Our
History

Founded in 1790, the history of Ratsey & Lapthorn is synonymous with that of yachting. Our first sail loft preceded the establishment of yachting and for over two hundred years, the world’s leading yachts have been suited with our sails. From our origins in Cowes and early involvement with the Royal Yacht Squadron, we grew to establish lofts on the British mainland, in New York and Florida. For over a hundred years Ratsey & Lapthorn were the sailmakers of choice for yachts from both sides of the Atlantic competing for The America’s Cup. Members of Ratsey & Lapthorn families have sailed on the greatest yachts and liaised with a client base that included Kings, Emperors and tycoons.

Today, we still operate from our spiritual home in Cowes, as well as Barcelona in the Mediterranean, and continue to provide sails for some of the most beautiful yachts in the world.

1790

George Rogers Ratsey establishes Ratsey Sailmakers in Cowes.

1800

George Rogers Ratsey builds sails for HMS Victory. A fore top sail remains in the Naval museum in Portsmouth.

1825

James Lapthorn establishes his loft in Gosport

1870

Lapthorn Sailmakers builds sails for the British America’s Cup challenger Cambria

1871

Ratsey Sailmakers builds sails for the British America’s Cup challenger Livonia

1885

The British America’s Cup challenger Genestra carries Lapthorn Sails

1886

The British America’s Cup challenger Galatea carries Lapthorn Sails

1887

The British America’s Cup Challenger Thistle carries all Ratsey Sails

1889

The firms of Ratsey from Cowes and Lapthorn from Gosport merge to become Ratsey & Lapthorn Ltd

1893

The British America’s Cup Challenger Valkyre 2 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails

1895

The British America’s Cup Challenger Valkyre 3 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails

1899

The British America’s Cup Challenger Shamrock 1 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails

1901

The British America’s Cup Challenger Shamrock 2 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails

1902

The new loft in New York is commissioned to make the sails for the American America’s Cup entrant and winner Columbia

1903

Ratsey & Lapthorn, New York, build sails for the next America's Cup defender Reliance, the same year the British loft equips its challenger Shamrock 3 with Ratsey & Lapthorn sails

1917

After fifteen successful years in New York, George Ratsey opens a new loft on City Island; three floors, each over 150 ft long, making it the largest sail loft in the world

1930

James Lapthorn develops a new, heavy cotton strand from Sudan. At 29.03 oz, it was the heaviest sailcloth yet. Despite its high cost, it was used for Migrant, the world's largest schooner at 220 ft long

1934

The New York loft builds sails for the U.S. Cup defender Rainbow whilst the Gosport loft equips Endeavor 1, the British entrant

1937

Ratsey & Lapthorn are again the choice on both sides of the pond. The New York loft building sails for the Cup defender and ‘Super J’ Ranger, whilst the UK loft equips Endeavor 2, the British entrant with George Ratsey amongst the crew

1942

As part of the war effort, Ratsey & Lapthorn equip the U.S forces with custom canvas, including tank covers. They also develop a rescue boat for downed airmen that was attached and deployed from the undercarriage of a plane

1958

The New York loft builds 27 sails for the America’s Cup contender Columbia whilst the UK loft equips Sceptre, the British entrant. Colin Ratsey sails on board the American boat whilst George Ratsey crews for the British

1982

After the demise of the great sailing yachts and the introduction of modern synthetic fabrics, Ratsey & Lapthorn announces the closure of the New York loft

1991

Built by Astilleros de Mallorca in 1984 to an Arthur Holgate design, almost 65m high, Adix remains one of the largest sailing yachts built since the 1930s. Ratsey & Lapthorn was proud to provide sails both in 1991 and again in 2002.

2015

Ratsey & Lapthorn relocate to larger premises in Cowes at Somerton Works. With one of the largest unsupported wooden roofs in the South of England, this provided a loft with a much larger floor space.

2017

Jim Hartley and Simon Brazier purchase Ratsey & Lapthorn

2021

Cynara, built by Camper and Nicholson in 1927, a 96 ft two-masted, gaff-rigged classic yacht, was fully restored to an extraordinary level of detail in Japan. As the original sailmaker at her launch, we were delighted to make the sails for this historic restoration.

2023

Hattie Dumas joins Ratsey & Lapthorn as our latest apprentice sailmaker, carrying on an unbroken tradition of master-to-apprentice tutelage since 1790.

Our History

Welcome to our world

Our
History