For those who are still unsure about ILCA sails, they are the Class Legal and Official Sails for the International Laser Class Association (ILCA). 

Hyde are one of the ILCA (previously Laser) sail manufacturers and have been making sails for the ILCA since the early 80s due to their highly accurate manufacturing templates and manufacturing methods. They are the longest supplier of ILCA/Sails worldwide.

Here at Sailing Chandlery we can offer you the ILCA 4, ILCA 6 or ILCA 7 sail with 3 options. You can purchase just the sail, purchase an ILCA sail package or a rig package.

The ILCA / Laser has 3 main Rig options, the ILCA 4, 6 or 7. These have been previously known as Laser Standard, Radial and 4.7. The rigs differ in size to help broaden the weight range of sailors and make this a boat for life.

You can start as a child in the ILCA 4 from 45KG to a fully grown adult just by swapping the size of the sail and the lower mast section.

Estimated Weight Recommendation 

• ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7 weight range is 45kg-60kg
• ILCA 6 / Laser Radial weight range is 60-75kg
• ILCA 7 / Laser Standard weight range is 75-90kg

The rigs can be easily swapped and a lot of Laser sailors have 2 rigs one for stronger winds and one for lighter winds.

MKII Standard Sail/ New ILCA 7 Sail

In late 2015 The MKII Standard Sail was introduced after extensive testing and development of the new bi-radial cut sail.

This new version of the Standard/ ILCA 7 Sail was introduced with the main intention of improving durability. Over the years the Laser/ ILCA has been upgraded with new purchase systems and these are being used on a sail that was not designed for these additional forces therefore hindering the durability and longevity of the MK1 sails.

What is the Difference between the MK1 and MKII

• New 4.5oz cloth instead of the 3.8oz cloth
• Radial Cut Cloth Over Cross Cut
• Additional and better-placed reinforcing patches on the mast sleeve
• MKII Batten Pockets and Battens With Velcro Pockets
• Bigger Window for visibility

All of these changes help to improve the durability and maintain the sail shape under load.

The ILCA 6 Sail / Laser Radial Sail has been available since the 80s and is aimed at sailors with a weight between 60 and 75 kg. This size makes it around 19% smaller than a ILCA7 / Standard Rig. The sail uses the same top mast section but requires a smaller bottom section specifically designed for the ILCA 6 / Radial sail. The Sail is easily identifiable due to the sail having blue corners.

Around the same time of the Radial sail the ILCA 4 Sail / Laser 4.7 was also introduced. The Sail is aimed at sailors progressing from Toppers and Optimists with a weight between 45 and 60 kg. This size makes it around 18% smaller than a ILCA6 / Radial. The sail uses the same top mast section but requires a smaller bottom section specifically designed for the ILCA 4 / 4.7 sail. This ILCA 4 mast has a slight bend to move the centre of effort back on the boat. The Sail is easily identifiable due to the sail having Orange corners or previously the 4.7 logo on the sail.

What Materials Are Used and Total Sail Area

At Sailing Chandlery we offer an ILCA sail package which includes:

• The ILCA sail of your chosen size with a folded sail bag
• Battens
• Sail Numbers

We also offer an ILCA rig package which includes:

• The ILCA sail of your chosen size with a folded sail bag
• Battens
• Sail Numbers
• Lower Mast Section for the sail size