Westfield, NJ - Banner Bay Marine is now offering a new model anchor riding sail for boats with no backstay. The sail was introduced to satisfy the needs of customers who want a riding sail to hold them steady while anchoring but own catamarans,
cat-rigged boats, and the many new boats with swept back spreaders that don’t have a backstay to attach it to.

Instead of the traditional jib hanks, which would be attached to the backstay, the “Pointer W” has a 2,500 lb. webbing reinforcement sewn in for the length of the back of the sail for extra strength. The sail is designed to be rigged with two lines from the foot of the sail tied to each side of the stern to assure no lateral movement. The rest of the rigging is traditional: The main halyard is used to pull the sail up. The strong webbing reinforcement allows for a firm pull to hold it drum taut. Then a line is brought forward and tied to the mast, boom or some other point to align the sail forward.

The new sail is also popular with sailors who have trouble reaching up to attach hanks to the backstay due to the extensive sun awning arrangements common on newer boats and / or antenna obstructions. Riding sails are sometimes attached to the topping lift, but the popularity of solid boom vangs resulting in no topping lift, also creates a problem the new sail design solves.

The sails come in two sizes: The Pointer #1 W for boats to 32 feet, $230; and Pointer #2 W for boats 33 to 42 feet, $295. Larger sizes can be custom ordered. For more information write info@bannerbaymarine.com, or call 201 452-2834.