Image copyright North Sails New Zealand.
by Zoe Hawkins
The same technology used by top North Sails designers is now available as an iPhone/iPad App.
Described as a ‘lite’ version of Sailscan – which is the powerful professional program that digitally analyzes photos of sails to provide detailed and accurate measurements and comparisons – the North Sails Scan App will assist customers with collecting and recording information about sailshape and sail trim, even while they are sailing.
The Application has been tested for two months in the App stores of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany, and is now available in New Zealand and worldwide.
“This software helps you to be more scientific about your sail wardrobe,” says Andrew Wills of North Sails New Zealand. “It will be a lot easier for you to discuss sail shapes with us, because essentially you can photograph each sail as many times as you like, and it will store the image and analyse the shape.”
“The app makes it quick and easy to take a photo while you are racing, that you can look at and analyse later. So, for example, you can photograph your headsail in one mode, make an adjustment to your sheeting angle and photograph it again, then later on when you have more time, compare the sail’s performance in the different modes. It also lets you see how a sail has changed in the months or years since you have owned it, and helps you to give more detailed and accurate information to your North Sails consultant.”
Image copyright North Sails New Zealand.
The program allows you to easily store an image library of your sails in different modes and at different times, with information such as hours of use and other inventory data. It calculates and stores measurements such as draft, camber and twist, for each image, as well as sailing conditions when the image was taken.
The North Sails Scan App will also be used extensively by North Sails representatives on the water.
For more information visit www.nz.northsails.com, or your Apple Apps store.
