Cole Brauer, Global Solo Challenge, 2024. Read the Global Solo Challenge Gale Sail reviewCole Brauer, the first American woman to race solo non-stop around the world in the Global Solo Challenge, sailed with an ATN Gale Sail aboard. She posted a TikTok demonstrating the rig in the Southern Ocean.
The ATN Gale Sail is a patented storm jib that hoists over your furled headsail. No detachable inner forestay, no dropping the genoa in 35 knots, no foredeck wrestling with hank-on canvas. Storm-orange Dacron meets ISAF OSR 4.26.2(a). Original design patented by Axel Lage in Germany, improved by Etienne Giroire and sold worldwide since 1997. Three sizes for boats 28 to 52 ft. Custom above 52 ft.
Let’s Set The Mood
You’re sailing on a lee shore and the wind is getting stronger. Your boat is overpowered and you can’t point high enough into the wind anymore, you are at risk to be blown onto rocks. You have reefed your mainsail and furled your genny 3 turns and you still can’t point high enough: it is time for a storm jib. This is where the ATN Gale Sail shines. Furl your Genoa all the way, hank on your ATN Gale Sail, hoist with the spinnaker halyard, trim flat, and you will find that you can now point away from the lee shore and resume travelling safely.
How It Works: Hoist Over the Furled Headsail
The Gale Sail is engineered around a Dacron pouch sewn onto its luff. The pouch wraps around your furled headsail. The furled sail plus the furler extrusion form a stiff, straight luff for the storm jib. You hoist with the spinnaker halyard. No inner forestay, no removable stay, no dropping the genoa. The whole rig deploys before the storm peaks instead of in the middle of it.
The deployment sequence has three steps:
- Completely furl the genoa, then overfurl and wind the sheets down to deck level.
- Hank the ATN Gale Sail’s piston hanks around the furled headsail. Piston hanks and grommets are clearly labeled. Practical Sailor’s 2009 test noted that working the hanks into position is easier in advance of heavy weather, which is why our standard advice is “set it before conditions get too rough.”
- Finally, hoist with the spinnaker halyard and trim to the storm-jib sheet leads. The tack line we supply with the sail (about 6 ft) sets the proper sheeting angle. The furled sail plus furler give the Gale Sail a stiff luff and excellent upwind shape. This stiff luff will give better drive and less drag than a hank-on storm jib on a removable inner forestay.
Pricing
The ATN Gale Sail is offered in three fixed sizes by boat length, plus a custom build above 52 ft.
$1,354.50
60 sq ft
boats 28′ to 35′
$1,800.75
100 sq ft
boats 36′ to 43′
$2,404.50
150 sq ft
boats 44′ to 52′
Custom
Over 52′ LOA
Built to order, 3 to 5 week lead time.
Most US orders arrive in about a week via Ground delivery. International orders ship FedEx International, USPS Priority Mail International or DHL; transit depends on customs.
We also convert existing storm jibs into Gale Sails at $28.50 per foot of luff length (so a 20 ft luff is about $570). The pouch adds 10 to 15 sq ft depending on size, in 8 oz soft Dacron reinforced with webbing, finished white with a storm-orange top. Contact us for a retrofit quote.
Product specs
| Construction | Patented storm jib with a Dacron pouch on the luff that wraps the furled headsail. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 8 oz storm-orange Dacron (60 and 100 sq ft), 9-1/2 oz (150 sq ft), ISAF OSR 4.26.2(a) compliant (post-2014 builds). |
| Luff attachment | Oversized piston hanks, webbed grommets, EasySlide Dacron pouch. |
| Hoist | Spinnaker halyard (or a spare halyard). Supplied with a 6 ft tack line. |
| Stock sizes | 60 sq ft, 100 sq ft, 150 sq ft. |
| Custom sizes | Above 52 ft, built to order. |
| Retrofit | $28.50 per foot of luff length; ship in an existing storm jib for conversion. |
| First produced | 1997. Original design patented by Axel Lage in Germany, improved by Etienne Giroire. |
| Patent | Cover Sail patent (Axel Lage, Europe, plus US patent). |
| Ship weight | About 22 to 32 lb depending on size; box approximately 28″ × 18″ × 9″. |
Boat-size guidance
A 28 to 35 ft boat typically takes the 60 sq ft Gale Sail (luff 4.90 m, leech 3.70 m, foot 2.30 m). A 36 to 43 ft boat typically takes the 100 sq ft. A 44 to 52 ft boat typically takes the 150 sq ft (approximately 27 lb, ships in a 28 × 16 × 10 in box). Boats over 52 ft are custom builds; contact us for a quote.
