45 Degrees Sailingvideo
BLACK SAILS! Finally fitting Mila Felice' new wind benders
10 March 2026 · 20 min · 2K views · Croatia
What this video covers
Nick fits a new set of black, in-mast furling sails from Ratsey & Lapthorne to his boat, *Mila Felice*, while docked in Croatia.▶ 6:35 The installation process involves feeding the mainsail head into the mast’s internal bead line and securing the tack to the mast hook.▶ 8:27 Nick and his assistant test the fit of the new mainsail and jib, noting the ease of the furling operation and the sail shape.▶ 15:34 They discuss the mechanical differences between various in-mast furling systems, specifically comparing hook-based tack attachments to shackle-based systems and the risks of snapping a furling line.▶ 9:37 The jib installation requires minor adjustments to the clew position to optimize sheeting angles for sailing close-hauled.▶ 18:21 The sails fit correctly on the first attempt, though the boat remains in winter maintenance mode with pending tasks like re-installing the bimini and steering wheels before the season begins.▶ 20:14
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