sailboat black sails

Why Do Yachts Have Black Sails? [The Reason Explained]

One of the joys of owning a yacht is that you get to customize that baby like nobody’s business. That’s why no two yachts ever look the same, even if they’re exactly the same make and model. From the upholstery, to the console, the decking, and of course the body paint, you can do pretty much anything you want with a yacht. Oh, except for the sails.

If you’ve been hanging around yachts enough, you might have noticed that all of them have black sails. What gives? Is this some unspoken yacht owner pact? Or is it all just a grand coincidence? Why do yachts have black sails? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Do Yachts Have Black Sails?

Unbeknownst to most people, yacht sails actually have a long history of design changes and modifications. Way back when, sails were made from cotton and came in a variety of colors, but often just a basic beige.

As time went on and manufacturers discovered better ways to make sails more efficient, they tossed out the cotton in favor of Kevlar. This material had Kevlar lines woven right into them which gave the sails better strength against strong winds. This also gave the sails a yellow tinge.

Fast forward a few years, and carbon fiber became the standard for yacht sails. They provided excellent resilience, UV resistance, and just the right flexibility to accommodate changes in wind strength and speed. And while they can come in different colors, most manufacturers offer them in plain black since they’re easier to manufacture that way.

Well, that covers pretty much the basics. But if you really want to get into it, then here are some of the most common reasons why yachts have black sails:

It’s What’s Available

Manufacturers for yacht sails compete closely with one another. So whatever sails one of them offers will be the same sails that others do. And since carbon fiber sails are pretty much the standard these days, that’s what all of them have in stock.

Keep in mind that they don’t really choose to make them black. It’s just that the material is naturally black because of the carbon. These fibers are weaved into the material which is basically layers of polyester that are naturally transparent.

Can they make them in other colors? Probably. But since black has become the standard, it seems they’re not really keen on mixing up the look. What’s more, making an effort to change the colors might mean having to add other materials into the mix, changing the way the sail performs all together.

It’s the Standard

The black color has become strongly associated with performance sails. It’s kind of like the marker of a quality sail. Yacht owners and even regular boat enthusiasts know that a black sail is the standard of top performance because it’s made from premium materials.

That said, changing the color might distance the product from that image. And since manufacturers don’t want to dissociate from being ‘top quality’ brands, there’s really no reason to try to change things up by offering other sail colors that might not be recognized as top tier.

It’s Sleek and Aesthetically Pleasing

Let’s be honest -- a black sail definitely adds a sporty look to a yacht. These high performance sails are intended to make your yacht operate optimally even in the face of strong winds and waves. And to match this competitive performance, they offer a distinct, athletic look.

No doubt, going for a spin in a yacht with black sails can make your vessel look like a true-blue, competition worthy boat. In fact, most boats that use these black carbon fiber sails actually compete in various water sports and racing events, which has associated the black color with supreme performance.

It’s a Mark of Quality

If you’re familiar with black sails for yachts, then you know from just a glance that these dark sails are the mark of quality. Actually anyone who wants to get a quality sail for their yacht will likely go for the black ones first since they’re developed for optimal performance in various wind conditions.

In essence, a black sail is like a seal of quality and durability. So if you want to showcase your yacht and demonstrate your superiority without having to say a word, all you really need is a black sail.

Are There Other Colors for Yacht Sails?

Absolutely -- sails still come in a variety of colors. In fact, you can get them in virtually any color you want. The trade-off though is that you probably won’t find carbon fiber sails in any other color but a dark gray or black. But that’s okay especially if you’re not really interested in using your boat competitively.

Unless you’re into competitive sailing or racing, you probably won’t need a carbon fiber sail. There are lots of other sails on the market that use various other materials, like Dacron sails which are still in use today. These were popular before Kevlar, but still find their place on the market because of their so-so performance and affordable prices.

Keep in mind though that when you buy a sail just to change up the color, you also sacrifice the durability and performance of the sail. As of writing, there is no other type of material that matches the level of performance, resilience, and quality of carbon fiber sails . So naturally, sails that come in other colors (and thus use different materials) will likely produce substandard performance.

Once You Go Black

So, why do yachts have black sails? It’s really a matter of material. Carbon fiber sails are all the rage these days for boat owners who want to get the best performance out of their yacht. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a sail in a different color. There are lots of sails available on the market -- many of them offered in a variety of hues. Just remember that if they’re not carbon-fiber, they may not be as reliable as performance grade sails.

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WHY ARE RACING SAILS BLACK?

North sails expert per andersson explores fashion and function in the striking look of black sails on the water, and explains why sails may come in different shades of black..

Fashion, Function, and Material Composition

Black has not always been the fast look for sails, but lately more and more black sails are showing up on the water. Why? The simple answer is that many sails are now made with carbon fibers—the strongest load-carrying material in sails—and carbon is black. If some sails seem even blacker to you than they did a few years ago, you may be noticing North’s 3Di sails, a product that has gained significant market share since it first was introduced. Many sailmakers use carbon in their sails, but typically the carbon is laminated between layers of polyester or Mylar film, so it does not look completely black.

North’s 3DL sails fell into this category for many years, with variable densities of the carbon, depending on where it was needed to resist the heaviest loads. 3Di sails are darker because starting in 2013 with the introduction of 3Di RAW , we’ve rid our highest-performing sails of the cover layer and its associated parasitic weight.

We should point out that not all 3Di sails are black, because North has 3Di products that include aramid fibers, which are yellow, and Dyneema fibers, which are white. We also use black, white or gray taffeta or non-woven surface materials for durability on our 3Di ENDURANCE and 3Di OCEAN performance cruising products, for which the owner can choose the color of preference.

Early on, to make a more consistent and solid look on our RAW product, we began to pigment the aramid fibers because they simply looked better black, mixed with carbon and Dyneema fibers. “Dyneema fibers are not available with black pigment but with only a small amount of Dyneema in our 3Di sail structure, a small amount of pigment in the adhesive produces a solid black surface.”

Many sailmakers have followed the trend toward black sails. Most add a “light skin” or taffeta on top of the film to achieve the black look! Others simply add a non-woven layer of colored polyester material to make the sails black.

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Why Racing Sailing Yachts Opt for Black Sails: An Insider’s Guide

Racing sailing yachts are often seen with black sails, which can be a striking and intimidating sight for onlookers. But why do these boats use black sails, and what advantages do they offer?

One reason for the use of black sails is to reduce glare and improve visibility for the crew. White sails can reflect sunlight and create a glare that makes it difficult to see the course ahead, especially in bright conditions. Black sails absorb light and reduce glare, making it easier for sailors to spot obstacles and make quick decisions.

Another advantage of black sails is their ability to absorb heat and transfer it to the sailcloth, which can help to create more lift and speed. This is particularly useful in light wind conditions, where the extra boost can make a significant difference. Additionally, black sails can be made from materials that are more durable and resistant to UV damage, which can extend their lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.

Advantages of Black Sails

Black sails have become a popular choice for racing sailing yachts due to the following advantages:

Black sails give a sleek and modern look to the yacht, which is visually appealing and can attract sponsors and fans. The sails also look good in photographs and videos, which is important for marketing purposes.

Higher Speeds

Black sails absorb more sunlight than white sails, which makes them warmer and increases their efficiency. This can result in higher speeds, especially in light winds. The difference in speed may not be significant, but it can make a difference in a race where every second counts.

UV Protection

Black sails are less likely to fade or get damaged by UV rays than white sails. This is because black sails absorb more light and heat than white sails, which can cause them to break down faster. Black sails made of carbon fibers are especially resistant to UV damage and can last longer than other materials.

Durability and Strength

Black sails are made of strong and durable materials, such as carbon fibers, which can withstand high winds and rough seas. They are also less likely to get dirty or stained than white sails, which can be a problem in long races.

Black sails are usually lighter than white sails, which can make a difference in racing. The weight savings can be used to add other equipment or to improve the yacht’s performance.

Black sails absorb more heat than white sails, which can be a disadvantage in hot weather. The heat can make the yacht’s cabin uncomfortable and can affect the crew’s performance. However, this can be mitigated by using lighter materials or by adding ventilation.

In conclusion, black sails have several advantages over white sails, including a sleek look, higher speeds, UV protection, durability and strength, and weight savings. However, they may not be suitable for all conditions, especially in hot weather.

Disadvantages of Black Sails

Black sails may look sleek and stylish, but they do come with some disadvantages that sailors should consider before choosing them for their racing yachts.

One of the main disadvantages of black sails is their cost. They are often more expensive than traditional white sails, as they require special materials and manufacturing processes. This can be a significant investment for sailors, and may not be worth it for those on a tight budget.

Maintenance

Black sails also require more maintenance than white sails. They tend to show dirt and stains more easily, which means they need to be cleaned more frequently. Additionally, black sails can be prone to fading over time, which means they may need to be replaced more frequently than white sails.

Delamination

Another potential issue with black sails is delamination. This occurs when the layers of the sail start to separate, which can weaken the sail and make it less effective. Black sails are more prone to delamination than white sails, which means sailors need to be vigilant about checking for signs of damage.

Black sails are also more susceptible to damage from UV rays. The dark color absorbs more sunlight, which can cause the material to break down more quickly. Sailors need to be careful to store their black sails properly and to protect them from the sun when not in use.

Finally, black sails can be less visible than white sails, especially in low light conditions. This can make it more difficult for other boats and ships to see the racing yacht, which could be dangerous. Sailors need to take extra precautions to ensure their boat is visible to other vessels on the water.

Overall, while black sails may look impressive, they do come with some drawbacks that sailors need to consider before choosing them for their racing yachts.

Material Composition of Black Sails

Black sails are a common sight in racing sailing yachts. They are often made of a combination of materials that provide the necessary strength and durability for the high-performance demands of racing. Here are some of the materials that are commonly used in the composition of black sails:

• Carbon fibers : Carbon fibers are known for their strength and lightness. They are often used in the construction of high-performance sails, including black sails.
• Polyester : Polyester is a common material used in sail construction. It is known for its durability and resistance to UV rays.
• Kevlar : Kevlar is a type of aramid fiber that is known for its strength and resistance to abrasion. It is often used in the construction of racing sails, including black sails.
• Dyneema fibers : Dyneema fibers are also known for their strength and lightness. They are often used in the construction of high-performance sails.
• Taffeta : Taffeta is a type of non-woven surface material that is often used in sail construction. It provides a smooth surface that reduces drag and improves performance.

In addition to these materials, black sails often have an adhesive layer that helps to bond the various layers of material together. This adhesive layer is essential for providing the necessary strength and durability for racing sails.

Overall, the material composition of black sails is carefully chosen to provide the necessary strength, durability, and performance for racing sailing yachts.

Types of Black Sails

There are several types of black sails used in racing sailing yachts. Each type is designed to provide specific benefits to the yacht and its crew. In this section, we will discuss some of the most popular types of black sails.

3Di sails are a type of black sail that is known for its durability, lightweight, and high-performance racing capabilities. These sails are made using helix load shearing technology, which allows them to withstand heavy loads and maintain their shape even in strong winds.