The sizing rule of thumb is that a true storm jib should be no larger than 5 percent of your I measurement squared. Send us your I measurement and boat model and we will confirm. If you don’t know your I measurement, in many cases you can find it at sailboatdata.com.
Recommended Gale Sail size calculator
Enter your I measurement to see your recommended max storm-jib area (0.05 × I²) and the matching ATN Gale Sail size.
Don't know your I measurement? You can often find it for your boat here - https://sailboatdata.com/
Technical Points
- The EasySlide Dacron pouch is designed to slide easily over the furled genoa because it is another polyester cloth.
- The wrap-around pouch system is not just a convenience. The sail benefits from the added stiffening of the roller-furling extrusions and the very stiff headstay.
- The front edge of the ATN Gale Sail is now similar to the airfoil of a slow plane; this enhances its drive and minimizes drag. In gale conditions the sail is experiencing the same apparent wind speed as an ultralight plane would.
- As a point of comparison, a storm jib hanked onto a removable stay will never get a straight luff and will always have more drag and less drive relative to the ATN Gale Sail.
- The ATN Gale Sail will prevent the accidental unfurling of the genoa once set.
Compliance & Specs
ISAF OSR 4.26.2(a), post-2014 builds
Storm jib body of highly-visible colored material (e.g. dayglo pink, orange, or yellow) or a highly-visible colored patch at least 50 percent of the area of the sail (up to a maximum diameter of 3 m) added on each side; also that a rotating wing mast should have a highly-visible colored patch on each side. Storm sails purchased after January 2014 shall have the material of the body of the sail of highly-visible color. ATN Gale Sails built since 2014 are constructed of storm-orange Dacron meeting this requirement.
US Sailing Prescription, approved 12 March 2012, effective 1 January 2014
US Sailing prescribes that the requirement for a highly-visible colored material or patch covering 50 percent of the area of storm jibs in ISAF OSR 4.26.2(a) is a recommendation in the US. After January 1, 2014, the requirements for new storm sails in ISAF OSR 4.26.2(a) shall apply to CAT 0, 1, 2, and 3. This requirement grandfathers all storm sails made prior to January 1, 2014.
Fabric
Storm-orange (8 oz or 9-1/2 oz depending on size) Dacron, body color carries the OSR visibility requirement without aftermarket dye or patches. Webbed grommets and oversized piston hanks for offshore service.
Where to use it
The offshore-bound cruiser preparing for an ocean passage
Bermuda races, Pacific circumnavigations, Salty Dawg fleet, OSTAR fleet, Newport to Bermuda. Boats 36 to 52 ft on a passage where the forecast is 30 to 45 knots and a survival storm is on the table. Randy Williamson on a Beneteau 445 used the Gale Sail in 30 to 45 knots from Bermuda to the Chesapeake and flew it almost the entire trip. Pepper R. on the 52 ft ketch Lolita used it “often, in survival storms to just average trade winds of 30 to 35 knots for days at a time” on a circumnavigation.
The shorthanded cruiser caught out in weather
Cruising couples who cannot manage a hank-on storm jib in a real storm. The Gale Sail’s whole value is that it bends on before the storm peaks, hoisted with the spinnaker halyard, no inner forestay required. Oz on a Leopard 47 wrote: “Flawless. Exactly right. It attached well to the furled genoa and hoisted cleanly. Like all good products, the process was obvious.”
