TIME HONOURED: Ratsey & Lapthorn launches bags that reflect the company's unique sailmaking heritage.

The Ratpack Natural

On a recent visit to the Isle of White, England, home of the competition that has enthralled sailors across centuries, the America’s Cup, 5'ELEVEN" stepped off of our boat and onto the shores at Cowes, home of the world’s oldest sail and bagmakers, Ratsey & Lapthorn.

Founded in 1790, Ratsey & Lapthorn is a company steeped in history, crafting sails for some of the world’s most iconic vessels, from Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory to King George’s racing cutter, HMY Britannia, John F Kennedy’s Manitou and the many who have competed for the America’s Cup. This is a company whose story has spanned and inspired generations, now unfolding its fabrics in a different way to begin a new chapter.

Along with its continued production of championship sails, Ratsey & Lapthorn has launched a bag collection that reflects its commitment to quality and heritage, comprising eight styles created in small, numbered editions and handcrafted in England and Italy. Taking inspiration from functional archival pieces, selected styles are customisable with charms in the form of bespoke sailor’s knots, personalised to echo the style of their owner.

From the ships they have serviced to the new line of bags, there is an ever-present reminder of the importance of time in the Ratsey & Lapthorn story.

From the moment we set foot on land, Ratsey’s CEO Jim Hartley and Chairman Simon Brazier invited us to step into the Royal Yacht Squadron, a place only a privileged few may visit. Queen Victoria herself was once at the mercy of the men-only rule having access only via a special plaform. Thankfully, today, modernity has opened the doors to inclusivity, allowing this writer' to set her inquisitive foot inside.

This, the place where the America’s Cup is launched each year, where historic cannons line the sea wall, is also home to treasures past and present that celebrate yachting heritage. From Britannia’s flag to the words of Nelson himself on a wall-mounted letter, the Yacht Squadron holds so many stories of boats that braved stormy seas and won with Ratsey & Lapthorn’s unique and expertly crafted sails. It was such a joy to listen to Simon and Jim eagerly recount tales of the company’s epic past.

The Ditty

At Ratsey & Lapthorn, time is honoured through heritage; all that has gone before is celebrated, guarded and drawn from, with one eye on innovation and one rooted in the work of past masters. The walls of its former loft, once the workspace to countless Ratsey sailmakers, are now filled with artefacts, each with its unique story and place in history. Oil paintings depicting sea tales, equipment once essential but now decommissioned, even Napoleon’s son’s cot is kept here, while old pins used to create past sails still nestle beneath the floorboards. In the new loft, well-documented records of ships’ sails created over time are perfectly preserved. The work of past draftsmen, collated, folded, trusted and treasured.

Ratsey & Lapthorn’s dedicated team, quietly attending to their work, demonstrate the notion that time is a teacher. Prized old sails, safeguarded, the work of those who have laid their hands on cloths and threads over the years, now become a part of the fabric of the future; their work used as examples of craftsmanship to be preserved and passed on. Through hours of patience, meticulous knowledge sharing, and attention to detail, seasoned artisans evince their skills and offer the hand of stewardship to each new apprentice, ensuring that future generations of craftsmen and customers benefit from time-honoured techniques. In this loft, Ratsey & Lapthorn’s history is sealed in every thread sewn, every knot tied, every sail and bag lovingly completed and packed.

A Ratsey benchman from the archives

As we witnessed the artisans quietly measure, thread, and twist cord, above their heads read a sign: ‘There is only one standard of work in this loft and that is the very best.’ The words of Tom Ratsey in 1833. Time’s ever-present mark threads through Ratsey’s fabric, with durability and a commitment to quality underpinning everything. Whether making sails that must endure hours at sea for past kings, commanders or current sailing champions, or a line of bags to accompany travellers on a weekend or a year away, each piece is created to last. Each, through time, will bear the marks of its owner’s journey.

There can be no bigger indicator of time than design. While trends compel us to move forward with new concepts and styles, we can attest to the draw of the classic, well-crafted pieces to which we repeatedly return - those that endure time’s whims and fluctuations. Ratsey & Lapthorn’s timeless design is evident in every considered feature, from the small but perfectly formed Ditty that showcases the skills of apprentices past and present, the playful Rat, keeper of the precious little things, the Ratsey Mini, to the smart Lapthorne, a larger companion for adventures at sea or on land, inspired by a sailing bag from the archives. It was an honour to take a sneak peek before the launch, and with so many carefully crafted designs, deciding on a favourite was a challenge.

The Lapthorn Natural

The logo, securely sewn and steadfastly worn on sails across generations, is the leitmotif of countless journeys, wins and sea stories, and will be the insignia of numerous to come. From the eyelets that adorn every sail to the green and red ‘port and starboard’ stitching and the skillfully tied knots, the latest collection of bags draws on the company’s heritage, infused with details that will last for seasons, for a new, contemporary customer. Their fingers may run across its fabric differently, but their journey will be no less dynamic.

The Rat in Black

Jim Hartley, CEO, commented: "For over 200 years, Ratsey & Lapthorn have been custodians of a living craft, passed down meticulously from master to apprentice. We believe in a quality and soul that comes only from the human hand, and we are resolute in our commitment to keeping these skills alive for the future. Breathing new life into our long heritage in bags is a critical part of this effort.”

And finally, as we examined these beautifully constructed bags, we contemplated time as a prize. The time taken to pause and spend with those most precious to us is invaluable in a world that constantly requires us to rush. Sails strong enough to cut times on championships, now become the fabric of bags that will invite us to take it slow, to accompany us across continents, through time zones and on treasured holidays that will remain etched in our memories.

A sailmaker at Ratsey's loft in Cowes

In a world filled with impermanence, drawing on the fabrics of the sea and continuing to honour the company’s legacy, Ratsey & Lapthorn made a lasting impression. As we stepped onto our boat and rode the waves back to the mainland, there was a moment for quiet contemplation, taking in the incredible history and craftsmanship that we had witnessed. These custodians of the past must be admired for their dedication to the preservation of heritage craftsmanship. Built with the same impeccable stitching, skill and durability that carried HMY Britannia and countless winning ships across the waves, these hero bags signify a new era - demonstrating the company’s ability to bridge past and present expertly.

The Ratsey Mini in Black

As we stepped back on to the mainland and into life’s frenetic way, we couldn’t help but contemplate which Ratsey bag we would take on our next adventure. Our choice, the Lapthorn, in the classic palette, is the perfect-sized companion, making the journey that bit more special, knowing that we are bringing a little of that incredible history with us wherever we go.

The whole collection is available for purchase now exclusively at www.ratseyandlapthorn.com.