There are two main types of 3Di sails: 3Di Ocean and 3Di Endurance. 3Di Ocean sails are designed for offshore racing and cruising, while 3Di Endurance sails are designed for long-distance racing. Both types of sails are made using the same technology and materials, but they are optimized for different sailing conditions.

One of the key benefits of 3Di sails is their ability to maintain their shape over time. Unlike traditional sails, which can stretch and deform over time, 3Di sails are designed to maintain their shape even after extended use. This means that they provide consistent performance throughout their lifespan.

In addition to their performance benefits, 3Di sails are also environmentally friendly. They are made using recyclable materials and are designed to last longer than traditional sails, which reduces the environmental impact of sail production.

Overall, 3Di sails are a popular choice for racing sailing yachts due to their durability, lightweight, and high-performance capabilities. Whether racing offshore or long-distance, these sails are designed to provide consistent performance and withstand the rigors of racing.

Other Sail Colors

While black sails are commonly used in racing sailing yachts, other sail colors can also be used depending on the purpose and preference of the sailor. Here are some of the other sail colors that are used in sailing:

White Sails

White sails are the most common type of sails used in sailing. They are versatile and can be used in different weather conditions. They are also easy to maintain and repair. White sails are often used in cruising and recreational sailing.

Red sails are not commonly used in sailing, but they can be used for racing or for aesthetic purposes. They are not as versatile as white sails and are best used in specific weather conditions.

Tanbark Sails

Tanbark sails are made from a type of dyed canvas that gives them a reddish-brown color. They are often used in traditional and classic sailing yachts for aesthetic purposes. Tanbark sails are not as durable as modern sails and require more maintenance.

Grey sails are not commonly used in sailing, but they can be used for racing or for aesthetic purposes. They are not as versatile as white sails and are best used in specific weather conditions.

Sail colors can also be influenced by fashion and image. Pirate ships, for example, are often depicted with black sails to create a menacing image. In modern sailing, the choice of sail color can also be influenced by fashion and personal preference.

In conclusion, while black sails are commonly used in racing sailing yachts, there are other sail colors that can be used depending on the purpose and preference of the sailor. White sails are the most common type of sails used in sailing, while red sails, tanbark sails, and grey sails are used for specific purposes. The choice of sail color can also be influenced by fashion and image.

Yacht Racing and Black Sails

Yacht racing is a highly competitive sport that requires the best performance from the boats and the sailors. Many factors can affect the performance of a yacht, including the design, materials , and modifications. One of the most visible modifications that yacht racers use is black sails.

Black sails are not a new concept in yacht racing. They have been used for many years by some of the most successful yacht racers in the world. The reason for this is simple: black sails offer better performance than traditional white sails.

Black sails are made from a different material than white sails. They are made from a high-tech material that is lighter, stronger, and more durable than traditional sailcloth. This material is also more resistant to UV rays, which can cause white sails to degrade over time.

In addition to the material, black sails are also designed differently than white sails. They are cut differently, with a flatter shape that allows them to generate more lift. This increased lift translates into better performance, especially in light wind conditions.

Yacht racers also use black sails because they are more visible on the water. This is especially important in crowded racing conditions, where it can be difficult to see other boats. Black sails stand out against the water and make it easier for sailors to avoid collisions.

Finally, black sails are also easier to maintain than white sails. They do not show dirt or stains as easily, and they do not need to be washed as often. This makes them a popular choice for yacht racers who want to spend more time on the water and less time maintaining their sails.

In conclusion, black sails are a popular choice for yacht racers who want to improve their performance on the water. They offer better lift, increased visibility, and easier maintenance than traditional white sails. While they may not be the right choice for every sailor, they are certainly worth considering for those who want to compete at the highest level of yacht racing.

In conclusion, the use of black sails in racing sailing yachts is not just a fashion statement but has a practical purpose. The black color absorbs more heat than any other color, which helps to warm up the air inside the sail, making it more efficient. The use of black sails is most effective in colder climates where the air is denser and less efficient at powering the sail.

Additionally, black sails are more durable and resistant to UV rays, which can cause damage to the sail over time. This makes black sails a practical choice for racing yachts that are exposed to the sun and wind for extended periods.

However, it is important to note that the use of black sails is not always the best choice. In warmer climates, the heat absorbed by the black sail can cause the air inside to expand, reducing the sail’s efficiency. In these conditions, lighter-colored sails may be more effective.

Overall, the use of black sails in racing sailing yachts is a strategic decision based on the specific conditions of the race and the preferences of the sailors. It is just one of many factors that contribute to the overall performance of the boat and should be carefully considered before making a decision.

About the author

I worked as an officer in the deck department on various types of vessels, including oil and chemical tankers, LPG carriers, and even reefer and TSHD in the early years. Currently employed as Marine Surveyor carrying cargo, draft, bunker, and warranty survey.

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Why Do Yachts Have Black Sails? (Revealing the Reasons)

Yachts are known for their sleek designs and luxurious amenities, so it’s no surprise that they often have black sails.

But why is this? What are the advantages of having black sails on a yacht? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why yachts have black sails, revealing the style factor, sun absorption benefits, cooling effects, glare reduction, low profile advantages, and performance impacts.

We’ll also discuss the different types of black sails available.

Get ready to discover the secrets behind the black sails of yachts!.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Black sails are popular on yachts for a few reasons.

They help reduce glare from the sun, which can be a hazard when sailing.

Black sails also have a sleek and stylish look, which many yacht owners desire.

Finally, they provide a uniform look when a fleet of yachts is sailing together.

The Style Factor of Black Sails

When it comes to style, black sails are an extremely popular choice for yachts.

Not only do they create a sleek and sophisticated look, but they can also make a yacht stand out from the crowd.

The color black is also associated with luxury, power, and strength, three qualities that are often sought after in a yacht.

Black sails can also help a boat stand out against the horizon, making it easier to spot in crowded waters.

In addition, the dark color of the sails helps to create a strong contrast against the bright blue sea, further highlighting the yachts unique style and grace.

The Sun Absorption Benefits of Black Sails

When it comes to sailing, having the right equipment is essential.

Yachts often feature black sails as a stylish addition that adds a sleek and sophisticated look as well as some practical benefits.

Black sails are popular because they absorb heat from the sun, making it easier to move the boat through the water.

Additionally, the dark color helps to reduce the amount of sun that reaches the deck, keeping the boat and its occupants cool.

The black color also helps to reduce the amount of glare coming off of the sails, making it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht.

The heat absorption benefits of black sails are especially valuable in warmer climates.

The sails act as a kind of sunshade, helping to reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the deck and the passengers.

This helps to keep the boat and its occupants cool, allowing them to enjoy a comfortable sailing experience.

The dark color also helps to reduce the amount of glare coming off the sails, making it easier for the crew to keep track of their direction and speed.

The combination of these benefits makes black sails an ideal option for sailing yachts .

Not only do they provide a stylish and sophisticated look, but they also help to reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the deck and the passengers, making for a more comfortable sailing experience.

They also help to reduce the amount of glare coming off the sails, making navigation easier for the crew.

All in all, black sails are a great choice for any yacht, offering style and practicality.

The Cooling of the Boat and Crew

The heat of the sun can make sailing a yacht quite uncomfortable and even dangerous in some cases.

This is why many yacht owners and sailors opt for black sails.

Of all the colors, black absorbs the most heat from the sun and helps keep the boat and its occupants cool.

Additionally, the black color helps to reduce the amount of sun that reaches the deck, further helping to keep the boat and its occupants cool.

Black sails are designed with a special material that is lightweight and breathable, allowing air to pass through while also absorbing the heat from the sun.

This breathability helps to keep the sails from becoming too hot and makes them comfortable to touch.

Additionally, the black color helps to reduce glare that can make it difficult to see and navigate the yacht.

This makes it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht without any distractions or discomfort.

Overall, black sails are an ideal choice for yacht owners looking for a stylish and practical addition to their vessel.

The black color helps to absorb heat from the sun, keeping the boat and its occupants cool and comfortable.

Additionally, the black color helps to reduce the amount of sun that reaches the deck, and the special material used in the sails helps to reduce glare, making it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht.

Reducing Glare from the Sails

Yachts are often equipped with black sails to reduce the amount of glare coming off of them.

The color black absorbs more light than other colors, making it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht without being dazzled by the sun reflecting off of the sails.

The reduced glare also helps to keep the yacht and its occupants cooler, as less of the suns rays will reach the deck.

Additionally, the black color helps to make the yacht look more sophisticated and stylish, giving it a sleek and modern feel.

The black sails on a yacht also offer a few other advantages.

For one, the black sails absorb more heat from the sun, which can help to make the yacht easier to sail.

This is especially helpful in areas with high winds, as the heat from the sails can help to propel the yacht forward.

Additionally, the black sails are less likely to fade over time, meaning that they will keep their color and appearance for longer than sails in other colors.

Finally, black sails are also less likely to attract birds and other wildlife, which can be a nuisance if they land on the sails.

The Advantages of a Low Profile

Yachts featuring black sails can provide a distinct, sophisticated look that can make any vessel stand out from the crowd.

But black sails can also be advantageous for a number of reasons.

One of the most important advantages of having black sails is the reduced profile they provide.

Black sails absorb heat from the sun, which makes the boat easier to move through the water.

Additionally, the black color helps to reduce the amount of sun that reaches the deck, which can help keep the boat and its occupants cool.

Finally, the black sails are designed to reduce the amount of glare that comes off of the sails, making it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht.

The low profile offered by black sails also makes them ideal for sailing in areas with a lot of wind and other weather-related challenges.

This is because the black sails are less likely to catch the wind and create unwanted resistance, allowing the yacht to move more smoothly and efficiently.

Additionally, the low profile of the sails can help to reduce the amount of drag the yacht experiences in the water, further improving the yachts speed and efficiency.

Finally, the low profile offered by black sails also makes them ideal for sailing in areas with a lot of people.

This is because the black sails can help to blend in with the environment, making the yacht less visible to other boats and people on the water.

The lower profile also helps to reduce the amount of glare coming off of the sails, making it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht.

The Impact of Black Sails on Performance

When it comes to sailing, performance is key.

Yachts are built for speed and agility, and the choice of sail color can have a huge impact on their performance.

Black sails absorb more heat from the sun, helping to move the boat through the water faster.

They also reduce the amount of sun that reaches the deck, keeping the boat and its occupants cooler.

Additionally, black sails reduce the amount of glare coming off of the sails, making it easier for the crew to navigate and sail the yacht.

The black color of the sail also has a psychological impact on the crew.

Black sails look sleek and sophisticated, and can give the crew a feeling of confidence and power.

This can help to boost morale and performance, leading to better sailing results.

The black sails also have a practical purpose.

The dark color helps to hide dirt, salt and other stains that can accumulate on the sails over time.

This helps to keep the sails looking better for longer, and can help to maintain the yacht’s value.

By carefully considering the performance, psychological and practical benefits of black sails, it is easy to see why they are such a popular choice for yachts.

Black sails can help to improve the speed and performance of the yacht, boost the morale of the crew, and keep the sails looking better for longer.

The Different Types of Black Sails

When it comes to yachting, black sails are becoming increasingly popular.