The ISAF / OSR racer
Offshore racing crews preparing for a CAT 0, 1, 2, or 3 race after January 1, 2014 must carry a storm jib that meets OSR 4.26.2(a). The Gale Sail’s storm-orange Dacron body satisfies the rule without needing a separate orange storm-jib build. SAIL Magazine and Practical Sailor have both reviewed the sail as a compliant offshore storm jib.
The cruising multihull
Catamarans and trimarans without an inner forestay. The Gale Sail removes the “where do I hang a storm jib” problem on a single-headstay multihull. ATN has fielded a 100 sq ft Gale Sail trial on a Nautitech 442.
The repaired roller-furler save
William Ennis’s Passport 40 Wings on the French Polynesia to Cook Islands return passage. Their roller furler failed in 35 knots and 20 ft seas. The Gale Sail bent on, restored control, and was awarded their “Best Gear Award” for the trip.
Why Choose ATN
US Sailing Safety at Sea
recommended/suggested equipment
CCA Newport to Bermuda
recommended/suggested equipment
Salty Dawg Sailing Association
recommended/suggested equipment
OSTAR organizers
recommended/suggested equipment
Practical Sailor
first recommended July 1997, retested 2009
SAIL Magazine
side-by-side test, 2010 & 2016
2,000+ Gale Sails
in service worldwide
40+ years
ATN, founded 1985 by Etienne Giroire
Customer concerns addressed
I can’t hank a storm jib on the foredeck in 40 knots. Can I really rig the Gale Sail in storm conditions?
Two CruisersForum voices (Ellis McKinley and svBeBe) raise exactly this. Ellis: “I never could figure out how to get the thing rigged in storm conditions without flinging myself overboard.” svBeBe: “When caught in an unpredicted storm in the Bay of Bengal, it was impossible to even think about putting up the gale sail.” This is a fair concern.
ATN’s design intent and our standard advice is the same: bend on the Gale Sail before the storm peaks. Practical Sailor agrees: “Because the crew will be working with a flogging sail at the bow of the boat, exposed to wind and waves, this sail is best set before conditions get too rough.” Real-world offshore use bears out the early-rig discipline. Benz on CruisersForum (2026), on a 42 ft Fountaine Pajot catamaran from Charleston to Ft Pierce during a Norther: “It was not difficult to rig or hoist, and it worked admirably to scoot us.” DannyS on SailboatOwners (2010), having set the Gale Sail in advance of sustained 25 knots and 6 ft seas: the boat “immediately stood up tall and still reached along at 7+ knots.” The Gale Sail is designed for the cruiser who reads the forecast, sees 30 to 45 knots coming, and gets the storm jib up while the genoa is still in the foredeck workspace.
If you do get caught out: While it is always best to set your storm sails BEFORE they are needed, if you get caught with your pants down there is a way to get your ATN Gale Sail up in tougher conditions. The scene: you are on building seas and the wind keeps increasing. You have reefed your mainsail down to 2 reefs. You have a partially furled genoa, but you are still overpowered and need to set the ATN Gale Sail. You MUST Heave To. First, overfurl the genoa. Second, trim the mainsail flat with the traveler down. Turn the wheel upwind until the boat stalls. You are now hove to. The boat has slowed down and is now drifting sideways, you are partially protected by your boat’s own wake. You can now go forward to rig on the ATN Gale Sail.
Will the spinnaker halyard handle a storm-jib load?
Yes, it works great. The ATN Gale Sail does not require extreme tensioning of the luff due to its design taking advantage of the stiffness of the roller-furler extrusions; this is a large part of why it works so well.
