Ratsey & Lapthorn News
New sails for classic yacht Zillaine
Zillaine has recently had a full suit of sails designed and cut by Ratsey... More
Ratsey & Lapthorn in the Mediterranean
R & L has a new sail loft in Mallorca. Banks Sails and Ratsey &... More
Sails in a Classic Style
Ratsey & Lapthorn make classic sails in a style replicating the "Big Class"... More
Tailer Made Classic Sails
The Ratsey & Lapthorne
The Ratsey & Lapthorn Story
The history of Ratsey & Lapthorn is synonymous with that of yachting.
The firm's first sail loft preceded the establishment of yachting and for
over two hundred years the world's leading yachts have set the firm's
canvas. From its origins in Cowes and early involvement with the Royal
Yacht Squadron, the firm grew to establish lofts on the British mainland
and in the USA. For a hundred years Ratsey & Lapthorn were the
sailmakers of choice for yachts competing for the America's Cup.
Members of the Ratsey and Lapthorn families sailed on the greatest yachts
and liaised with a client base that included Kings, Emperors and tycoons.
The fascinating history of this highly personal business has been researched from a myriad of archive sources on both sides of the Atlantic by Dr William Collier. The first book on the history of sailmaking fills a void in our knowledge of yachting's history.It provides fascinating reading for anybody that sails or is interested in the sea.
Classic Sails is extensively illustrated with photographs and reproductions of paintings. Many images are reproduced from Ratsey and Lapthorn family albums and these are complemented with an extensive selection of period photographs from the Rosenfeld Collection and Beken of Cowes. Franco Pace's outstanding colour photographs bring the Ratsey & Lapthorn story to life.