Depending on the type of yacht, there are multiple varieties of black sails to choose from.

Some of the most common types are laminated sails, mylar sails, and dacron sails.

Laminated sails are made from multiple layers of fabric that have been bonded together with resin.

These sails are typically lightweight and provide excellent performance on the water.

They are also known for their strength, durability, and resistance to UV light.

Mylar sails are made from a synthetic material that is designed to be lightweight and durable.

These sails provide a sleek look and can withstand higher wind speeds than their laminated counterparts.

Dacron sails are made from a woven material that is extremely strong and durable.

This material is perfect for sailing in high winds, and it also helps to reduce the amount of glare that comes off the sails.

No matter which type of black sail you choose, they all offer the same benefits: they provide a stylish look, reduce the amount of sun that reaches the deck, and also reduce glare.

This makes them the perfect choice for sailing in any conditions.

Final Thoughts

The black sails on yachts offer a unique style factor and provide many practical benefits, such as absorbing heat from the sun, cooling the boat, reducing glare, and providing a low profile.

Understanding the advantages of black sails can help you choose the best type of sail for your yacht, and ultimately improve your performance on the water.

With this knowledge, you’ll be ready to sail with style and confidence!.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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One of the best tv shows ever made sets sail on netflix today for the very first time.

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Black Sails

If you’re a fan of swashbuckling adventure stories set on the high seas, today’s your lucky day. One of the best pirate shows ever made comes to Netflix today, after being delayed several months since its originally scheduled arrival back in January.

Black Sails takes place roughly two decades prior to the events of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island. The series, which aired from 2014 - 2017 on Starz, is set in and around the Bahamas during the “Golden Age of Piracy” and the island of New Providence. Much of the story takes place in the port city of Nassau, where we meet the influential tavern owner and fencer/supplier, Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New) and the ambitious prostitute Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy).

The show follows the notorious Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his crew of pirates, rogues and ne'er-do-wells as they navigate a dangerous world filled with powerful foes and other perils.

"In 1715 West Indies, the pirates of New Providence Island threaten maritime trade in the region,” the first episode’s opening title card reads. “The laws of every civilized nation declare them hostis humani generis , enemies of all mankind. In response, the pirates adhere to a doctrine of their own....war against the world."

Many other historical pirates show up throughout the show including “Long” John Silver (Luke Arnold), Charles Vance (Zach McGowan), Jack Rackham (Toby Schmitz) and Anne Bonny (Clara Paget) to name a few. Like many Wild West films or shows such as Deadwood , Black Sails is set in a time of lawlessness and unalloyed freedom, but civilization—here in the form of the encroaching British Empire—threatens to undo everything.

The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000: Boost Your Games For Less

I was actually quite late to the series and have only been watching it recently on Starz (via Amazon Prime Video) so I haven’t even finished this one yet, but after a bit of a clunky start it’s become one of my go-to adventure shows. I’ve seen many people compare it to Game Of Thrones or Vikings because of its political wheelings and dealings, fantastic action sequences and incredible production values, with detailed costume and set design, sprawling pirate ships and a terrific score from composer Bear McCreary . It’s a lot of fun, though also quite gritty. This is not the children’s book that serves, at least partly, as its inspiration.

If you’re a fan of shows like Game Of Thrones, Vikings, The Last Kingdom and other historical adventures, definitely give Black Sails a shot. All four seasons (a total of 38 episodes) set sail on Netflix (US) today.

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Top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world

The list of the top ten largest sailing yachts in the world is not easily disrupted. In fact, it had remained unchanged since the launch of the 106.7-metre Oceanco Black Pearl in 2018, which swiped the top spot from Lürssen 's 93-metre Eos . For four years, Black Pearl remained the largest yacht in the world until early in 2023 when Oceanco sent a new flagship down the slipway, the mighty 127-metre Koru . Read on to discover our official list of the largest sailing yachts in the world. 

1. Koru | 127m

Leading this list is a new entry: Oceanco 's record-breaking 127-metre sailing yacht Koru . Commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Koru has been the subject of much speculation for years but was revealed in all its glory in 2021. Not only is she the largest sailing yacht in the world, she is also the largest superyacht ever to be built in the Netherlands. Her name, Koru, is the Māori word meaning "new beginnings" and she is accompanied by a 75-metre support vessel named Abeona . She was delivered in 2023 and is over 20 metres longer than the former title-holder Black Pearl.

• Builder: Oceanco
• Country of build: Netherlands
• Delivery year: 2023
• Length Overall: 125.82 m
• Beam: 16.95 m
• Gross Tonnage 3493 t

More about this yacht

More stories, 2. black pearl | 106.7m.

Instantly recognisable with her black sails and Dynarig set-up, Black Pearl is the second-largest sailing yacht in the world. Delivered during the same year as 142.81-metre Sailing Yacht A (officially designated as a sail-assisted motor yacht), Black Pearl spent five years in development at Dutch yard Oceanco . Dykstra Naval Architects , Ken Freivokh , Nuvolari Lenard , BMT Nigel Gee and Gerard P Villate all contributed their expertise to this monumental project, which looks set to turn heads the world over for decades to come. She is often compared to Maltese Falcon , the first Dynarig superyacht, but boasts a number of technological advancements. She flies 25 per cent more sail area with hinging spars that fold down to allow her to pass through the Panama Canal, but it is what lies beneath that really counts. Two variable pitch propellers harness kinetic energy while she is under sail, which can run the hotel or recharge the batteries, allowing her to cross oceans without expending a drop of fuel. 

• Delivery year: 2018
• Length Overall: 106.7 m
• Gross Tonnage 2700 t

3. Eos | 92.93m

Eos was built in Germany under a cloak of secrecy for her American media and movie mogul Barry Diller. Eos is a three-masted Bermuda rigged schooner and was refitted at Royal Huisman in 2011. After emerging from her refit the yacht caught fire in Norway and had to return to the yard to be repaired.

• Builder: Lurssen
• Country of build: Germany
• Delivery year: 2006
• Length Overall: 92.93 m
• Beam: 13.5 m
• Gross Tonnage 1500 t

4. Athena | 90m

Athena was built by the Royal Huisman in Holland for US software developer Jim Clark. Athena's advanced engineering means that she is able to sail in relatively light airs, while still offering the interior space typically only found on motor yachts. In stronger winds, Athena has been credited as attaining 19 knots under sail. The yacht's three closed decks include a large owner's suite, four guest suites, a saloon and dining room on the main deck and a sky lounge on the upper deck. Her clipper-bow and three-masted schooner sprung from the boards of Pieter Beeldsnijder (exterior styling) and Dykstra Naval Architects (naval architecture).

• Builder: Royal Huisman
• Delivery year: 2004
• Length Overall: 90 m
• Beam: 12.2 m
• Gross Tonnage 1103 t

5. Maltese Falcon | 88m

Maltese Falcon  was built for the late American venture capitalist Tom Perkins. The iconic three-masted schooner is the fifth-largest sailing yacht in the world. Maltese Falcon's rig is made up of three unstayed, 'weapons-grade' carbon fibre masts, with a fully computerised sail and rotating mast system. The system has been dubbed a triumph of design, development and engineering and Maltese Falcon has topped an impressive 24 knots under sail. The Ken Freivokh interior is a marriage of industrial chic and high tech. It features leather, glass, wood and steel as well as a modern art collection. The yacht has accommodation for 12 guests and is available for charter.

• Builder: Perini Navi
• Country of build: Turkey
• Length Overall: 88 m
• Beam: 12.47 m
• Gross Tonnage 1112 t

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6. aquijo | 85.9m.

The highly anticipated Aquijo was the result of a collaboration between Vitters and Oceanco. Both Dutch yards worked closely with the owner's representative to create a highly complex, performance-driven sailing machine that became the third largest sailing superyacht when launched. Aquijo is an aluminium ketch-rigged yacht, and features a custom steering system. Aquijo's interior layout provides clear sight lines thanks to her high-volume superstructure.

• Builder: Vitters | Oceanco
• Delivery year: 2016
• Length Overall: 85.9 m
• Beam: 14.48 m
• Gross Tonnage 1538 t

7. Sea Eagle II | 81m

Delivered in 2020, Sea Eagle II is the most recent addition to the top ten largest sailing yachts in the world. Built by Royal Huisman, Sea Eagle II features exterior styling by Mark Whiteley and naval architecture penned by Dykstra Naval Architects . Sold in summer 2016 by  Northrop & Johnson  as Project RH400,  Sea Eagle II  is the largest yacht ever built by the Dutch yard. 

• Delivery year: 2020
• Length Overall: 81 m
• Gross Tonnage 1150 t

8. M5 | 78.4m

Built by Vosper Thorneycroft in Southampton, England, M5  was launched as the iconic yacht Mirabella V in 2004. She remains the world’s largest sloop to date. M5 was designed by Ron Holland for American yachtsman Joe Vittoria, who enjoyed sailing her for seven years before she was sold on. The new owner renamed her M5 and she was extended by 3.2 metres in a refit at  Pendennis  before her relaunch in 2013. Her most recent refit , however, in 2019, saw M5 emerge from the sheds with all new paint-work, composite biminis, a reinforced mast and a new bow-thruster.

M5 has a displacement of 780 tonnes (165 tonnes of which is the keel). The carbon fibre mast is an amazing 88.3 metres tall and can carry approximately 3,700 square metres of sail.

• Builder: Vosper Thornycroft
• Country of build: United Kingdom
• Length Overall: 78.4 m
• Beam: 14.8 m
• Gross Tonnage 1009 t

9. Badis | 70m

The second largest Perini Navi sailing yacht to date, Badis was built for the multiple superyacht owner Bill Duker and launched in 2016 as Sybaris . The name comes from a Greek settlement in ancient Italy that was famed for its hedonism, feasts and excesses. Featuring naval architecture and sailplan optimisation by Philippe Briand, this all-aluminium ketch can host up to 12 guests across six cabins. Interiors are by PH Design with a total internal volume of 870GT, while the crew quarters allow for a staff of up to 11. Under power, Badis's twin MTU 16V 2000 M72 diesel engines generate a total of 3,860hp, resulting in a top speed of 17.5 knots and a maximum cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles at 12.5 knots.

• Country of build: Italy
• Length Overall: 70 m
• Beam: 13.24 m
• Gross Tonnage 887 t

10. Atlantic | 69.3m

Atlantic might have the looks of an old classic but don't be fooled, this modern three-masted schooner was delivered in 2010 to an owner with a penchant for classic sailing yachts. She was built from scratch as a replica of the famous 64.5-metre Townsend & Downey schooner by the same name built in 1903. The sailing yacht made history when she set the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing in 1905 - a record that remained unbroken for nearly 100 years - but she was sadly scrapped in 1982. Inspired by its legacy, owner Ed Kastelein built a replica as a tribute to the record-breaking classic at the Van de Graaf shipyard in the Netherlands. The new Atlantic 's three masts stand 50 metres high and support 1,700 square metres of sails with 36 winches in bronze built specially by Harken.

