Incidence Sails
Incidence Sails is a French sailmaker (founded 1988) that designs and manufactures custom sails for cruising, racing, offshore, classic, and superyacht segments. The world's second-largest sailmaker operates 8 sites across France and Spain, serving shipyards, professional racers, and individual boat owners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersPérigny, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Incidence Sails does
Incidence Sails is a French sailmaker founded in 1988 through the merger of Voile Système (La Rochelle) and Voiles Cudennec (Brest). The company designs and manufactures custom sails for seven distinct programs — long-distance cruising, fast cruising/racing, inshore regattas, offshore racing, classic yachts, superyachts, and wind-assisted cargo vessels. Headquartered in Périgny (La Rochelle area), Incidence operates eight locations (six across mainland France plus Martinique in the Caribbean and Palma de Mallorca in Spain) with a 10,000 m² production footprint, four design offices, and a group headcount of approximately 200 people. According to a 2026 Les Echos article, the company ranks as the world's second-largest sailmaker, behind a leading American competitor.
The company's core technology asset is its in-house membrane manufacturing capability through its wholly-owned Incidence Technologies R&D division. Incidence is one of only two sailmakers in the world to produce its own filamentary membranes, with a proprietary product family spanning DFi Race (inshore racing), DFi Offshore (ocean racing, equipping IMOCA, ULTIM, Ocean Fifty, and Class40 classes), DFi Explore (cruising/superyacht, available in multiple colors), and DFi Aero (lightweight gennakers/Code 0). The D4 membrane was acquired in 2013, making Incidence the first French sailmaker to manufacture its own membranes. Strong Luff technology — continuous filaments from clew to head along the luff — is unique to Incidence. Standard sail ranges cover Dacron cruising sails, Code 0, Genoas, Spinnakers, and Gennakers.
Incidence generates revenue primarily through one-time custom sail sales with quote-based pricing for high-performance membrane sails (8-10 week lead time) and unit pricing for standard sails (Code 0 from €3,064 to €4,006, accessories from €288 to €907). Terms require a 50% deposit at order and balance before shipping (ex-works). Go-to-market combines direct sales through physical locations staffed by technically-trained former sailors, online quote requests with 48-hour turnaround, and an international partner sail loft network. Customer mix is diversified across shipyard OEM partnerships (CNB, Fountaine Pajot, Lagoon, IDB Marine, MMW), professional offshore racing teams (Vendée Globe, Solitaire du Figaro, Route du Rhum, Jules Verne Trophy), and a long tail of cruising/recreational customers. Reported annual revenue is €23 million (2026).
Incidence Sails firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Incidence Sails
- Legal name
- INCIDENCE SAILS
- Website
- https://incidence-sails.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Incidence Sails is a French sailmaker (founded 1988) that designs and manufactures custom sails for cruising, racing, offshore, classic, and superyacht segments. The world's second-largest sailmaker operates 8 sites across France and Spain, serving shipyards, professional racers, and individual boat owners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Incidence Sails industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Sail Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sailing & Rigging Retail (Sailboats, Sails, Hardware) (CRAMAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)
Keywords
Where Incidence Sails is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Périgny
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
Incidence Sails business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Sail Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of custom sails for cruising and racing boats, from standard Dacron sails to high-performance membrane sails. Orders include 50% deposit at order signature with balance before shipping.
- Sail Accessories and Spare Parts: Sale of accessories including sail socks, lazy bags, and replacement parts for sails.
- Used/Discounted Sails: Sale of new and used sails at discounted prices through clearance section, including Code 0, Genoas, and accessories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Dacron Sails |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Code 0 Sails |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cruising Sails (Promotional) |
| Quote-based/ custom | Pay-as-you-go | Custom High-Performance Membrane Sails |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Incidence Sails product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Incidence Sails designs, manufactures, and markets custom sails for ocean racing, offshore cruising, and superyachts using proprietary membrane technology. The company operates six sail-loft sites in France and one in Spain, offering end-to-end sail design, production, repair, and maintenance services to professional racers, shipyards, and individual sailors.
Product overview
Incidence Sails is the leading French sailmaker and one of the world's largest, operating as part of the Incidence Group alongside Technique Voile and Delta Voiles brands. The company offers custom-made sails for cruising, offshore racing, classic yachts, and superyachts, with in-house manufacturing from R&D to finishing. The product portfolio centers on proprietary membrane technologies developed by Incidence Technologies, including the DFi® family (DFi® Race, DFi® Offshore, DFi® Explore, DFi® Aero), D4 membrane, and Strong Luff technology. Sail types include Code 0, Genoa/Jib, Spinnakers, Gennakers, and Classic sails. The company maintains full internal control of production across 6 sites in France and international partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Technique Voile: Brand of the Incidence Group focused on sail manufacturing for pleasure boating and IRC racing segments.
- Delta Voiles
- Incidence Technologies
Products and services
- Custom Ocean Racing Sails
- DFi Membrane Sails
- D4 Membrane Sails
- Strong Luff Sails
- Code 0 Sails
- Spinnakers and Gennakers
- Classic Sails
- Technique Voile Cruising Sails
- Delta Voiles Used and Discounted Sails
- Sail Loft Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 4 victories in the Vendée Globe, 6 Jules Verne Trophies, 6 Route du Rhum victories
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Incidence Sails
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Incidence Sails technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Incidence Sails partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and flagship.
