone 02) 9905 0800. Fax 02) 9905 ...