• Builder: Van der Graaf
• Delivery year: 2010
• Length Overall: 69.31 m
• Gross Tonnage 268 t

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The Ending Of Black Sails Finally Explained

Through a swash-buckling four-season run, fans of "Black Sails" have said ahoy to plenty of drama and fights on the open waters. First airing on Starz in 2014, the show follows a group of pirates in New Providence in the early 1700s, led by the charismatic and legendary Captain Flint ( Toby Stephens ). Acting as a prequel to the famed Robert Louis Stevenson novel, "Treasure Island," the show puts its own unique spin on something viewers have seen adapted countless times. Just like the previous seasons, its final ending is abundant in small details and loopbacks to where the story began, successfully bringing the characters' journeys full circle.

Both Season 4 and its finale were showered with positive reviews  when it aired in April 2017, praised for their ability to hold focus on storytelling where other shows seemed to have lost touch. The drama between Flint and Long John Silver (Luke Arnold) reached new heights, with Madi (Zethu Dlomo) a rose stuck between two thorns. While side characters including Anne (Clara Paget) and Jack (Toby Schmitz) could arguably have been explored further, fans made it clear that the show's final outing is something that is definitely worth watching . Head out on the ships for one last time as we take you through exactly what went down in the Season 4 finale of "Black Sails." Spoilers ahead.

Choosing love over war is disappointing

War, huh! What is it good for? Well apparently, the answer is adding more fan satisfaction to the final ending of "Black Sails." Since the show said goodbye for the last time, fans have weighed in on whether the finale's direction was actually the right move after all. According to one particular Reddit thread , the lasting love-fest for "Black Sails" was tainted by an ending that didn't live up to expectations. One fan claims it's because Silver and Flint's storyline ultimately chooses love over war — perhaps engineering a happy ending to preserve the connection that Silver once had with Madi.

At face value, it's easy to see why viewers would want drama over a neatly sewn-up ending. Not only would that make it more likely for potential "Black Sails" spin-offs to return, but it also makes for more exciting viewing — particularly given the history between Flint and Silver. Just as user  blue_mutagen points out, there was never going to be a right answer that the creative team could offer fans. Sure, "retiring" Flint provides the most concise way of bringing the 4 seasons to a close, but do we really want to deal with that?

Flint's end can be viewed in two ways

Like many notable TV adaptations, the story we see onscreen is likely to differ from the original text. In the case of "Black Sails," it's Flint that takes the brunt of the change. Speaking to Collider , show co-creator John Steinberg referred back to Flint's initial path. "When you read the book, you're told that Flint died in a very specific way, and it's a way that doesn't immediately suggest story. He died alone, some indeterminate period of time after the exciting stuff happened, and he died in a very lonely, sad place." In contrast, redesigning Flint's story leads to some immediate confusion.

It could be said that the decision to remove Flint from the audience's radar rather than killing him off outright is purposefully ambiguous. If resurrecting "Treasure Island" really is on the cards, Flint has to stay alive. Silver's version of events leading to Flint's "retirement" suggests there is more tension there than we are led to believe, which is a stark contrast to images of Flint in farmlands of green. The image of the green pear considered the "gift of the Gods" feeds back into Flint's self-comparison to Odysseus in the very first "Black Sails" episode. Whether Flint has been put out to pasture or has reaped the ultimate rewards in the finale feels like it's up to us to decide.

Silver wrestles with his alter ego

The legend of Long John Silver is something we know all too well, and Silver's journey throughout "Black Sails" is leading to bigger things unsaid. From the beginning of the show, Silver is defined as a person who has arrived from nowhere, being pulled toward those who come from an opposite kind of life. Not only does this mean that Flint and Silver naturally see the world in completely different ways, but it also leads to Silver battling the legendary persona that he has built for himself. The ability to make a personal choice that Flint can't is one of the key things that defines Silver bowing out of "Black Sails."

All at once, the Season 4 finale shows Silver taken by his own status and repulsed by it. Flint can tell that Silver's current circumstances won't be enough to fulfill him, meaning the episode results in Silver looking for something he once left behind. It's a decision that would make a season of a "Treasure Island" spinoff feel more meaningful, given the constraints of his reunion with Madi in the Season 4 finale. Thematically, Silver's storyline is a huge champion of what the "Black Sails" series stands for — you can try to run away from who you are, but you'll always return.

Madi and Silver's reunion only goes so far

The Season 4 finale of "Black Sails" leads to something fans have been waiting for — a reunion between Silver and Madi. Initially working alongside each other to form an alliance, fans see the pair progress from allies to lovers over the course of Seasons 3 and 4. In the case of the Season 4 finale, it's a painful realization to Silver that whatever he has with Madi will never be enough to sustain him. It's something Flint tells him straight to his face, resulting in a painful distance between the two that's replicated in the episode's parting shots with a gorgeous horizon behind them.

Speaking to Inverse , co-creator Robert Levine signals that this styling reflects the nature of the pair's relationship. "The way you see them at the end, they're in the same frame but they're yards away from each other. Emotionally, that's as close as they'll ever get again." It's unlikely to be an ending that fans are pleased with, as some viewers recognize Silver's selfish intentions as the show draws to a close. They say a leopard can't change its spots, and it's true in the case of Silver. Their frosty end doesn't necessarily mean that their romantic connection won't be picked up in potential spinoffs, but it is likely to send Silver off on a completely different path instead.

Flint and Silver's endgames were planned from the beginning

Between our two leading men, there's been a lot to explore when it comes to Flint and Silver. The lynchpins of "Black Sails," the show's finale depicts an ending that feels both final and open-ended. The question of whether Silver did in fact shoot the gun hangs in the balance, while Flint's mysterious "retirement" leaves the crew believing he has died on his own in the Savannah. With such a famous text to base the program on, their fates, to an extent, are unsurprising. Yet according to creators Levine and Steinberg, the ending for Flint and Silver has been planned all along.

Speaking to Inverse , Steinberg says: "The Flint and Silver story has been with us a long time. At the beginning there was a more obvious path: They would become enemies and be antagonists in each other's story. We made the choice early on that it would be more impactful and tragic if what you're watching is these two guys who are as close to each other as anyone in the world, and there's just this one point at which they can't connect." The events of the Season 4 finale mean that Goliath has been beaten by David, although neither of them is leaving "Black Sails" in the best shape.

Reunions and defeat make for happy fans

When it comes to ending a show on a high, "Black Sails" seems to have got certain things largely right. Though there has been much debate over Flint's personal fate, many fans have voiced their opinions on why they thought the Season 4 finale was the perfect ending. Reddit user stgeorge78 cites how the finale has maintained its high level of quality and drama, propelling the pirate genre into an entirely new space on TV. The finale's success is largely thanks to its emphasis on relationships, with deep-diving into character journeys remaining at the core of the show itself. Whether it's watching Silver and Madi spare each others' feelings or finding out what happens to Jack and Anne, defeating the bad times is a winning format for everyone.

At the same time, it's unsurprising that some viewers still have questions about what the Season 4 finale has revealed. Any good climax is one that leaves us guessing or drawing our own conclusions — and that's a strategy "Black Sails" relies upon heavily. We always knew that the rebellion was going to end, but whether "Treasure Island" lives to see another day remains a mystery. Who's to say Flint won't show up again after finding his happiness?

Did we see enough of Anne Bonny?

Out of all of the character journeys we see in the Season 4 finale of "Black Sails," Anne Bonny's is arguably the most simplistic. Surviving the episode's final battle, we see her reunited with Jack — becoming the only two pirate captains to sail under the black completely in secret. It's a straightforward path from point A to point B, leaving the action between Flint, Silver, and Madi to take a starring role. Though the decision is understandable, it's left some fans questioning if we saw enough of Anne through the season finale drama.

Given that the show prides itself on prioritizing character storylines and emotions, it's somewhat a surprise that Anne takes a backseat.  Some fans think that this is because the female characters are overall much weaker in "Black Sails," though Anne may get credit for being one of the more well-developed ones. Others claim that "the depth and danger" of her story aren't fully appreciated, arguing that in a world of pirates, even Jack and Anne can't fully trust each other. Leaving the pair to literally sail off into the sunset is possibly the easy way out, neatly sewing up their story to leave time for bigger storylines.

The final episodes stay character-rich

At the same time, it can't be said that "Black Sails" doesn't stay fully focused on its characters. Regardless of where our favorite pirates are in their individual journeys, the narrative never strays from figuring out their end game. While talking to The Hollywood Reporter , Steinberg explains how this naturally manifests with the example of Flint and Silver. "We had to embrace the fact that there would have to be things that were left unsaid and were going to have to exist in subtext and performance and context in order for it to be honest. That felt right. There is, at least to me when I watch it, a significant amount happening between the two of them that is all under the surface. But at the same time, you want it to play at face value."

While the season finale continues to deliver on fleshing out the legacy of Silver, Flint, and more, fans have lavished praise on the show's continued ability to live up to expectations. Reddit user IronMaximus claims "Black Sails" is one of the greatest programs of all time in terms of character development, while Nic727 praises the season finale in particular for doing an awesome job of rounding out the narrative progression. Where so many shows fall at the final hurdle, it's safe to say "Black Sails" proved itself until the very end.

The blueprint for Treasure Island is laid out

For some fans, it might have felt as though four seasons of "Black Sails" wasn't quite enough. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter , Steinberg explains how the team arrived at the decision to call it quits. "It was during season four when we felt like all the endings we hoped we would get to were starting to approach very quickly. We spent a little time at the end of season four thinking about if we were done and it felt like we were." However, it's also been clear from the beginning that the end of "Black Sails" merges with the beginning of "Treasure Island." It's a case of never say never, but wants could well see our favorite pirates return once more in an entirely new spinoff.

According to Den of Geek , a "Treasure Island" series is something that has definitely been discussed. "I don't necessarily know if it would fit the children's story that is "Treasure Island," but maybe we could do our own version of a children's story. The 'Black Sails' version," said executive producer Dan Shotz. Picking up where "Black Sails" left off would be a natural workaround to commissioning a fifth season of the show, with the fact so much time has passed in between only playing to a future spinoff's advantage.

Partnership-turned-friendship-turned-enemies?

When it comes down to it, "Black Sails" is really only about the relationship between two men — Flint and Silver. Across the show's four seasons, fans see them progress from a hesitant partnership into a blossoming friendship, even though there are plenty of obstacles along the way. By the time fans watch the Season 4 finale, their relationship seems to tip into the realm of enemies. Without taking anything else into account, there's an obvious elephant in the room, leaving viewers to wonder whether Silver has fired a gun directly at Flint. While Silver seems to arrive full circle at where he started in Season 1, Flint is within touching distance of happiness with Thomas (Rupert Penry-Jones) – though whether he truly managed to find it is up to interpretation.

Given that "Black Sails" is a show about the highs and lows of pirates on the open seas, it makes sense that Silver and Flint's relationship would gradually turn sour at some point. Not only does this heighten the drama — and certainly makes the show's ending more exciting — but their ever-changing relationship stays true to the nature of their fraught friendship. What comes between two men more than a woman and the chance of promised happiness? 

