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.


Ratsey & Lapthorn
1790
George Rogers Ratsey establishes Ratsey Sailmakers in Cowes.
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1800
George Rogers Ratsey builds sails for HMS Victory. A fore top sail remains in the Naval museum in Portsmouth.
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1825
James Lapthorn establishes his loft in Gosport
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1870
Lapthorn Sailmakers builds sails for the British America’s Cup challenger Cambria
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1871
Ratsey Sailmakers builds sails for the British America’s Cup challenger Livonia
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1885
The British America’s Cup challenger Genestra carries Lapthorn Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1886
The British America’s Cup challenger Galatea carries Lapthorn Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1887
The British America’s Cup Challenger Thistle carries all Ratsey Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1889
The firms of Ratsey from Cowes and Lapthorn from Gosport merge to become Ratsey & Lapthorn Ltd
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1893
The British America’s Cup Challenger Valkyre 2 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1895
The British America’s Cup Challenger Valkyre 3 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1899
The British America’s Cup Challenger Shamrock 1 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1901
The British America’s Cup Challenger Shamrock 2 carries all Ratsey and Lapthorn Sails
Ratsey & Lapthorn
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1902
The new loft in New York is commissioned to make the sails for the American America’s Cup entrant and winner Columbia
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
1934
The New York loft builds sails for the U.S. Cup defender Rainbow whilst the Gosport loft equips Endeavor 1, the British entrant
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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.
Ratsey & Lapthorn
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.
Ratsey & Lapthorn
2017
Jim Hartley and Simon Brazier purchase Ratsey & Lapthorn
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.
Ratsey & Lapthorn
2023
Hattie Dumas joins Ratsey & Lapthorn as our latest apprentice sailmaker, carrying on an unbroken tradition of master-to-apprentice tutelage since 1790.
Ratsey & Lapthorn

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