Featured: Global Solo Challenge
What sailors, racers, and reviewers say
Press & Magazine
Blue Water Sailing editorial, Blue Water Sailing, 2018-03-07. Read on Blue Water SailingInstead of buying a storm jib, many skippers are going with ATN's Gale Sail or a smaller bulletproof jib on the roller furling.
Joani Hotte-Jean, Québec Yachting Magazine, 2013-08-01. Read on Québec Yachting MagazineLe tourmentin Gale Sail d'ATN s'endraille par-dessus le génois enroulé et se hisse avec la drisse du spinnaker. Une fois étarqué, le Gale Sail empêche le génois de se dérouler accidentellement. Le fait que le guindant du Gale Sail soit supporté par l'étai avant et l'enrouleur procure un bord d'attaque droit qui garantit son efficacité au plus près du vent. [Translation: The ATN Gale Sail threads over the rolled genoa and is hoisted with the spinnaker halyard. Once tensioned, it prevents the genoa from accidentally unrolling. Its luff supported by the headstay and furler provides a straight leading edge guaranteeing effectiveness when sailing close to the wind.]
Dave Proctor (Global Solo Challenge), Global Solo Challenge, 2022-08-27. Read on Global Solo ChallengeThis system provides the sail with great shape with fantastic aerodynamics, indeed it is even much better than a conventional storm jib hanked onto a removable headstay. The Gale Sail is part of the Cover Sail patent, from Europe's well-known inventor Axel Lage and incredibly it has been available in Europe for years (so it is definitely not an untested product).
Forum & Community
SkywalkerII, SailNet Community, 2012-07-18. Read on SailNet CommunityI use the Gale Sail on my Tartan 27. I've had a few occasions to use it. I had no problem bending it on in 35-45 kts when the remnants of hurricane Ivan came through. I have a deep second reef in my main. This combo served me well on my sturdy little boat. Balanced beautifully, very comfortable boat speed and motion. I have the smallest Gale Sail - its smallll and easy to handle.
DannyS, SailboatOwners Forums, 2010-09-15. Read on SailboatOwners ForumsI love this sail! I've used it many times this summer, we've had an unusually windy summer. This past weekend, I sailed in my first solo distance race and the trip home saw sustained 25 knots and six foot seas. I started with a double reefed main and the full 150% genoa which was good for a wild ride. I decided to furl the headsail and put up the Gale Sail to settle things down a bit. The boat immediately stood up tall and still reached along at 7+ knots. Very comfortable! Once back into the islands where I normally sail, the wind was still over 20 and often over 25, I found I was able to beat into the wind with the same tacking angles as with my full headsail. Even beating into the wind I was making 6 knots. This was my first real test with this sail and I couldn't be more happy with it.
Customer letters
Randy Williamson, ATN Testimonials Page. Read on ATN Testimonials PageI purchased your Gale Sail for my Beneteau 445 and used it 30-45 knots of wind on the passage from Bermuda to the Chesapeake. It worked great! We flew the Gale Sail almost the entire time.
Pepper R., ATN Testimonials Page. Read on ATN Testimonials PageI have known Etienne Giroire of ATN for over thirty years. Not only is he a great sailor, he has invented some great products to make sailing more enjoyable and safe. I bought two items from him before my wife and I set sail to do a circumnavigation in our 52 ft. ketch Lolita in 1999. The ATN Gale Sail (storm jib) was used often, in survival storms to just average trade winds of 30 to 35 knots for days at a time. Easy and safe, it is a must on any yacht. The ATN Spinnaker Sleeve made using a Spinnaker easy and fun. I know I would not have even taken the spinnaker along without his sleeve. I am in the process of retiring again from selling yachts and setting sail on my new yacht (48 Amel Ketch) to the South Pacific and I'm buying both the spinnaker sleeve and the Gale Sail from my friend ATN.
Oz, Leopard 47, ATN Gale Sail Page. Read on ATN Gale Sail PageI raised my Gale Sale today for the first time. Flawless. Exactly right. It attached well to the furled genoa and hoisted cleanly. Like all good products, the process was obvious.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Gale Sail do I need for my boat?