The thought of Max and Anne stays in our minds

There's only one way a gripping drama about pirates could get any better, and that's to include some meaningful queer representation. When we are introduced to Anne in Season 1 of "Black Sails," she's enamored with Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy) while exploring the connection she has with Jack. With plenty of memorable scenes in their wake, the relationship between Max and Anne has completely changed by the time viewers get to the Season 4 finale. The two have drifted apart and are on their way to turning against each other — but there's still an element of Anne getting both the man and woman that she wants. While she chooses the guy in the episode's final moments, fans can't be blamed for wanting a slightly different romantic ending.

The fact that Max gets her moment to pursue the woman she loves is something that fans have praised for being included in the Season 4 finale. It makes it all the more bittersweet when Max and Anne don't end up together forever, instead favoring the relationship that we knew would come out on top all along. Steinberg spoke about his surprise with its success to The Hollywood Reporter : "I think the Max and Anne relationship was something that became emotionally impactful in a way that we didn't see coming. That was a lesson in if you're not letting stories evolve naturally, then you're missing all the good stuff."

Could we ever see a Black Sails reboot or spinoff?

With the original run of "Black Sails" ending in 2017, one question has remained unanswered: will we ever see a reboot or spinoff? Currently, there are no concrete plans to revive the show, but we know discussions surrounding a potential resurrection have taken place . The most likely variation of this is a narrative segue into "Treasure Island," with the Season 4 finale neatly landing the story exactly where the famous book picks up. Speaking to Inverse , Steinberg explains why it was so important to Flint and Silver's story to align the two. "The end of his story in this show is the hope that he can get away from it. That made "Treasure Island" feel like a meaningful sequel about a massive transformation in that character. It was foretold by Flint, but it wasn't preordained."

That being said, some fans disagree with the direction of a possible spinoff. Reddit member Blackthroat39 says that viewers don't need another iteration of "Treasure Island," but instead would benefit from a prequel of "Nassau." Exploring the golden days that came before "Black Sails" equally adds to the show's plentiful character scope, set 10 years before the beginning of the program. Whatever direction a spinoff could go in, the possibility has never seemed unlikely, particularly given the wealth of side characters the show has yet to fully explore.

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Standing at 350ft,  Black Pearl  is the world’s largest sailing yacht and is estimated to have cost in excess of $200 million. The unique vessel was garnering global attention long before her maiden voyage thanks to her revolutionary design, eco-credentials and technological advancements, all of which have set a new industry standard and seen her scoop-up numerous awards for innovation. 

Delivered in 2018 by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, the three-mast yacht is said to be the realization of a radical vision by her owner who wanted “to build something that was out of the ordinary in every way,” according to the ship’s captain Chris Gartner. Who is  Black Pearl’s  owner? This, along with much of her interior details, has never been officially released, all adding to  Black Pearl’s  mystique. That being said, she is widely believed to belong to the Russian businessman, Oleg Burlakov.

This unmistakable vessel is not the product of one designer but in fact the result of an ambitious cross-industry collaboration between some of international yachting’s greatest creative minds. UK-based Ken Freivokh Design (responsible for the iconic  Maltese Falcon ) and Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard (behind Steven Speilberg’s  Seven Seas  yacht) teamed up to create her striking exterior. However, it is not just her aesthetics that sets her apart, but also her utilization of the very latest green technology, which according to Oceanco, has rendered her capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. “How?” one might ask. 

The superyacht is capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel / ©Tom Van Oossanen

In fact, under sail, the yacht can reach an incredible 30 knots and regenerate enough energy to power the boat’s full house load, removing the need to run generators. 

Black Pearl  is also powered by an advanced hybrid propulsion system that Oceanco designed in collaboration with specialist consultancyBMT Nigel Gee. Gartner explains how the complex system generates electricity through the vessel’s spinning propellers: “Her hybrid propulsion installation has two shaft lines, each with a controllable pitch propeller. In normal sailing mode, the propellers are set to minimize drag and prevent the shafts from turning. But when we want to harvest some of that kinetic energy to be stored and used onboard, the pitch of the propellers is altered to create a lifting force as the water passes over them. This rotates the shafts, which are connected to a permanent magnet electric propulsion motor, effectively converting the wind energy that is moving  Black Pearl  through the water into electrical energy.”

Little information has been released about Black Pearl’ s  interiors / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Her interiors – which remain a closely guarded secret – were also designed by Nuvolari Lenard and French architect Gerard Villate. Other than that, what we do know is that she has six cabins providing accommodation for up to 12 guests, including a master suite and two VIP cabins.  Black Pearl’s  total interior volume is a roomy 2,700 GT, significantly overshadowing the world’s second-largest sailing yacht the  EOS  at 1500 GT. 

No actual pictures of the inside of the vessel have ever been released but according to Nuvolari Lenard, the interior is a celebration of Louis XVI French design (think elaborate neoclassical touches like wood carvings, gold accents and sumptuous fabrics) as well as some art deco touches. The Italian design studio has also  shared a handful of interior renderings  to give us a hint of what may lie inside the  Black Pearl  yacht. These include an elaborately decorated dining room that can seat up to 16 guests. We would expect to see this same level of grandeur throughout her accommodation. 

Relax 

The Black Pearl yacht is said to have plenty onboard to keep passengers entertained / ©Tom Van Oossanen

Black Pearl  is said to have a wealth of recreational spaces spread across her three decks, though due to her secretive nature, little information has been published as to what delights she offers her passengers. Aerial photographs reveal a pool aft of the main deck as well as a hot tub aft of the upper deck. There is also a fold-down platform at the aft of the yacht which is likely to transform into a full-beam beach club. 

Ken Freivokh Design  features a mysterious unnamed 328-ft-plus DynaRig yacht on its website which some may speculate could give us an insight into the luxury facilities on board the vessel. The unidentified yacht includes a substantial toy and tender garage housing two limousine tenders, a hydroplane and a range of utility tenders and jet skis. It is also said to feature a helipad and an extending forward deck that can be used for entertaining guests as well as spotting dolphins. If that wasn’t enough, other out-of-this-world amenities include a glass-fronted swimming pool and an aquarium. Could  Black Pearl  host similar facilities? It’s anyone’s guess. 

A true sailing vessel, the  Black Pearl  yacht is built for adventure and her lower carbon footprint means her voyages are much kinder to the planet than those of a typical motor yacht of similar stature. 

Despite her transatlantic credentials she appears to spend most of her time cruising around Europe with regular sightings in Gibraltar as well as stopovers on the Isle of Portland on England’s south coast, the Spanish ports of Cadiz and Tarragona, the Russian city of St.Petersburg and of course Monaco where her owner is said to reside.

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39m  /  127'11 | wally | 2009 / 2010.

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The multi-award winning 39m/127'11" sail yacht 'Black Sails' (ex. Cannonball) was built by Wally in Italy at their Fano shipyard. Her interior is styled by Italian designer design house Wally and she was completed in 2009. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Javier Soto Acebal and she was last refitted in 2010.

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Black Sails is built with a composite hull and composite superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by 1 x diesel MAN (D 0836 LE401 EDS) 450hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 14 knots. Her water tanks store around 2,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) classification society rules.

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Season 1 – Black Sails

Where to watch, black sails — season 1.

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Black Sails boasts visual appeal, but the show's bland characters aren't strong enough to keep the show from being dragged down into its murky depths of aimless exposition.

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Robert Levine

Jonathan E. Steinberg

Toby Stephens

Captain Flint

Eleanor Guthrie

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John Silver

Jessica Parker Kennedy

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Black Sails

Follows Captain Flint and his pirates twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel "Treasure Island." Follows Captain Flint and his pirates twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel "Treasure Island." Follows Captain Flint and his pirates twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel "Treasure Island."

• Robert Levine
• Jonathan E. Steinberg
• Jessica Parker Kennedy
• Toby Stephens
• 389 User reviews
• 58 Critic reviews
• 8 wins & 34 nominations total

Episodes 38

Photos 2182

• Captain Flint

• Eleanor Guthrie

• Captain Charles Vane

• John Silver

• Billy Bones

• Featherstone

• Captain Benjamin Hornigold

• Woodes Rogers

• Miranda Barlow

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia Chris Larkin (Berringer) and Toby Stephens (Flint) are brothers. Their parents are Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Robert Stephens. Anna-Louise Plowman (Mrs Hudson) is Toby Stephens's wife.
• Goofs The language spoken is questionable throughout the series. There is no agreement on when the F word came into being as a swear word; the educated classes are constantly saying "you and I" when it should be "you and me"; and there is regular use of "excuse me", which is a more modern Americanism, instead of "I beg your pardon".
• Crazy credits The opening titles are a montage of white statues depicting the lives of pirates, incorporating black skeletons and dark oceans.
• Connections Featured in Dubbing 007 (2014)
• Soundtracks Theme from Black Sails (uncredited) Composed and Conducted by Bear McCreary

User reviews 389

• bogunjackass
• Apr 23, 2014

Everything New on Netflix in April

• How many seasons does Black Sails have? Powered by Alexa
• So what's up with Long John Silver's mysterious past? Are there any hints at the truth of where he comes from and who he was before he's introduced in episode 1, or is it simply a stylistic device?
• Is this show a true story?
• January 25, 2014 (United States)
• South Africa
• United States
• Official site
• Velas negras
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Film Afrika Worldwide
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• Runtime 1 hour

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Screen Rant

Every real pirate in black sails & what happened to them.

Black Sails cast of complex characters includes both fictional pirates from Treasure Island and historical figures from the Golden Age of Piracy.

• Black Sails is a detailed example of historical fiction, featuring real historical pirates in its main cast.
• The fates of historical pirates such as Anne Bonny, "Calico Jack" Rackham, and Charles Vane are depicted with similarities to history.
• Black Sails hints at the further adventures of real historical pirate Mary Read with Bonny and Rackham.

The TV show Black Sails is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel Treasure Island , following the exploits of Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his crew of pirates. While the show is led by fictional characters such as Flint, the infamous Long John Silver (Luke Arnold), and the mysterious Billy Bones (Tom Hopper), characters who were real historical pirates are also among the main cast. Most of the historical pirates who appear in Black Sails operated in the Caribbean in the early 18th century, which is the show's setting.

Most of the Black Sails characters did know each other and worked together in reality. They were hunted by historical figures including Woodes Rogers (Luke Roberts), who appears as an antagonist on the show. While they do not appear, the historical pirates Henry Avery and Samuel Bellamy are referenced by other characters. This demonstrates how Black Sails is a detailed example of historical fiction.

9 Anne Bonny (Clara Paget)

The real anne bonny's fate is a mystery..

The real Anne Bonny was born in Ireland and was the illegitimate daughter of a lawyer. She married James Bonny first but left him for "Calico Jack" Rackham. Bonny joined Rackham's crew, which included another woman, Mary Read. Black Sails depicts Bonny and Rackham as fiercely dedicated to each other, despite their tumultuous relationship. Bonny is devastated when Rackham chooses to temporarily exclude her from his partnership with Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy) in Black Sails season 2.

The real Anne Bonny disappeared from history in 1720. When Rackham's crew was captured, Bonny and Read delayed their executions by saying they were pregnant. There is no record of Bonny's death or release. Black Sails ends with Bonny and Rackham returning to piracy, while Max becomes the unofficial leader of Nassau. A new member of Bonny and Rackham's crew who is implied to be Mary Read makes a brief appearance in the series finale.

