Parasailor Corporate Member

We are very pleased to support the ARC — the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers by the World Cruising Club — again this year. For us, this is more than an official title. The right sail wardrobe is one of the key equipment decisions before a long passage. It has to work over many days: controlled, reliable, and suited to both boat and crew.

Long passages begin before departure

The ARC does not start until fall. And yet, for many crews, preparation begins now. Boats are checked, routes are planned, sails are reviewed, spare parts are added, and onboard routines are discussed. The most important point: a long passage does not begin at the starting line. It begins with the many decisions made before.

Anyone preparing for the Atlantic, the ARC, or longer downwind legs starts thinking differently about their equipment. It is not just about speed. It is about stability, handling, autopilot performance, crew comfort, and trust in the material.

Many days on a downwind course change what a sail needs to do. What may seem secondary on a day sail becomes relevant over distance. How steadily does the sail stand? How often does the crew need to intervene? How well does the autopilot work with it? How controllable does the sail remain when the wind picks up? And how does the boat still feel after hours or days under sail?

This is where the hybrid wing changes sail behavior

The patented hybrid wing of the Parasailor stabilizes the sail, keeps it more open, and generates additional lift. Instead of simply pushing the boat from behind, the Parasailor pulls it forward in a controlled way. This reduces boat movement on downwind courses and can make a significant difference, especially on longer legs.

For crews, this means fewer active interventions, less nervous trimming, and a more consistent boat behavior that also works well with the autopilot. Especially on passages where the crew needs to stay alert, sleep, cook, navigate, and maintain onboard routines over several days, this kind of relief matters.

“The wing is the central element of the Parasailor: it generates lift, opens up the sail, stabilizes it, and pulls it forward at an upward angle.

As a result, the sail does not simply push the boat from behind. It stabilizes itself in front of the boat and pulls the boat behind it in a controlled way. As the wind increases, the wing takes on more and more authority within the system.”

— Günther, CEO ISTEC / Parasailor

A large downwind sail therefore needs to do more than deliver performance. It should stand as steadily as possible, process pressure in a controlled way, and guide the boat forward with stability. This is exactly where the Parasailor becomes relevant.

ARC and Parasailor share a similar view of long-distance cruising

An Atlantic crossing is not a moment for improvisation. It is a long, deliberate chain of decisions. Anyone spending many days at sea does not rely on perfect wind, but on preparation, experience, and equipment that still works when conditions change.

This is exactly why the Parasailor fits into this context: not as a sail for the spectacular moment, but as part of a long-distance cruising philosophy that values control, relief, and trust in the material more highly than pure speed.

For us, this is where our new series Before the Miles begins. Over the coming weeks, we will look at the topics that matter before a long passage: fewer engine hours, the wing principle, autopilot performance, handling, hoisting and snuffing, crew comfort, and the question of why downwind sails can behave very differently at sea.

Because long passages begin before departure. And the right downwind sail is a key item on the equipment list.