Back in 1987 when I first got into windsurfing, I couldn't understand why sails came in such awful colors. Why were the designs so geometric and angular? I wanted more graphics. After I had learned a bit more about the sport, I realized that performance, handling, manoeuvrability, durability are some of the things you look for in a sail. Gradually I came to appreciate much of the visual aesthetic of modern sails. And in thinking about the artistic side of equipment, particularly sails, I have come to see that aesthetic principles definitely influence the color combinations that manufacturers use in sails and boards.

Any decision about purchasing a sail has to be made on performance characteristics and how it fits in with the rest of my equipment. It would be a serious mistake to base a decision on the graphics or colors. The best sail exhibits the performance characteristics you need. Buying a sail just because it looks cool will almost certainly keep you from getting better faster.

Having put the issue in its proper place, I still have to say that, whether I like it or not, I am always influenced by the color and lines of sails. It seems obvious that the makers use colors, visuals, even panel shapes and seam lines to create a hot look. The market is very competitive market, after all. Even non-windsurfers will admit that a sail on the water is a beautiful sight. But we consumers of windsurfing gear don't talk much about the aesthetics of sails (or boards). Reviews of sails rarely venture beyond "great graphics."

Here are a few things I've come to believe about color in windsurfing gear. Windsurfing is an international sport. The colors and designs of windsurfing equipment go through international fashion cycles. What's cool in Germany is cool in Canada. Although we see few white or monochrome sails now, in the early days of windsurfing these were common. Yesterday, hot airbrush designs were all the rage, today cool white boards are back in. The rate of change is fairly rapid: if you don't like this year's graphics, next year they'll be different. The bold colors now used in windsurfing both create and reflect some of the exhilaration of the sport.

Certain colors seem to be used more than others. My current windsurfing calendar features almost exclusively sails in which combinations of yellow and red occupy the most space. These colors stand out well against the blue or white of the water. The yellow or red of the sail complements the blue of the water below. Many contemporary sail makers seem to follow the rule of complementary colors. (Complementary colors are those opposite each other on the color circle. The color circle runs from red through orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.)

The principle of complementary colors also works in the sail by itself. This explains why multi-color sails so often feature combinations of pink and blue, or yellow with purple or magenta. This is an effort to balance the palette. A richer texture is created by adding small amounts of hot color such as orange or red to the calmer pastels used for larger portions of the sail.

Generally the warm colors associated with summer and fire-- red, magenta, and yellow--are the most popular for sails, perhaps because they offer psychological support and encouragement to the sailor battling the elements. Although a few companies make sails that are mainly blue and green, the warmer colors stand out better against the blue of the water.

Sails could be decorated, but usually they aren't. Graphics applied directly onto sails seem mainly functional. Logos, trademarks, USWA numbers, etc. aren't put there for beauty. In the last two or three years, however, there seems to be a trend toward greater use of graphics on sails. NPU sails came out with some striking icons on their sails: fish, a champagne cork, the statue of liberty. Large-type words and model numbers such as V8 and SPEEDSTER are becoming more common. Topsails produced a series with color-splotch panels that looked for all the world like a Jackson Pollock.

Sails have been used as billboards for commercial advertising by companies such as Dixie Crystal sugar and Nivea (a European skin creme). I think I would quickly tire of graphics on my sails, just as I would of astronauts and Aztecs on my board. And because performance is so important in windsurfing equipment, it is reasonable to be suspicious of graphics and non- functional aspects of it.

With the move toward monofilm sails, the role of color becomes more crucial. Because monofilm leaves little room for color, the colors chosen have to be right. Color in the mast sleeve and batten pockets give shape and line to the appearance of the sail. Typically sail makers dress up the batten pockets with strong colors such as oranges, reds, black and white. A few makers have occasionally used the calmer blues and greens with monofilm, but to my mind this creates a chilly-looking sail. These colors are too retiring for monofilm sails which have so little color to begin with.

Ever tried photographing a windsurfer from the shore? A sail is only a tiny dot on the water. Only bold colors make any impression against the typically large waterscapes where we sail. This is one reason why sails can't be too bold. Another reason for boldly colored sails is that when I do a carving jibe in 20 knots, I want the tourists on the beach to see me and be amazed. When we buy a sail the question of image may be lurking in the unconscious mind: "How will I look out there on the water?" Sails and boards make a personal statement, after all. Go for the bold!

Are there practical aspects to color and design? Maybe some colors are safer than others. Bold colors in an overtaking rig can be seen quickly. What colors can be seen best from long distances? This might help if I need to be rescued at sea.

Obviously color and aesthetics play some part in the choice of a sail. Dealers have told me that some customers are very particular about the color of their sails. After all, you're going to be spending hours with this object two feet from your nose. But I will try to consider color only after I am sure the performance characteristics will be right. For me, if the color or graphics aren't right, I won't buy it. I'll wind up unhappy with the sail.

(Originally published in Southeast Boardsailor in the early 1990s.)

revised: April 05, 2001