Eight Bells: Steve Haarstick

Steve Haarstick

Sailmaking pioneer Steve Haarstick, 82, crossed the fleet for the final time on October 8, 2024. Steve was an avid Star sailor, beginning in 1959. It was a combination of his love for the Star and a strong engineering background that led Steve to a career as a sailmaker.

Steve earned his undergraduate engineering degree from Trinity College in 1964. In the fall of 1964, Steve started his year master’s thesis at Stevens Institute; 3-years of wind tunnel, sail testing (this, while he was wait-listed at MIT).

Steve immersed himself in sail design, cloth testing, and wind-tunnel testing, all in hope of becoming a better Star sailor.

He started his sailmaking career with Hard Sails in the summer of 1964. As an engineer, it wasn’t long before he started applying the latest technologies to the design and then the cutting of sails. In 1969, Steve moved to Ithaca, NY to run the Hard-McPherson sail loft. In the spring of 1970, Haarstick Sailmakers was founded.

Steve’s application of technology to the sailmaking industry led to many firsts. In 1974, Steve was instrumental in bringing the world its first computer cut sails (the Laser Class). The same year, he developed his own CAD program for cutting sails. He also employed rigorous cloth-testing to ensure that each sail was built to and performed exactly to specification.

Steve’s sailmaking empire grew from there, with lofts in Rochester, NY; Burlington, VT; Annapolis, MD; and North Kingstown, RI.

Those that knew him would be the first to tell you that Steve was Brilliant (capital “B”). They would also tell you that Steve could be prickly as well. It was all what made Steve who he was.

In the Spring of 2015, Steve sold Haarstick Sailmakers to Kris Werner who rebranded the Rochester, NY loft as Quantum Sails of Rochester. Steve then retired with his dog to Chesapeake Bay and ultimately landed in Reston, VA. Even after retirement, he continued to build his very large model ships and even took time to relax.

Steve leaves behind a son, Chris; daughter-in-law Hilary, and two grandchildren Susie and Erin. A celebration of life will be held in Nov. Details to follow.

Godspeed Steve!