8 John "Calico Jack" Rackham (Toby Schmitz)

Calico jack was charles vane's quartermaster..

At the beginning of Black Sails , Rackham is the quartermaster of Charles Vane's (Zach McGowan) crew. The real Rackham was likewise Vane's quartermaster. Rackham eventually peacefully deposed Vane as captain, allowing him and his supporters to take another ship. In Black Sails , Bonny and Rackham also leave Vane's crew to pursue other profitable opportunities.

The historical Rackham sailed with Anne Bonny and Mary Read for some time after parting ways with Vane. Rackham was executed in Port Royal in 1720. When his crew was attacked, most of the men were drunk and Bonny and Read were the only ones who put up a fight. Bonny's famous last words to Rackham were, “If you had fought like a man, you need not have been hang’d like a dog" (via Smithsonian Magazine ).

10 Reasons Why You Should Revisit Black Sails

7 charles vane (zach mcgowan), charles vane's black sails death is similar to history..

In Black Sails , Charles Vane is depicted as a rival captain who ideologically comes into conflict with the show's protagonist Captain Flint. He and Flint eventually come to respect one another. Vane is captured, tried, and killed in Black Sails season 3. He delivers a speech from the gallows intended to inspire a rebellion against the British. Billy Bones and some other pirates attempt to rescue Vane, while Rackham and Bonny plan to avenge his death. The real Vane was tried and hanged in Port Royal in 1721.

6 Mr. Scott (Hakeem Kae-Kazim)

Mr. scott is not a historical pirate but was inspired by history..

In Black Sails , Mr. Scott is a former slave who is Eleanor Guthrie's (Hannah New) advisor at the beginning of the series, but becomes Benjamin Hornigold's (Patrick Lyster) quartermaster. While Scott is an original character, he is representative of the role escaped slaves played during the Golden Age of Piracy. According to britannica.com , "It is estimated that up to one-third of the 10,000 pirates during the golden age of piracy were former slaves."

In season 3, it is revealed that Scott has a wife known only on the show as the "Maroon Queen" (Moshidi Motshegwa) and a daughter named Madi (Zethu Dlomo). His wife is the leader of a community of former slaves on Maroon Island. She may be inspired by the historical figure known as "Queen Nanny," the leader of a community in the mountains of Jamaica. Scott is shot by English soldiers while helping others escape to Maroon Island and later dies of infection in season 3.

5 Edward "Blackbeard" Teach (Ray Stevenson)

Blackbeard's black sails death also alludes to history..

In season 3, Blackbeard returns to Nassau after the Guthries are deposed, where he meets his former protégé Vane. As he does in Black Sails , the real Blackbeard ran across other famous pirates, including Vane and Rackham. When Blackbeard was killed in battle, his head was hung from the bowsprit of the enemy ship, and his body was tossed overboard. According to legend, his corpse swam around the ship several times before sinking out of sight. Black Sails gives Blackbeard a similar death to history: He is keelhauled and beheaded by Rogers in season 4.

4 Israel Hands (David Wilmot)

Black sails develops israel hands' story after a fallout with blackbeard..

Israel Hands was the long-time first mate of Blackbeard, which remains true on the show. However, Black Sails' Hands and Blackbeard fell out when Blackbeard made Vane his apparent successor. Hands first appears in season 4 and survives by signing a treaty in exchange for a pardon along with some of the other pirates. Hands also appears as Long John Silver's first mate in Treasure Island . In reality, Hands was not present when Blackbeard was killed, because he was recovering from Blackbeard accidentally shooting him in the leg. Hands was subsequently captured and received a pardon in exchange for information on Blackbeard's business partners. His fate after this is unknown.

Our Flag Means Death vs. Black Sails: Which Is More Historically Accurate?

3 benjamin hornigold (patrick lyster), black sails does not show captain hornigold working with blackbeard..

Black Sails accurately depicts Benjamin Hornigold as a pirate captain collaborating with the other famous pirates of the 18th century. However, the fictional Hornigold betrays the others in exchange for a pardon and works with Rogers. He is subsequently killed by Flint. In real life, Blackbeard was Hornigold's second-in-command before becoming the captain of his own ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. The real Hornigold did accept a pardon and became a pirate hunter, working closely with the real Rogers. Hornigold died in a shipwreck in 1719.

2 Ned Low (Tadhg Murphy)

Ned low's black sails death is entirely fictional..

The real Edward "Ned" Low was a pirate captain known for his cruelty and torturing his captives. There are conflicting reports of Low's ultimate fate: He may have been killed or set adrift by his crew after a mutiny. Low has a small but vital role in Black Sails season 2 when he captures Abigail Ashe (Meganne Young) while she is traveling to Charles Town. Abigail becomes an important hostage as Flint attempts to negotiate with her father Peter Ashe (Nick Boraine). Vane kills Low to secure Abigail. Vane stakes Low's head on Nassau's beach along with a sign that says "I angered Charles Vane."

1 Mary/Mark Read (Cara Roberts)

Mary read's appearance hints at more adventures for bonny and rackham..

Mary Read appears in the finale episode of Black Sails , presumably becoming a trusted partner of Bonny and Rackham in the future. Read introduces herself as "Mark Read" to Bonny and Rackham. The real Read possibly had a romantic relationship with Bonny. She and Bonny both claimed to be pregnant when the crew was captured, but Read died in prison, most likely of a fever. If Black Sails season 5 had happened, it could have depicted the exploits of Read, Bonny, and Rackham. Overall, Black Sails is a unique piece of historical fiction that alludes to history as well as the plot of Treasure Island .

Source: Smithsonian Magazine , britannica.com

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Den of Geek

Black Sails: A Look at Fictional and Historical Pirates

We break down the literary and historical pirates who terrorize the high seas on Black Sails!

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Black Sails season 3 premieres on Starz on January 23rd. If you want to catch up on seasons 1 and 2, click here!

This article contains some Black Sails spoilers.

Black Sails  has placed itself at an interesting junction between fact and fiction, bringing the pirates of Robert Lewis Stevenson’s  Treasure Island  to live in the real-world pirate city of New Providence, Nassau, during the Golden Age of Piracy.

What this means to you, the viewers, is that most of the characters have a “real history” apart from the show. Some of these histories run closely parallel to the characters you see on your television. Let’s take a look at some of them.

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Black Sails: Pirates of Treasure Island

Pirate captain, former gentleman, a schemer, Captain Flint (his given name is never revealed) is one of the most striking characters in  Treasure Island , even though he never actually appears in the book. Flint is the man who captured and buried the treasure, marking its location with the pointing limbs of murdered shipmates.

Flint’s ultimate end? Death by liver failure in a cheap rooming house in Savanah. His former crew remember the days when they sailed with Flint with nostalgia and terror.

A legendary schemer, Silver is the one-legged pirate who moves the action in  Treasure Island .  He already owns a successful business, the Spyglass tavern, but he wants it all: fortune, fame, and the kind of power that comes when you’ve got cash to burn. He signs his former shipmates aboard the ship  Hispaniola,  plans the mutiny, carries it out, and is only foiled by the actions of teenage Jim Hawkins.

Revealing how Silver got to be this cunning, strong, daring leader is half of what drives  Black Sails . As Stevens said, “Men feared Flint, but Flint feared Silver.”

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Billy Bones

Treasure Island  starts when Billy Bones blows into town, with a mind full of horrible memories and a chest full of treasure. It is Bones who sings “Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!” – The first time anyone ever did.

Billy wants the local folk to call him “Captain” and he tells tales of horrible doings, then wakes at night from recollections too terrible to reveal. He’s the man who stuck with Flint when all else left him, and he’s the one who gets the treasure map for his trouble.

Barely mentioned by Robert Louis Stevenson, Max (un-named in the book) is Silver’s wife, a “negress” of uncommon intelligence, who is supposed to sell their tavern and rendezvous with Silver in the Caribbean after he secures Flint’s treasure.

Flint does make off with some of the treasure, and I’ll assume he meets Max again, and they have further adventures.

Black Sails Historical Pirates

Like many pirates, Charles Vane’s origins are obscure. He was definitely one of the captains that founded the Pirate Republic on Nassau, but he does not seem to have been well-liked, even by the pirates (and he definitely didn’t run around shirtless and in tight black leather pants… Sorry ladies!).

He was captain of the  Ranger , but was deposed by Calico Jack when he refused to attack a heavily armed French ship. Given one of the flotilla’s smaller sloops when he lost the  Ranger  to Rackham, Vane tried to re-build his power, but was shipwrecked and ultimately hanged. Vane is also noted for standing up to the English authorities, and refusing to accept a pardon from the King.

Calico Jack Rackham

A contemporary picture shows a gaunt-faced, hook nosed man. Rackham was brave to the point of being foolhardy. He was quartermaster of Vane’s  Ranger  and after becoming captain, he was one of those who accepted a pardon for his piratical acts.

Rackham’s downfall was Anne Bonny. He wanted to marry her, and when he could not do so (she was already married and they could not get permission from her husband) he went back to sea and took her with him, apparently planning on taking revenge on the world.

Jack cut a wide swath of mayhem through the Caribbean, but was caught when he celebrated too soon after escaping a Navy cutter. He and the crew were dead drunk when the Navy found them again, and they were unable to fight.

Rackham was hanged in Jamaica on March 29, 1721.

[related article – Black Sails: The Real Story of Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny]

Anne came from a well-to-do family, and married the small-time pirate James Bonny in a fit of teenage rebellion. Bonny was infuriated that Anne’s father cut her off without a penny. He mistreated his new wife, and she got back at him by sleeping with every other pirate in port. The two eventually moved to Nassau, where James faded, and then became an informer for the English Government.

Though Anne lived alone in the wickedest city on earth, no history ever describes her as a victim. She won the respect of the pirates in her own right. When she went to sea with Jack Rackham, she lived and worked like other members of the crew.

Captured with Jack, she disappeared from prison sometime in 1721. Her ultimate fate is unknown.

Eleanor Guthrie

Not quite a historical figure in her own right, Eleanor and her father represent members of the Guthrie clan, a Scottish merchant family who lived near Nassau and made a fortune dealing with the pirates.

There were no “strong female members” of the clan, like Eleanor, and these merchants made no effort to interfere with pirate politics, but they were a real enough group of people.

Although he had a short career on  Black Sails , Ned Low had a long career as a pirate – over 3 years. He was one of the few truly evil pirates, probably a sociopath, who savagely tortured his victims, apparently just for fun.

Low captured over 100 ships, and may or may not have been marooned by his own men for murdering a member of his pirate crew. His actual fate is unknown.

Benjamin Hornigold

A former privateer, Benjamin Hornigold lost the support of the English government after the end of the War of Spanish Succession (Also called Queen Anne’s War). He began pirating, starting out with a canoe, and building his power until he captained the  Benjamin  – a warship as large as the  Queen Anne’s Revenge .

