How to Measure Sails

Measuring Mainsails

• 1

  Attach a long tape measure to the main halyard and hoist it to the maximum height you would like the sail to hit. If you have a sail, hoist the sail until it's fully extended.

• 2

  Measure to the mast bands and then to the top of the boom's surface.

• 3

  Move the tape measure to the aft end of the boom and measure to where you want the clew ring to hit.

• 4

  Lower the tape measure and attach it to the out haul line.

• 5

  Pull the out line to the maximum point of draw and measure from that point to the aft face of the mast.

Measuring the Headsails

• 6

  Attach the tape measure to the jib halyard and hoist the jib halyard until it reaches the top. Measure to where you will attach the sail's tack.

• 7

  Measure the distance horizontally between the tack fitting and the mast.

• 8

  Attach the tape measure to the upper furling and hoist.

• 9

  Measure down to the tack fitting on the furling drum.