Instructions for Applying Sail Numbers
Style and Colour
Only self-adhesive, stick on sail numbers and letters may be used. Each one shall be a single, solid
colour, and easy to read. The last four numbers on both sides of the sail shall be the same dark colour,
preferably black. The numbers in front of the last four shall all be another, obviously different colour,
preferably red. National letters are only required at international events, and shall all be the same colour.
Preparation
If the sail is not new, it should be sponged clean with mild soapy water, rinsed and dried. Find a
large, clean, flat, hard surface to work on, such as a table or clean wooden floor.
Template
Make a template that each number will just fit inside. See the Positioning Diagrams for the
minimum sizes of numbers and letters, and template details. They are different for each of the
Standard, Radial and 4.7 sails. The template is a rectangle for upright numbers, and a parallelogram
for angled numbers.
Base Lines and Limit Lines
Use a pencil to lightly draw Base Lines and Limit Lines on the sail. The bottom of each number
and letter must lie on a Base Line. The Limit Line is parallel to the leech of the sail, and 100mm
from it. The closest letter or number to the leech is positioned to just touch the Limit Line. This is
shown as the Start Point on the Positioning Diagrams. The number or letter should touch the Limit
Line at the Base Line or at any other height, depending on its shape.
Starboard Side Numbers and National Letters
1. Spread the sail out flat on the working surface so that the starboard side of the sail is facing up.
The leech (back edge of the sail) will be on the left hand side as shown in the positioning diagrams.
2. Make sure you are using the correct diagram for the design of sail you are applying the
numbers to. Draw the Base Line and Limit Line for the starboard numbers (and letters) as
shown on the positioning diagram.
3. Before peeling off the backing, place the bottom of the first number on the Base Line, with the
Start Point touching the Limit Line. Use the template with its bottom edge on the Base Line to
make sure the number is at the correct angle. Pencil around the outline of the number.
4. Peel and fold back about 10mm of the backing from the bottom of the number. Place the
number within the pencil outline and press down to stick the peeled back area. Lift the
remainder of the number and slowly peel off the backing as you smooth the number onto the
sail, taking care to remove air bubbles and creases as you go.
5. If the first number you applied was a 1 (one), measure from the bottom right corner of it
and mark a point the space width away along the Base Line. The space width is 60mm
for Standard and Radial rig sails, and 40mm for 4.7 sails - see the appropriate Positioning
Diagram. Place your template on the Base Line with its lower left corner on the new mark
and pencil round the outline of it. Before peeling off the backing of the second number, place it
within the pencil outline of the template. Pencil around the outline of the number, and apply it as
in point 4, above.
6. If the first number you applied was not a 1 (one), place your template over it and make a pencil
mark at the bottom right hand corner. Measure the space width from this mark along the Base
Line and make a second pencil mark. Place the template, with its lower left hand corner on the
second mark, pencil around the outline and then apply the next number as in point 4, above.
7. When a 1 (one) is to be applied after another number, make sure the appropriate space width
between numbers along the Base Line is maintained, as shown in the positioning diagram.
Use the bottom right hand corner of the template, placed over the preceding number to find the
start of the space width on the Base Line.
8. Continue marking number positions using the template, the appropriate space widths between
template corners, and applying numbers to complete the full sail number. Use the same
method to apply national letters if they are required.
Port Side Numbers and National Letters
1. Spread the sail out flat on the working surface so that the port side of the sail is facing up. The
leech (back edge of the sail) will be on the right hand side. Draw the Base Line for the port
numbers (and letters).
2. Start with the letter or number closest to the leech making sure that no part of the number or
letter crosses the 100mm Limit Line towards the leech. Follow the same method as for the
starboard side of the sail, working along the Base Line away from the leech towards the luff.
