Ratsey and Lapthorn were the preeminent sailmakers of the twentieth century, with lofts in Cowes, England, and City Island, New York. The New York branch was opened in 1902, on the encouragement of some prominent American yachtsmen who realized the superiority of the Ratsey and Lapthorn sails over their American counterparts. The company made sails for all of the major American yacht designers of the period, and for countless less well-known designers as well. Their sails were made of cotton, however in the years after World War II synthetic sail materials were developed, notably Dacron, which provided an increasing challenge to their business, and the City Island operation ultimately closed in 1982.
There are no restrictions on access.
Although IYRS Maritime Library has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is the responsibility of researchers or anyone wishing to quote this material to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Ratsey and Lapthorn Sail Plan Collection, 5466, International Yacht Restoration School.
A collection of over 1,000 blueprint sail plans, provided by boat designers and owners to Ratsey and Lapthorn (RL), the majority with pencil annotations by RL noting sail types, dimensions, etc. Many plans with multiple dates and annotations as changes were made to sails and rigging over the years. Also many tracings from blueprint plans, made in most cases by RL. Circa 1905-1980. The largest number of plans in the collection are for boats designed by John Alden and Sparkman and Stephens. There are also many plans by Philip Rhodes, L. Francis Herreshoff (and other Herreshoff family members) and a smaller number by Sam Crocker, K. Aage Nielsen and C. Raymond Hunt. Additional designers include Edwin Schock, Wirth Munroe, Carl Alberg, Al Mason, Charles Mower, Eldredge-McInnis, W. Starling Burgess, Luders, Nevins, Hubbard, Kettenberg etc. All works are blueprints unless otherwise stated.
Complete descriptions are available on the IYRS Maritime Library website.
PLEASE NOTE: We will be adding works to this listing on a regular basis, as the plans are cataloged.
Loose individual sheets.
Donated to the Museum of Yachting.