Viking Drakkar sails

[toms10]

Hi MSW,

I am starting to research and think about the sail on my scratch built Drakkar. I noticed that many of the various drawings and pictures show the sail with reef points. I was under the impression the idea of reefing a sail did not come about until hundreds of years later. 
 

i don’t believe there is any evidence or actual sails from the viking era to verify. The only thing that might show something is a piece of viking art depicting a sail. 
 

i like the look of the reef points on the sail but don’t want to put them on if they are unrealistic. Does anyone out there have any information one way or the other?

 

Thanks

Tom

[Knocklouder]

Hi Tom, I would contact @Louie da fly that man know all about these things.

Bob M    

[wefalck]

There have been no sails preserved from that period and all reconstructions are based on incisions on grave- or memorial stones. The interpretations vary considerably and different options have been tried out on replicas in order to understand what the most likely interpretation could be.

 

I would check the publications coming out of Roskilde museum.

[toms10]

Here is question #2 about viking sails or any other sail with an insignia on it. Does the insignia get put on both sides of the sail or just the front side facing the bow?  I believe it is only on the front side similar to what I have seen on 18th century Spanish warships.
Below is a color pencil rendition of what I would like to put on my current drakkar build. Again, I believe it is only on the front side but I just wanted to see if the expert talent pool out in MSW land agreed. 

Thanks for any input,

Tom

[Knocklouder]

Hello, I am no expert  but yes paint the white and red strips, both sides  then your dragon. That's how I did mine, green first then the two headed Dragon.  Good luck.

Bob  M

sorry just on the front side lol..

Edited December 11 by Knocklouder