- International Professional SailmakerscoreIncidence has established partnerships with professional sail lofts worldwide to provide service and support to customers globally. Click on the map on their website to view partner locations.
- Milan KolacekregionalFormer Mini and Figaro racer who has been the representative of Incidence Sails in the Czech Republic for two years.
- VELAflagshipVELA is developing a new generation of 100% wind-powered international maritime transport. Incidence designed and manufactured a 600m² DFi membrane mainsail for their 60+ meter trimaran cargo vessel, marking a new dimension for the DFi technology in commercial maritime transport.
- CNB (Construction Navale Bordeaux)coreLong-term partnership with major French shipyard CNB for supply of sails on new construction yachts.
- Fountaine PajotcorePartnership with leading catamaran manufacturer Fountaine Pajot for sails on new construction.
- LagooncorePartnership with major catamaran builder Lagoon for new construction sail supply.
- IDB MarinecorePartnership with JPK boat manufacturer for racing sail programs.
- MMWcorePartnership with Multi50 manufacturer for competitive racing programs.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Incidence Sails competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North Sails: World's largest sailmaker and Incidence's primary direct competitor across cruising, racing, and offshore sailing segments. Both companies design and manufacture custom sails, compete for the same IMOCA/ULTIM/Class40 racing teams, and offer proprietary membrane technologies. North Sails is the established #1 globally that Incidence is positioned as #2 against.
- Quantum Sails: Major global sailmaker offering custom membrane and Dacron sails across cruising, racing, and offshore programs. Directly competes with Incidence for racing team contracts, superyacht orders, and cruising customers worldwide, with overlapping proprietary membrane programs and global loft network.
- Doyle Sails: New Zealand-origin sailmaker with a global network of lofts serving racing and cruising markets. Competes directly with Incidence in IRC, offshore, and superyacht sail supply, with proprietary membrane technologies (Doyle Stratis) and an overlapping customer base in international racing circuits.
- Ullman Sails: U.S.-headquartered sailmaker with international loft network offering custom cruising and racing sails including proprietary membrane products. Direct competitor in IRC, one-design, and offshore racing programs serving comparable customer profiles to Incidence.
- UK Sailmakers: International sailmaking franchise with lofts in North America, Europe, and Asia producing custom cruising and racing sails. Overlaps with Incidence in mid-market cruising sail supply and entry-level racing segments, with comparable service-led direct-sales business model.
- Hood Sailmakers: Long-established U.S. sailmaker with a network of independent lofts producing cruising and racing sails. Direct peer in mid-market cruising sail supply and classic yacht segments, with overlapping service-led custom manufacturing model.
- One Sails: European and international sailmaker group producing custom cruising and racing sails with proprietary membrane technology (OneTLX, 4T Forte). Competes with Incidence in Mediterranean and European cruising/racing markets with comparable technical and GTM approach.
Others
- Dimension-Polyant: Leading sailcloth and membrane substrate manufacturer that supplies materials to many sailmakers including (historically) competitors to Incidence. Adjacent ecosystem participant as a sailcloth supplier rather than a direct competitor in finished sail assembly.
Regional players
- Hyde Sails: UK-based sailmaker with strong presence in British and Northern European dinghy, keelboat, and offshore racing markets. Overlaps with Incidence in IRC and one-design racing supply, but operates primarily in a different geographic territory.
- Elvstrøm Sails: Danish sailmaker with strong Northern European presence in cruising and offshore racing sail segments. Comparable custom manufacturing capabilities and membrane technology programs, primarily competing in Scandinavian and Northern European markets where Incidence has limited direct footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Incidence Sails social profiles
Digital presenceIncidence Sails financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Incidence Sails leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Incidence Sails subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Incidence Sails funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Incidence Sails M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Incidence Sails
What does Incidence Sails do?
Incidence Sails designs, manufactures, and markets custom sails for ocean racing, offshore cruising, and superyachts using proprietary membrane technology. The company operates six sail-loft sites in France and one in Spain, offering end-to-end sail design, production, repair, and maintenance services to professional racers, shipyards, and individual sailors.
Is Incidence Sails a public or private company?
Incidence Sails is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Incidence Sails founded?
Incidence Sails was founded in 1988. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Incidence Sails based?
Incidence Sails is headquartered in Périgny, France, in the Europe region.
How does Incidence Sails make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Sail Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are sail Accessories and Spare Parts and used/Discounted Sails.
Who are Incidence Sails's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North Sails, Quantum Sails, Doyle Sails, Ullman Sails, UK Sailmakers, Hood Sailmakers and One Sails. Dimension-Polyant is listed as an others. Regional players are Hyde Sails and Elvstrøm Sails.
Does Incidence Sails have an API?
No public API is recorded for Incidence Sails.
What industry is Incidence Sails in?
Incidence Sails's product category is Marine Sail Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAIAG, Sailing & Rigging Retail (Sailboats, Sails, Hardware), with a secondary code of THAJAJAG, Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails). Its NAICS code is 336612 and its SIC code is 3730.