Hornigold was a pivotal figure in the story of the Caribbean pirates. He literally taught pirating to some of the most famous pirates ever, including Sam Bellamy and Blackbeard, and his influence colored the careers of dozens of pirate ships and over a thousand individual pirates. He might have been a pirate king, but his loyalty to England prevented him from attacking English ships, which reduced his popularity with the pirates.

One of the founders of the Pirate Republic in Nassau, Hornigold was a moderate, who strongly disapproved of harming captives. He took the pardon of 1720 and went back to privateering, dying in a shipwreck several years later.

You can read more about the real Benjamin Hornigold right here.

The most famous pirate ever is not what you’d expect. Though his early life remains obscure, there are hints that, unlike most pirates, Blackbeard came from a well-to-do family. He may or may not have also had African ancestry.

Wherever he came from, the pirate known as Blackbeard knew how to create terror. But it was terror with a purpose. Paralyzed by fear at his approach, victims gave their utmost cooperation, allowing Blackbeard to take what he wanted without ever harming any of his captives. But, also unlike most pirates, he had a taste for treachery, marooning his own men to increase his share of plunder, then turning on the men who had pardoned him to take up a life of crime again.

Blackbeard met his fate at the hands of a navy lieutenant, his severed head carried back to North Carolina for a reward that never materialized. Legend has it that his body still roams the beaches, trying to get back his lost skull. But that’s just a legend, right?  

Blackbeard will join up for Black Sails season 3, and we’ll report on his legendary exploits. And we’ll also be reporting on new additions to the cast as they show up. Den of Geek is pirate central!

TS Rhodes is the author of  The Pirate Empire  series . She blogs about pirates at  thepirateempire.blogspot.com  

TS Rhodes is the author of The Pirate Empire series. She blogs about pirates at thepirateempire.blogspot.com  .

'Black Sails' Is Based on Real History, but It's Not Completely Accurate

'Black Sails' features some real historical figures as well as some people who are totally fictional.

Apr. 17 2024, Published 11:13 a.m. ET

Although the show has been over for several years, Black Sails was introduced to an entirely new audience when it arrived on Netflix in 2024. Following its arrival, many who are new to the show have questions about it, and those questions range from what the show is about to whether it is based on actual history.

The series follows Captain Flint, a brilliant, fearsome pirate who sails the high seas in 1715 and fights for the freedom of a debauched island that he loves.

The show lasted for four seasons, running from 2014 to 2017 on Starz, and many want to know whether any of the stories it tells are true. Here's what we know about whether Black Sails is a true story.

Is 'Black Sails' a true story?

Black Sails artfully combines fiction and actual history, often inserting fictional characters in and around actual events. Some of the pirates on the show, like Charles Vane, are real people from history. Many of the show's central characters, though, including Captain Flint and Long John Silver, are fictional. In fact, Black Sails is riffing on one of the most popular pieces of pirate fiction ever written.

'Black Sails' is based on 'Treasure Island.'

The series is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island , and features many of the same characters as that novel. The novel was the first to amalgamate real history with fictional characters, and Black Sails is simply taking a page out of the same playbook. Some of the people are real figures, while others are fictional. The same is true for the events of the series. Some of the major ones really happened, while others are entirely made up.

The co-existence of fictional characters with real historical figures allowed the show to be flexible in its storytelling, and gave it space to diverge from actual history when the story would be better off as a result. Over the course of its four seasons, Black Sails integrated fiction and history more successfully than most TV shows ever have.

Which pirates in 'Black Sails' are based on real people?

Although many of the show's primary characters are fictional, the show also includes appearances, sometimes in prominent roles, by real pirates like Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny, Benjamin Hornigold, Jack Rackham, Ned Low, and Israel Hands.

Some of these characters don't get major roles on the show, but others, like Charles Vane, are actually quite prominent as characters.

Charles is a great example of the way that real historical figures could co-exist with fiction on Black Sails . While he was initially supposed to have a small role on the show, he became a fan favorite to such an extent that his role became more and more prominent as the show went on.

Now that Black Sails is on Netflix, it is likely to earn a much wider audience than it did when it was still on Starz. On top of that, it will likely encourage many more people to learn about the real historical figures the show is based on, and maybe even read Treasure Island too.

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NASA Langley is testing solar sail technology that could reduce costs of space missions

A sunlight-propelled satellite floating though space on huge metallic sails sounds like an idea straight from science fiction.

But scientists at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton have spent five years making the technology a reality and plan to launch a test mission as soon as April 23. If successful, the sail technology could reduce the cost of space missions and make monitoring the sun much easier for scientists.

“It’s really exciting and I’m really excited for what this could demonstrate,” Matthew Chamberlain, head of the structural dynamics branch at Langley, said during a Tuesday media event.

Much like a sailboat harnesses the power of wind, the solar sails use the sun’s light radiation to move through space, Chamberlain said. The pressure of sunlight is imperceptible to humans, but absent Earth’s gravity, the force from light photons bouncing off the reflective sails is strong enough to push the satellite through space.

The technology is able to cram a four-piece, 860-square-foot metallic sail configuration as wide as an apartment into a satellite module the size of a small microwave. The sails are made out of an aluminum-coated membrane 2.5 microns thick — thinner than a human hair, said Jay Warren, chief engineer for the sail system. The sail material, which feels like a very thin party balloon, is so light that a breeze from a door opening and closing can tear it.

The sails are attached to four hollow composite booms, which act like ship masts and hold the sails in place. The 23-foot-long booms are also made from ultra-lightweight materials and can be collapsed and rolled up like a piece of tape. The process of unfolding the booms and sails in space will take about 25 minutes, Warren said.

The upcoming mission has one main goal: to deploy the sail. A secondary objective, Warren said, is to attempt to raise the orbit of the satellite using the sails. This could prove challenging, he said, because the sails are not made to fly in low-Earth orbit.

“So, that’s an extra bonus,” Warren said.

If successful, the technology could be scaled up to support larger sail configurations up to 5,400 square feet using booms up to 54.5 feet in length. Those sails could help send weather instruments closer to the sun to serve as an early warning system for solar storms that can damage sensitive electronics on Earth.

The technology is also cheaper and lighter than rocket propulsion, said Greg Dean, the project’s assembly integration and test lead.

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NASA scientists believe the booms could be used to create other structures on the moon and Mars. Additionally, the sail technology could be used by private companies as drag sails to safely take down satellites and other space junk.

NASA plans to launch the mission from a Rocket Lab Electron rocket at the company’s New Zealand launch facility, with the 30-day launch window beginning 5:30 p.m. April 23, based on the U.S. Eastern time zone.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, [email protected]

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Pirates, Sex, and Scandal: Starz’s ‘Black Sails’ is Poised to Conquer Netflix

Where to stream:.

• Black Sails

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Avast, me streaming mateys! For the perfect new spring binge watch has just dropped on Netflix today! Ten years after Black Sails became a beloved cult hit on Starz , all four seasons of the sexy, scandalous, addictive, and adrenaline-fueled show have landed on Netflix. While Black Sails has inspired legions of fans the world over, it never quite got to capture the massive audience that, say, fellow 2014 Starz launch Outlander did. Has the time finally come for Black Sails to become a sleeper streaming hit? We’d say so — especially since it’s the perfect time of years to escape to a steamy, sun-drenched action-adventure series full of fun.

Black Sails was created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, and originally envisioned as a sort of prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved pirate novel, Treasure Island . Whether you read the book as a kiddo (or just watched Muppet Treasure Island ), you’ll know that story follows young Jim Hawkins as he falls under the spell of a ship’s charismatic peg-legged cook who turns out to be legendary pirate “Long” John Silver. Black Sails takes us back in time to when a young, hot, and fully ambulatory “Long” John ( Luke Arnold ) and his bountifully-bicep-ed buddy William “Billy Bones” Manderly ( Tom Hopper ) served under the enigmatic Captain Flint ( Toby Stephens ).

Even though Black Sails was designed as a literary prequel, some of its most loved characters were versions of real life pirates who sailed the Caribbean. Zach McGowan prowls around as Charles Vane while Clara Paget and Toby Schmitz steam up the screen as Anne Bonny and Jack Rackham. In later seasons, Ray Stevenson even showed up as Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard.

Okay, but the real reason why Black Sails was so cool was its mature approach to sexuality, violence, and storytelling. Sure, the pirates are hunting for legendary gold, as pirates do; but so much of the real drama came from their personal lives. Love affairs, secret obsessions, and routine betrayals kept Black Sails an engrossing soap opera. (Did we mention already the show was full of extremely hot people?)

As Bill Hader’s famous Saturday Night Live character Stefon would put it, Black Sails has everything: real life pirates, literary pirates, a hot lesbian governor played by Bridgerton Season 3 guest star Hannah New, vicious heroes and even more ruthless villains, the idyllic South Africa standing in for the colonial Caribbean, and, oh yes, Tom Hopper’s guns.

Black Sails is probably also going to have a helluva lot more fans soon, thanks to Netflix. Will you be one of them?

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Rocket Lab to launch NASA's new solar sail technology no earlier than April 24

"Seven meters of the deployable booms can roll up into a shape that fits in your hand."

A NASA solar sail mission meant to test new space travel materials in Earth's orbit is scheduled to lift off no sooner than April 24, the space agency announced on Thursday (April 11). 

Named the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, or ACS3, the mission's primary goal is to test the deployment of solar sails using new composite booms, which are tube-shaped materials meant to unfurl and hold four very thin triangular sheets tautly. These sheets, together, form a kite-like solar sail. The ACS3 booms pull the solar sail into the size of a small apartment from a microwave-sized satellite in under 30 minutes, and are stiffer and lighter from previous technology, NASA said in a statement . The spacecraft is scheduled to launch onboard Rocket Lab 's Electron rocket from the company's launch site in Māhia, New Zealand.

Solar sails, which propel payloads by harnessing sunlight the same way sailboats use wind, have gathered momentum in recent years as affordable alternatives for conventional, chemically propelled rockets. When particles of light called photons strike a solar sail, they transfer their momentum to that sail. Although slight, such subtle pushes are consistent and can help spacecraft cruise through space , even allowing them to accelerate over time to speeds achievable with conventional rockets. Astrobiologists deem solar sails worthy in the search for alien life on Jupiter ’s moon Europa and Saturn ’s moon Enceladus , two ice-covered worlds thought to harbor conditions friendly toward life as we know it in their hidden, subsurface oceans.

Related: LightSail 2 spacecraft ends its solar-sailing mission in a blaze of glory

Although previous missions like the Planetary Society's notable LightSail 2 have already demonstrated that small spacecraft can indeed utilize solar sails to travel millions of miles and change orbits as needed, those missions used metal booms, which are heavy and could unpredictably morph thanks to sharp temperature swings known to occur in space. Meanwhile, ACS3 is four times bigger than LightSail and uses lighter booms made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer, or CFRP, which are strong enough to hold the solar sail tautly while flexible enough to fold compactly for launch, NASA said.

"Seven meters of the deployable booms can roll up into a shape that fits in your hand," Alan Rhodes, the mission's lead systems engineer at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, said in the statement. "The hope is that the new technologies verified on this spacecraft will inspire others to use them in ways we haven't even considered."