24
© ILCA 25
T
T
m
mm
100
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 300mm
400
mm
NU
M
Pen BER
on cil line LIMIT
bot
h sid , 100m LINE
Pan
es o m fr
el S
o
f th
eam
e sa m leec
h
il
SPACE = 60mm
Equal
Height
STA
BAS RBOA
R
Pen E LIN D NUM
E
BER
Spa
of s cil line
400
a
o
c
il
n
m
60m es be
star
m
boa
m o twe
rd s
e
nB
ide
POR
ase n tem
TN
Line plate
P
U
e
s
cor
ncil
MB
ner
E
li
R
ne o
s,
n po BASE
rt sid
L
e of INE
sail
STA
Top RBOA
400
of p RD L
mm
Spa
ane
l se ETTER
60m ces be
am
BAS
m o twe
EL
en
nB
P
INE
O
RT
ase tem
LET
Pen
Lin plate
LET
TER
cil li
es
cor
n
Pen TER L
BA
ner
e on
s,
port SE LI
on cil line IMIT L
bot
side NE
h sid , 100m INE
of s
m
ail
es
of t from
he
le
ech
sail
T
T
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 200mm
T
T
m
100m
Leech
START POINTS
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Middle Batten
SPACE = 60mm
T
T
T
Equal
Width
Equal
Height
mm
100
SPACE = 60mm
T
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 300mm
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 200mm
NU
M
Pen BER
on cil line LIMIT
bot
h sid , 100m LINE
Pan
es o m f r
el S
o
f th
eam
e sa m leec
h
il
STA
R
BAS BOA
400
R
mm
Pen E LIN D NU
E
MB
ER
of s cil line
ail
on s
tarb
Spa
400
oard
m
c
side
m
60m es be
POR
m o twe
Pen T NUM
e
nB
cil li
ase n tem
BER
n
p
e on
Line late
B
s
cor
port ASE L
ner
IN
side
s,
of s E
ail
STA
R
B
Top
O
of p ARD L
ane
400
l se ETTER
mm
am
BAS
Spa
EL
POR
INE
60m ces be
T LE
m o twe
P
enc
TTE
en
nB
il
RB
line
ase tem
on p ASE
Line plate
LET
ort s
L
s
cor
Pen TER L
ide INE
ner
of s
s,
on cil line IMIT L
ail
bot
,
I
N
1
h sid 00m E
es o m fr
o
f th
e sa m leec
h
il
Equal
Width
January 2009 Edition
1. MINIMUM SPACE BETWEEN NUMBERS AND LETTERS IN THE CLASS RULES IS 50mm, SO USE 60mm TO ENSURE THAT ANY SMALL ERRORS IN POSITION ARE STILL LEGAL.
2. LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SAIL NUMBER TO BE ONE DARK, DISTINCTIVE COLOUR OR BLACK. PRECEDING DIGITS TO BE A DIFFERENT, CONTRASTING, DISTINCTIVE, COLOUR,
PREFERABLY RED. ALL NATIONAL LETTERS TO BE ONE COLOUR. THEY MAY BE ONE OF THE COLOURS OF THE SAIL NUMBER DIGITS OR ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE COLOUR.
100m
Leech
START POINTS
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Middle Batten
SPACE = 60mm
T
T
Equal
Width
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 45mm
Equal
Width
ANGLED NUMBERS AND LETTERS
UPRIGHT NUMBERS AND LETTERS
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 45mm
STANDARD MKI RIG NUMBER & LETTER SIZES AND POSITIONING
© ILCA T
START POINTS
mm
T
T
100
SPACE = 60mm
Bottom of Panel Seam
NUMBER LIMIT LINE
Pencil line, 100mm from leech
on both sides of the sail
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 300mm
LETTER LIMIT LINE
Pencil line, 100mm from leech
on both sides of the sail
Spaces
be
60mm on tween template
corners,
Base Line
s
400 mm
400 mm
BOTT
OM ED
G
BOTT
OM BA E OF
TTEN
POCK
ET
STAR
BOAR
D
Pencil
line on LETTER B
AS
starbo
ard sid E LINE
e of sa
PORT
il
L
Pencil ETTER BAS
line on
E LINE
port sid
e of sa
il
400 mm
STARB
O
BASE ARD NUM
BER
L
Pencil INE
line on
side o
starbo
f sail
ard
400 mm PORT
N
Pencil UMBER B
Spaces
AS
line on
be
port sid E LINE
60mm on tween template
e of sa
corners,
Base Line
il
s
184714
4174
mm
SEY
YES
T
Equal
Height
mm
Leech
START POINTS
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Middle Batten
100
T
T
T
184714
417481
SPACE = 60mm
Equal
Height
400 mm
Bottom of Panel Seam
NUMBER LIMIT LINE
Pencil line, 100mm from leech
on both sides of the sail
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 300mm
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 200mm
LETTER LIMIT LINE
Pencil line, 100mm from leech
on both sides of the sail
Spaces
be
60mm on tween template
corners,
Base Line
s
400 mm
400 mm
BOTT
OM ED
G
BOTT
OM BA E OF
TTEN
POCK
ET
STAR
BOAR
D
Pencil
line on LETTER B
AS
starbo
ard sid E LINE
e of s a
PORT
il
L
Pencil ETTER BAS
line on
E LINE
port sid
e of sa
il
STARB
O
BASE ARD NUM
BER
L
Pencil INE
line on
side o
starbo
f sail
ard
400 mm PORT
N
Pencil UMBER B
Spaces
AS
line on
be
port sid E LINE
60mm on tween template
e of sa
corners,
Base Line
il
s
mm
SEY
YES
100
T
Equal
Width
471
T
SPACE = 60mm
T
Equal
Width
September 2015 Edition
1. MINIMUM SPACE BETWEEN NUMBERS AND LETTERS IN THE CLASS RULES IS 50mm, SO USE 60mm TO ENSURE THAT ANY SMALL ERRORS IN POSITION ARE STILL LEGAL.
2. LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SAIL NUMBER TO BE ONE DARK, DISTINCTIVE COLOUR OR BLACK. PRECEDING DIGITS TO BE A DIFFERENT, CONTRASTING, DISTINCTIVE, COLOUR,
PREFERABLY RED. ALL NATIONAL LETTERS TO BE ONE COLOUR. THEY MAY BE ONE OF THE COLOURS OF THE SAIL NUMBER DIGITS OR ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE COLOUR.
Leech
START POINTS
Bottom Batten
T
Equal
Width
471
SPACE = 60mm
T
Equal
Width
ANGLED NUMBERS AND LETTERS
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 45mm
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 200mm
UPRIGHT NUMBERS AND LETTERS
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 45mm
STANDARD MKII RIG NUMBER & LETTER SIZES AND POSITIONING
Middle Batten
100
26
© ILCA 27
T
T
m
SPACE = 60mm
Equal
Height
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 300mm
NU
M
Pen BER
on cil line LIMIT
bot
h sid , 100m LINE
es o m fr
o
Bot
f th
e sa m leec
tom
h
il
edg
eo
fm
iddle
bat
ten
poc
400
ket
mm
STA
BA RBOA
SE
R
Pen
LIN D NU
400
Spa
MB
of s cil line E
mm
ER
ces
ail
on
bet
star
wee
boa
PO
n te
rd s
RT
mp
ide
Pen
N
late
cil li UMBE
cor
ne
ner
Let
on R BAS
s, 6
t
e
p
r
o
E
0
Heig
rt s
mm
Bot
ide LINE
ht
tom
on
of s
Bas
edg
ail
eL
eo
ines
400
f bo
mm
ttom
b
STA
atte
np
Pen RBOA
ock
R
cil li
et
Spa
ne D LET
ces
on
TER
bet
p
ort
w
P
B
e
O
side
LET
A
en
R
tem
Pen T LET
of s SE LIN
Pen TER L
pla
ail
cil li
T
E
te c
ne ER B
on cil line IMIT L
o
r
o
A
n
bot
n
ers
por SE L
h sid , 100m INE
, 60
t sid
INE
mf
m
es
eo
mo
r
of t
f sa
nB
he om lee
il
ase
sail
ch
Line
s
mm
100
T
T
T
T
100m
m
Leech
START POINTS
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Middle Batten
SPACE = 60mm
T
Equal
Width
mm
100
T
Equal
Height
SPACE = 60mm
T
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 300mm
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 200mm
NU
M
Pen BER
on cil line LIMIT
bot
h sid , 100m LINE
es o m f r
o
f th
Bot
e sa m leec
tom
h
il
edg
eo
fm
iddle
bat
ten
poc
400
ke t
STA
mm
R
BA BOA
S
Pen E LIN RD NU
MB
400
Spa
of s cil line E
ER
mm
ail
ces
on
star
bet
w ee
boa
PO
r
n te
d sid
R
mp
Pen T NU
e
late
cil li MBE
cor
ne
RB
ner
o
Let
n
A
s, 6
SE
por
t
e
r
0
t
Heig
mm
side LINE
Bot
ht
tom
on
of s
Bas
ail
edg
eL
eo
ines
400
f bo
mm
ttom
b
STA
atte
np
Pen RBOA
ock
R
cil li
et
Spa
n e D LE T
ces
on
T
bet
E
por
RB
wee
PO
LET
t
side
A
R
n te
Pen T LET
of s SE LIN
Pen TER L
mp
ail
late
cil li
T
E
on cil line IMIT L
ne E R B
cor
bot
,
o
A
I
n
N
1
np
ers
h sid 00m E
ort SE LIN
, 60
es o m fr
side
m
E
mo
o
f th
of s
nB
e sa m leec
ail
ase
h
il
Line
s
T
Equal
Width
January 2009 Edition
1. MINIMUM SPACE BETWEEN NUMBERS AND LETTERS IN THE CLASS RULES IS 50mm, SO USE 60mm TO ENSURE THAT ANY SMALL ERRORS IN POSITION ARE STILL LEGAL.
2. LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SAIL NUMBER TO BE ONE DARK, DISTINCTIVE COLOUR OR BLACK. PRECEDING DIGITS TO BE A DIFFERENT, CONTRASTING, DISTINCTIVE, COLOUR,
PREFERABLY RED. ALL NATIONAL LETTERS TO BE ONE COLOUR. THEY MAY BE ONE OF THE COLOURS OF THE SAIL NUMBER DIGITS OR ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE COLOUR.
100m
Leech
START POINTS
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Middle Batten
SPACE = 60mm
T
T
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 200mm
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 45mm
Equal
Width
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 45mm
Equal
Width
ANGLED NUMBERS AND LETTERS
UPRIGHT NUMBERS AND LETTERS
RADIAL RIG NUMBER & LETTER SIZES AND POSITIONING
© ILCA 28
T
T
SPACE = 40mm
Equal
Height
NU
M
Pen BER
on cil line AND L
bo t
h sid , 100m ETTE
es o m fr R LIM
o
Bot
f th
e sa m leec IT LIN
tom
E
h
il
edg
eo
fm
iddle
bat
ten
poc
270
ket
mm
STA
R
B
BA
SE OARD
Pan
L
270
el s INE NUMB
eam
mm
ER
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 220mm
MAXIMUM = 240mm
270
mm
PO
R
Pen T NU
cil li MBE
ne
on R BAS
por
t sid E LIN
E
eo
270
STA
f sa
mm
il
Pen RBOA
RD
cil li
Spa
ne
ces
on LETTE
bet
por
wee
PO
t sid R BA
n te
RT
e o SE L
Pen
L
mp
f sa
INE
late
cil li ETTE
il
RB
ne
cor
on
ner
A
S
por
EL
s, 4
t sid
IN
0m
mo
eo E
f sa
nB
il
ase
Line
s
mm
100
T
T
T
T
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Leech
Middle Batten
SPACE = 40mm
T
Equal
Width
100
T
Equal
Height
TEMPLATE
Equal Height
MINIMUM = 220mm
MAXIMUM = 240mm
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 150mm
mm
NU
M
Pen BER
on cil line AND L
bot
h sid , 100m ETTE
es o m fr R LIM
o
f th
Bot
e sa m leec IT LIN
tom
E
h
il
edg
eo
fm
iddle
bat
te n
poc
270
ket
mm
STA
BA RBOA
SE
R
D
Pan
L
el s INE NUMB
270
eam
ER
mm
270
SPACE = 40mm
T
PO
R
Pen T NU
cil li MBE
ne
on R BAS
por
t sid E LIN
E
eo
270
STA
f sa
mm
R
il
Pen BOA
RD
cil li
Spa
ne
ces
on LETTE
bet
star
wee
PO
b o a R BAS
RT
n te
rd s
E
Pen
L
mp
ide LINE
cil li ETTE
late
of s
RB
ne
ail
cor
on
A
ner
S
por
E
s,40
t sid LINE
mm
eo
on
f sa
Bas
il
eL
ines
mm
T
Equal
Width
November 2013 Edition
1. MINIMUM SPACE BETWEEN NUMBERS AND LETTERS IN THE CLASS RULES IS 30mm, SO USE 40mm TO ENSURE THAT ANY SMALL ERRORS IN POSITION ARE STILL LEGAL.
2. LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SAIL NUMBER TO BE ONE DARK, DISTINCTIVE COLOUR OR BLACK. PRECEDING DIGITS TO BE A DIFFERENT, CONTRASTING, DISTINCTIVE, COLOUR,
PREFERABLY RED. ALL NATIONAL LETTERS TO BE ONE COLOUR. THEY MAY BE ONE OF THE COLOURS OF THE SAIL NUMBER DIGITS OR ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE COLOUR.
Bottom Batten
START POINTS
Leech
Middle Batten
SPACE = 40mm
T
T
Equal Width
(Except 1, I, M & W)
MINIMUM = 150mm
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 30mm
Equal
Width
T = Thickness = MINIMUM 30mm
Equal
Width
ANGLED NUMBERS AND LETTERS
UPRIGHT NUMBERS AND LETTERS
LASER 4.7 RIG NUMBER & LETTER SIZES AND POSITIONING
Instructions for Applying Red
Rhombus For Women's Events
Sails used in the following women’s events shall carry a red rhombus above the top batten
pocket on both sides;
a. World or regional (continental) championships.
b. Events described as “international events” by the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions.
c. Other events that prescribe in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions that women
competitors should be identified.
La
se
Las
e
rR
r4
.7
ad
ial
The minimum size and approximate position shall comply with diagrams below.
The rhombus may be retained for racing in other events.
29