Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
5 Star Rated by Sailors
Trusted For 13 Years
Over 55,000+ Orders Shipped
90 Day Risk Free Returns
Price Match Promise
Ready For The Bank Holiday Weekend? ⛵️
Order by Midday Today For Delivery Friday
April 01, 2025 3 min read
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 has 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 sail or an ILCA sail or rig package.
The ILCA / Laser has 3 main Rig options. ILCA, 4, 6, 7 These are also 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.
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 witht 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 65 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, the Radial Sail The ILCA 4 Sail / Laser 4.7 was introduced. The Sail is aimed at sailors Progressing from Toppers and Optimist 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 previous 4.7 Logo on the Sail.
What Materials Are Used and Total Sail Area
ILCA 4/ Formerly 4.7 | ILCA 6/ Formerly Radial | ILCA 7 / Formerly Standard | |
Weight of Cloth | 4.2oz | 4.2oz | 4.5oz |
Material | White Dacron |
White Dacron |
White Dacron |
Sail Area | 4.7 Square Meters | 5.76 Square Meters |
7.06 Square Meters |
Batten Type | MK1 Battens | MK1 Batten | MK2 Tapered Battens |
Lower Mast Length | 1810mm | 2262mm |
2865mm |
Corner Colour | Orange | Blue | White |
ILCA Sail Package includes,
-Sail / Foled Sail bag
-Battens
-Sail Numbers
ILCA Rig Package includes,
-Sail / Folded Sail bag
-Battens
-Sail Numbers
-Lower Mast Section
Just what we needed, bought a second hand Topper, needed new ropes, sorted..Fitting instructions could be clearer for novices.
Very speedy delivery, and the special short length is just what I ordered. Ordering couldn’t have been simpler. Excellent service.
Harken block
Bought when I changed the wheels - arrived well wrapped with the wheels and on time. Easy to fit quality product. Good service
Easy to fit and seem to be robust as a replacement for my Trolley wheels. Arrived as promised very well wrapped. Worth checking if you need new washers and clips to add to your order.
Though not cheap this control line swivel block is just the job. Well worth the money imho.
Always can rely on sailing chandlery leading up to a busy event season ! Great service, great products all round !
Excellent, fair pricing, fast delivery! Would recommend
Slides easily through the blocks whilst providing firm grip
Item has brilliant bounce back ability, thanks
Simple to fit and makes launching and recovery simple. Well worth the investment
Quality material and design enables my lug sail to be stowed securely on it's spars
Great wide and grippy tyres for a shingle/sharp launching area and compound for an RS400.
Receive fantastic service couldn’t help any more if they tried. Arranged for me to collect my order at a time that suited even when it was outside of working hours. Much appreciated, thank you sailing Chandlery.
Excellent gloves, perhaps the best I have used. The fingers are long enough to provide protection from sheets/halyards and fit nicely so that ropes cannot get between the glove and finger. If the winter gloves are any guide they should also be very durable.
Save up to 40%on your next order.