Dear IC 37 sailors,

I am sure you are looking forward to a fun season with a lot of boats on the starting line. The IC37 class is simply the place to be if you are looking for the best keelboat One Design sailing in North America. At North Sails we are as enthusiastic as ever about this season and here to help as always.

After communicating with the class leadership, the technical committee has tentatively approved small updates to the mains and jibs for 2023 (starting 2022-2023 winter circuit). After four seasons of Class sailing it is time for a sail details refresh. The benefits of strict one design sails are clear, eliminating the arms race that often are the killer of one design classes like the 37. But a subtle refresh makes sure the boats and sails look and feel modern and makes the sail use experience that much better for all.

It is very important to know that the overall shape and construction and weight of the sails will not change. So anyone sailing in 2023 with 2022 sails will not be at a disadvantage. But again, you likely will notice these small changes to the sails making them a bit more user friendly. We thoroughly understand that through this process it is imperative that the existing sails are not made obsolete in any way. The goal is simply to modernize some details that we know can be done better after four years of experience. Below are the proposed updates.

1- Change to all black webbings – only the edge tapes will be white. The contrasting edge tapes mean that coaches can see the edges of the sails from off the boat.
2- Move the trim stripes at the foot of the jib down about a meter. It is too high in the current jib to help much with jib lead position.
3- Add a single vertical webbing to the cunningham ring – this is one of the things that the service team has repaired most.
4- Sails will be supplied with the M10 links for the battens.

With the above actions anticipated we have drawn down stock. All orders to date have been filled but we have stopped building 2022 stock Mains and Jibs and have none left in stock. We will continue to stock Asymmetrics, just not Mains and Jibs in anticipation of the 2023 models.

With that said, we will build 2022 mains and jibs on a case by case basis but at this stage we would expect delivery for mid August, so a new 2022 model sail would at this stage likely only be for the NA’s. The order drop dead date for a 2022 main or jib will be Friday, June 3.

Because of the sail button rule we really don’t anticipate anyone ordering a 2022 model and we will wait until the fall to create the new batch of stock for the winter series and racing going ahead, but we wanted to make this option available if one so chooses.

We are set to go for the summer with all orders filled. All systems go. If you have any questions or suggestions please don’t hesitate to call me directly. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Regards, Tim Healy
Global Head of Sales IC 37 Sails Manager
[email protected]

May 12, 2022