Ruling the waves: Ratsey & Lapthorn is a great British brand for the YouTube generation Ratsey & Lapthorn has made sails for kings and queens By Hugo Duncan Updated: 22:01, 22 June 2024 e-mail View comments Riding high on the ocean under a magnificent billowing cloud of canvas, the Gucci family’s classic yacht Creole cuts a dash. The display is the work of the world’s oldest sailmaker, Ratsey & Lapthorn, which dates back to 1790. The company, based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has made sails for kings and queens and even Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The topsail from the flagship HMS Victory remains at the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth complete with cannon ball holes. Heritage: Ratsey & Lapthorn is now owned by Jim Hartley, left, and Simon Brazier, right The firm later became synonymous with the America’s Cup, the world’s oldest international sporting trophy, making sails for yachts from both sides of the Atlantic for more than a century. Heritage is a big deal for Ratsey & Lapthorn.
Hanging in its sail loft in Cowes are the words of Tom W Ratsey dating back to 1833: ‘There is only one standard of work in this loft, that is the very best.’ RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next MARKET REPORT: Sun shines on Footsie as losing streak ends China warns Europe of trade war over EV tariffs Hargreaves Lansdown's prospective new owners should ban..
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