Size is based on rig dimensions, not just boat length. A true storm jib must be no larger than 5 percent of your I measurement squared. 28 to 35 ft boats typically use the 60 sq ft.
36 to 43 ft boats typically need the 100 sq ft, which is also built from heavier cloth than the 60. 44 to 52 ft boats use the 150 sq ft. If you want a dedicated storm jib only, size down.
If you want a second working jib for heavy weather as well, size up. Use the calculator a bit further up in this page or send us your I measurement and boat model and we will confirm.
How does the Gale Sail compare to the Storm-Bag?
The Gale Sail stows in less room and wins on offshore passages. SAIL Magazine (David Schmidt, 2016): “The Gale Sail shines on longer passages and for serious offshore work.
” Practical Sailor (June 2009): “for a sailor looking for this type of product, it is a better option than the Storm-Bag,” at about $350 less than a comparably
sized Storm-Bag for a 36-foot full-keeled test boat.
Read the Practical Sailor review.
Can I hoist with the spinnaker halyard, or do I need a spare halyard?
The Gale Sail hoists with the spinnaker halyard by default. If you have a spare offshore halyard run (recommended for serious passages anyway), use the spare and keep the spinnaker halyard
as backup. Storm-jib loads on a 60 to 150 sq ft sail are well within a properly sized spinnaker halyard’s working load.
How do I take it down in seas?
Why would you? That’s when you should be using it. In most cases wait until the storm dies and then take it down.
I have a cutter rig. Where do I hoist the Gale Sail?
On a cutter you have options. Hoist over the furled staysail when you are hove-to (it keeps the storm-jib area centered over the lateral plane). Hoist over the furled genoa when you are
running off in a storm (it moves area forward, useful with a deeply reefed main). Both work; the choice depends on your sail plan and the apparent wind angle you are settling for.
Does the Gale Sail meet ISAF OSR storm-sail rules?
Yes. Gale Sails built since 2014 are constructed of storm-orange Dacron meeting ISAF OSR 4.26.2(a). The US Sailing Prescription (approved 12 March 2012, effective January 1, 2014) applies
the OSR requirements to CAT 0, 1, 2, and 3 races. Gale Sails purchased before January 1, 2014 are grandfathered.
Can I store it in the rope locker?
Yes. The Gale Sail packs into a compact box (about 28 × 18 × 9 in, 22 to 32 lb depending on size). On the boat, it lives in its own bag in the rope locker or the V-berth.
SAIL Magazine noted: “it takes up considerably less room” than the Storm-Bag.
What is the fabric warranty?
Storm-orange Dacron and oversized piston hanks are built for offshore service. We do not publish a fixed-year warranty because storm sails are by definition expected to see survival
conditions; instead we support the product with parts, repair, and rebuild. Send photos and a description if you ever need work. Pepper R. used hers for a circumnavigation. William
Ennis used his for the French Polynesia rescue and gave it the “Best Gear Award.”
Can you retrofit my existing storm jib into a Gale Sail?
Yes. Ship your storm jib to ATN. We add the Gale Sail pouch / sleeve that slides over your furled headsail at $28.50 per foot of luff length (so a 20 ft luff is about $570). The pouch
adds 10 to 15 sq ft depending on size, in 8 oz soft Dacron reinforced with webbing, finished white with a storm-orange top. Before sending, consider whether our standard ATN Gale Sail
(proven, class-legal, stocked in 60 / 100 / 150) ships immediately and may suit you better. Email with pictures of what you have before sending to coordinate on expected lead times.
Custom size lead time above 52 ft?
Custom sizes above 52 ft are built to order in our Pinellas Park, FL shop. Lead time runs 3 to 5 weeks for fabric ordering, sail layout, sewing, and finishing, plus shipping. Contact
us with your boat make, model, year, I measurement, and intended use to start a quote.