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Once the spacecraft reaches its predetermined orbit of 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) above Earth 's surface, it will begin the 25-minute process of unrolling the composite booms, which span the diagonals of the sail. Assuming all goes to plan, the mission would also test changing the spacecraft's orbit via the solar sail, a maneuver that could offer useful data for future missions, NASA said.

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Upon complete deployment, the solar sail will measure about 860 square feet (80 square meters), which is roughly as wide as six standard parking spots. The space agency predicts the solar sail will be large enough that its shiny reflective surface will sparkle above our planet as brightly as Sirius does, the brightest star in the night sky .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur.

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The Family Handyman

6 Best Patio Shade Sails to Take Cover From the Sun’s Heat in 2024

Posted: April 15, 2024 | Last updated: April 15, 2024

Colourtree Reinforced Sun Shade Ecomm Via Amazon.com

Shop on Wayfair

Best Overall Patio Shade Sail

Colourtree reinforced sun shade.

• Made of thick, long-lasting material
• Features heavy-duty mounting rings
• Available in multiple colors, shapes and sizes

The ColourTree reinforced sun shade is a fantastic covered patio idea that's sturdy, long-lasting and comes in various colors. We love its high quality and strength—come sun, rain or wind, it's not going anywhere! It features thick, high-density polyethylene fabric that doesn't fade, and has strengthening cable wires built into the edges. The corners are equipped with heavy-duty stainless steel mounting rings. This particular version measures 20 feet by 24 feet, but there are larger and smaller sizes available, as well as different shapes to perfectly fit into your outdoor space.

Artpuch Shade Sail Ecomm Via Amazon.com

Shop on Amazon

Best Budget Patio Shade Sail

Artpuch shade sail.

• Blocks up to 95% of UV rays
• Available in 11 colors and 63 sizes
• Material may not be as durable as other options

For an affordable price, you can snatch up this highly rated Artpuch patio shade sail . Don't be fooled by its bargain price, though. Amazon reviewers are just as happy with the quality as the price tag. Use the durable stainless steel D-rings to easily attach the corners to any sturdy connection point to add plenty of sun protection to your patio or rooftop deck . Available in several sizes and colors, you'll certainly find one that matches your outdoor aesthetic.

"I had one side of my house with zero shade, so not comfortable to sit outside when the was sun is blazing down. Now I have a huge area to sit in whenever I want and can get out of the wind and rain," writes Joseph Arbon , a five-star reviewer.

Coolaroo Triangle Ready To Hang Shade Sail1 Ecomm Via Amazon.com

Best portable patio shade sail, coolaroo triangle ready-to-hang shade sail.

• Includes ropes for quick hanging
• Wallet-friendly price
• Blocks up to 90% of UV rays

If you're looking to hang a temporary shade sail for a backyard barbecue , we love this triangle shade sail . Available in five sizes and 10 color options, it protects against 90% of UV rays. With the included ropes, you can hang it up easily from a wall, post or even a tree—no tools required! Then, simply untie and fold it up when you're done.

Colourtree Waterproof Shade Sail Ecomm Via Wayfair.com

Best waterproof patio shade sail, colourtree waterproof shade sail.

• Manufacturer guarantees waterproof feature
• Available in seven colors
• Installation kit sold separately

The majority of shade sails on the market allow rain to filter through to avoid pooling of water on top. But what if you want to be protected from the sun and the rain? This 12-foot waterproof shade sail from ColourTree handles both. The manufacturer guarantees no water will come through their shades and includes a three-year warranty. Just be sure to install your patio shade at an angle so the rain can run off the side.

One verified buyer, Jordan, writes, "It's definitely waterproof… to the point that it held all the water from the rain! We dumped the water out in a few minutes, and the canopy still looks good as new! We love it!"

Patio Paradise Triangle Shade Sail Ecomm Via Amazon.com

Best patio shade sail for a small space, patio paradise triangle shade sail.

• Available in 42 size options, including small ones
• Had double-layer webbing to prevent tearing
• Comes in 11 colors and patterns

For those looking to add some shade to a small patio or that awkward corner of their deck, the triangle shade sail is a solid option. It can also provide shade for a kid's sandbox area. The triangle shape allows for versatile placement, and the petite size (available as small as 2 feet by 2 feet) makes it easy to hang up on your own. Available in several colors and patterns, it's made of high-density polyethylene, which is knitted instead of woven, allowing heat and humidity to rise through the fabric and reducing ambient air temperatures below.

What to Consider When Buying a Patio Shade Sail

Best patio shade sail for a large space, quictent oversized square sun shade sail.

• Various size options, including 24 by 24 feet
• Blocks up to 98% of UV rays
• Includes heavy-duty hardware kit
• Some buyers had trouble getting the shade sail taut

Looking to add shade to a large area, such as a pool or backyard basketball court? This oversized square shade sail has you covered—literally. This option blocks up to 98% of the sun's UV rays, and is sturdy enough to hold up to wind and rain. It comes with a heavy-duty stainless steel hardware kit for you to attach the shade sail to a porch, tree, pole, roof or wall.

"We ordered this to use over our cars as a carport. This has been up for a bit now and works great. With our triple digit temps here in the South and no shade, the cars get extremely hot. With this shade over them, it has made a huge difference," shares five-star reviewer, SW .

When shopping for a patio shade sail , consider the size and shape you may need. You'll also want to consider how to mount it (you may have to purchase mounting hardware separately). In addition, depending on the material, many shade sails block harmful UV rays while some are waterproof. And, of course, budget is always something to think about.

Why You Should Trust Us

Erica and Rachel are both seasoned freelance writers. Erica has covered a number of outdoor-focused pieces including outdoor fireplace designs, outdoor kitchen island ideas, deck paint and stain colors and more. Rachel has written various product pieces for Family Handyman including unique gift ideas, propane fire pits, gazebo kits and more. Their combined expertise helped them create a focused guide on patio shade sails.

How We Found the Best Patio Shade Sails

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. To find the best patio shade sails, we started with the research and reporting basics—what the sails are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we're only recommending the buys worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the shade sale's quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we comb through user reviews to see how real people interact with the patio shade sails, and if it stands up to the test.

How do you install patio shade sails?

To install your patio shade sail, you must attach the corners to a stable structure, such as a tree, post or wall. Unless your shade sail is temporary, you'll likely want some mounting hardware, which makes it easier to pull the shade sail taut.

Do shade sails hold up in wind?

Shade sails can withstand most winds if they are installed correctly. However, if there are strong storms, extremely heavy rains or a hurricane is predicted, shade sails should be taken down as a precaution.

Does rain come through a shade sail?

Most shade sails will not prevent all water from coming through. Plus, heavy rain can make a water pool on top of it, which must be cleaned.

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Nasa next-generation solar sail boom technology ready for launch.

Tara Friesen

Nasa’s new lightweight sailor , enabling future solar sails.

Sailing through space might sound like something out of science fiction, but the concept is no longer limited to books or the big screen. In April, a next-generation solar sail technology – known as the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System – will launch aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand. The technology could advance future space travel and expand our understanding of our Sun and solar system.  

Solar sails use the pressure of sunlight for propulsion, angling toward or away from the Sun so that photons bounce off the reflective sail to push a spacecraft. This eliminates heavy propulsion systems and could enable longer duration and lower-cost missions. Although mass is reduced, solar sails have been limited by the material and structure of the booms, which act much like a sailboat’s mast. But NASA is about to change the sailing game for the future.  

The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System demonstration uses a twelve-unit (12U) CubeSat built by NanoAvionics to test a new composite boom made from flexible polymer and carbon fiber materials that are stiffer and lighter than previous boom designs. The mission’s primary objective is to successfully demonstrate new boom deployment, but once deployed, the team also hopes to prove the sail’s performance.  

Like a sailboat turning to capture the wind, the solar sail can adjust its orbit by angling its sail. After evaluating the boom deployment, the mission will test a series of maneuvers to change the spacecraft’s orbit and gather data for potential future missions with even larger sails.

“Booms have tended to be either heavy and metallic or made of lightweight composite with a bulky design – neither of which work well for today’s small spacecraft. Solar sails need very large, stable, and lightweight booms that can fold down compactly,” said Keats Wilkie, the mission’s principal investigator at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. “This sail’s booms are tube-shaped and can be squashed flat and rolled like a tape measure into a small package while offering all the advantages of composite materials, like less bending and flexing during temperature changes.”

After reaching its Sun-synchronous orbit, about 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) above Earth, the spacecraft will begin unrolling its composite booms, which span the diagonals of the polymer sail. After approximately 25 minutes the solar sail will fully deploy, measuring about 860 square feet (80 square meters) – about the size of six parking spots. Spacecraft-mounted cameras will capture the sail’s big moment, monitoring its shape and symmetry during deployment.

With its large sail, the spacecraft may be visible from Earth if the lighting conditions are just right. Once fully expanded and at the proper orientation, the sail’s reflective material will be as bright as Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

“Seven meters of the deployable booms can roll up into a shape that fits in your hand,” said Alan Rhodes, the mission’s lead systems engineer at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. “The hope is that the new technologies verified on this spacecraft will inspire others to use them in ways we haven’t even considered.”

Through NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program , successful deployment and operation of the solar sail’s lightweight composite booms will prove the capability and open the door to larger scale missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 

This boom design could potentially support future solar sails as large as 5,400 square feet (500 square meters), about the size of a basketball court, and technology resulting from the mission’s success could support sails of up to 21,500 square feet (2,000 square meters) – about half a soccer field. 

“The Sun will continue burning for billions of years, so we have a limitless source of propulsion. Instead of launching massive fuel tanks for future missions, we can launch larger sails that use “fuel” already available,” said Rhodes. “We will demonstrate a system that uses this abundant resource to take those next giant steps in exploration and science.”  

Because the sails use the power of the Sun, they can provide constant thrust to support missions that require unique vantage points, such as those that seek to understand our Sun and its impact on Earth. Solar sails have long been a desired capability for missions that could carry early warning systems for monitoring solar weather. Solar storms and coronal mass ejections can cause considerable damage on Earth, overloading power grids, disrupting radio communications, and affecting aircraft and spacecraft. 

Composite booms might also have a future beyond solar sailing: the lightweight design and compact packing system could make them the perfect material for constructing habitats on the Moon and Mars, acting as framing structures for buildings or compact antenna poles to create a communications relay for astronauts exploring the lunar surface. 

“This technology sparks the imagination, reimagining the whole idea of sailing and applying it to space travel,” said Rudy Aquilina, project manager of the solar sail mission at NASA Ames. “Demonstrating the abilities of solar sails and lightweight, composite booms is the next step in using this technology to inspire future missions.” 

NASA Ames manages the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System project and designed and built the onboard camera diagnostic system. NASA Langley designed and built the deployable composite booms and solar sail system. NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) program office based at NASA Ames and led by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), funds and manages the mission. NASA STMD’s Game Changing Development program developed the deployable composite boom technology. Rocket Lab USA, Inc of Long Beach, California is providing launch services. NanoAvionics is providing the spacecraft bus.   

Related Terms

Ames Research Center

• Langley Research Center
• Small Spacecraft Technology Program

Space Technology Mission Directorate

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