LOAD PATH TECHNOLOGY. Today's modern sails are expertly crafted to the highest standards of detail and precision, thus being capable to contend with harsh conditions far better than sails used long ago. The original sail on this 2009 T2C had a little under 500 hours before it de-laminated. ( 1 customer review) $ 3.29 sq/ft. Cotton-based sailcloth is strong, but it's much heavier than synthetic materials. Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Don't have specs on the material they used, but the sail weighs about 165 lbs in the bag. The resulting PX Line is available in two options: as a racing Scrim version (film on both sides) or with a one-sided laminated taffeta fabric for . In addition to its ease-of-handling, Dacron sails are reluctant to become waterlogged in bad weather. The ultimate laminate sail would be what are now called membrane or string sails. Dacron is superior to canvas for several reasons. Oops! Aramid fibers are lightweight, have high resistance to stretch and high breaking strength. Same specifications as the Elite 33, stronger frame and chain. Individualization. The remaining fibers are incorporated into a fabric in two basic ways; more on this in a moment. For a mainsail, Adam Loory recommends "a full-batten sail made of Dacron. These sails have a composite structure. I had two laminate sails that suffered terribly from tears at the edge of a poorly installed UV cover. Ripstop 0.75 oz. It is highly likely that the earliest sailboat sails were fashioned from animal skins, used on raft-like craft and dating back as far as 3300 BCE. Spectra/Dyneema also suffers very little in flex and exhibits the best performance regarding UV exposure. Width: 150 cm. Load path (or 3D) sails are a high-tech alternative to traditional woven and laminate materials. Decks Material. Just cut, peel and stick. Popularity of cotton sails soon caught fire worldwide in 1851, shortly after a United States racing yacht by the name of America soundly defeated a fleet of British yachts in competition (at the time, an unheard of feat). It's durable, affordable, and extremely easy to work with. This is an example of what a laminate sail looks like. This laminate comes in four styles. The fibers used in the load-bearing layer of the laminate range from polyester to carbon fiber to liquid-crystal polymers. Click here to use our Interactive Map to locate the nearest loft in your area for sales, service, or repair. A fully integrated and powerful computer code controls the entire . All the above examples are of sails built with rolled goods i.e. Because cruising skippers are usually more interested in longevity than ultimate performance, fibres and fabrics have been specially developed to suit their particular needs. However, you will find a few trioptimal . Description. In the United States, sailcloth weight is measured in ounces. First, the fibres buried between the laminates are virtually uncrimped (not woven in and out), so theres little or no intitial stretch in taking up the crimp. In addition to price, other criteria sailors should consider are durability, over time or miles; ease of handling when flaking; in some instances, the sails weight (can the owner, if necessary, move it around on deck? Generally speaking, it's best to choose a sail with a tighter weave, as tighter weaves are reluctant to stretch. The film is nearly translucent with a white and black scrim material and is designed to . Eventually, this method would later be replaced with cotton sails for its improved quality and canvas. But lets start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. They improve on woven polyesters in three ways. A spread filament tape is an individual yarn that has been spread out until the individual filaments lie side-by-side; forming an ultra-thin tape. This exclusive technology enables 3Di sails to be made from fiber and adhesive onlywithout the need for Mylar film. It essentially involves stitching together horizontal panels of cloth that are stacked from the foot to the head. Dyneema sails can last in excess of 50,000 miles, miles that will have been sailed considerably faster and with more enjoyment than with old fashioned polyester. Colours: White, Red, Dark blue By doing your due diligence to first understand the intricacies involved in deciding upon the proper type of sailboat sail, you can be fully prepared to find the perfect fit regardless of what variety of sailing you may be interested in. When I looked at sailcloth weights, the thing that . The boat also takes less of a beating and is more enjoyable to sail. Hot Pink 60" Nylon . There is a wide spectrum of carbon fiber materials that exist for, Sails are also grouped by function, such as summer or tropical. Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Laminated sails include multiple components and different layers of material. 320 litres. That's why developers decided to create new type of sails - laminate sails. The Australian 12-Meter Southern Cross tried using Kevlar fibers laminated to film and built as a crosscut sail before the 1974 Americas Cup. SwellPro SplashDrone 4 Review (Is It Worth It?). Notions. Laminated sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. Foam . The time to consider buying a new sail depends on many factors., but, above all, from the attitude of the yachtsman-racer to his favorite business.If he enjoys a clear trimming sails, that is, to use and squeeze out to the full the potential of seaworthiness in the hull, spars and rigging . Kevlar is costly and worth considering for racing sailboats and offshore cruisers. It all started with our extremely successful PX Polyester warp oriented fabrics. High Aspect is. These innovations have created an exclusive line of sail materials ranging from woven polyester, racing, and cruising laminates to 3Di composites. IMHO laminates are the way to go for both cruising and racing. However, serious offshore Cruisers often upgrade to laminated sails such as Kevlar, Pentax, and Dyneema. Modern synthetic fibers make up the vast majority of sail fabrics in use today, and there are configurations tailored to every kind of sail and sailboat on the water. Secondly the fibres used are less stretchy than the base fibres used in a polyester product. Taffeta, a woven polyester fabric consisting of small-diameter fibers, is glued onto the Mylar filmsometimes on one side, sometimes on both, depending on the sails intended use. (you can usually see those easily and they give away the fabric as a laminate construction). Essentially, continuous fibers are glued down on a Mylar film in computer-generated paths engineered to handle the loads placed on the sail. As sails are used, they eventually tend to show signs of wear that include stretching in high load sections. A band-aid patch uses a piece of cloth with adhesive backing and applies it to the damaged area on both sides of the sail and then is usually stitched down. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. The quality of the Dacron is governed by the tenacity of the yarn used and the tightness of the weave. While carbon fiber clearly ranks at the very top of available materials in terms of performance, its main detriment is the high degree of degradation it suffers due to flexing when compared with materials such as polyester. How Many People Can Fit On A Pontoon Boat? A Bonnier LLC Company. Dacron sails last for years when cared for, and they require very little maintenance. Different sailmaking styles and cloths are evident in this trio of racing and cruising boats under way. Reviews Write a review. How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? Sailboat sails are constructed from a variety of materials and fabrics, each with their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Cost-effectiveness is one very common consideration, measuring both the initial price of the sail, as well as how expensive it can be over the course of time. The fibers from which sailboat sails are made could include any number of natural or synthetic materials, that can range from cotton, flax, or hemp, to polyester, nylon, and more. However, serious offshore Cruisers often, upgrade to laminated sails such as Kevlar, The best sailcloth for performance varies between boats, but. Better glues and application methods, and the introduction of taffeta, largely addressed these two problems. Since our inception, North Sails has consistently delivered industry-changing advances in sailmaking technology, developing new materials to fit the needs of a wide range of boats and types of sailing. Storm sails are rarely used and often stored in damp places, conditions which rapidly deteriorate laminated and Kevlar sails. Our perfectionist level of control ensures the highest possible quality laminated materials. Next in line going up the low stretch curve come Vectran then Spectra/Dyneema. For casual cruising, it's difficult to go wrong with good old Dacron. . Avoid flaking or folding laminate sails on the same fold line each time they are put away. 2. Two fundamental ways exist to make the laminate sail fabric. Generally speaking, in terms of durability, most sailmakers assume that three to five years is a reasonable life span for laminated sails, though many have clients whove gotten many more years of service. The first Dacron (Polyester) was developed in the 50's and this is still the most popular material for sails today. Even more variations of sails exist within the categories already mentioned, such as panelled sails which are a unique variety of laminate sail. NYLON: First produced in 1938, nylon is the first completely synthetic fiber developed. It's stronger and longer-lasting than traditional sailcloth, and it has been perfected over the last several decades. Storm sails are rarely used and often stored in damp places, conditions which rapidly deteriorate laminated and Kevlar sails. 4. When the sail is trimmed correctly the leeward . Suggested Grid: - Black Aramid Tri-radial cut. All rights reserved. The base sail or skin is constructed using a light and "flex friendly" laminate sail material, assembled with horizontal panels and shaping seams. Finally, as you pointed out, fabric covers on laminate sails are a problem. Deciding upon the right one usually depends on what type of sailboat you are using or your reason for sailing. As the sail ages however, it can give way to a change in shape as a result of permanent elongation with sustained use. The sail can be cut crosscut, tri-radial, or bi-radial, just like any other. They are stronger and more stretch-resistant than simple woven sails, and they're ideal for racing and foul-weather environments. Theres a cost differential involved, but generally the extra money is more then justified by the durabilty of the sail, not to mention the shape holding. We sourced the information for this article from sailcloth manufacturers, sailors, and sail repair experts. As a result, gone are the days where delamination was the rule rather than the exception, and today, assuming quality laminates are used, you can be reasonably sure that even sophisticated sails will last a long time and give excellent service as well. Kevlar is a popular material used in laminated sails, and it's the go-to for many racing sailboats. The most popular type of sailcloth is Dacron. Different sailmakers use proprietary techniques to unite the glue, the fiber, and the film as a working sail. Laminate Sail Tape . All the above laminates are covered on each side by a lightweight taffeta. Roll Laminating Machines; Pouch & Desktop Laminating Machines; Xyron Laminators Historically, laminated sails of any construction method were usually replaced when the fibers delaminated from the film or the film itself broke down. This makes it a sought-after choice for those involved in racing or simply anyone looking for a tight and accurate response. Obviously, high-tenacity Dacron makes better cruising sails. Laminates are lighter than woven sails and have a higher modulus. With laminate sails, there are many more components to the cloth, and sailmakers market their products under different names, which can be confusing. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Laminated sails include multiple components and different layers of material. 3. In addition, there is a specialized fabric called taffeta thats used to provide chafe protection to the Mylar, as Mylar alone isnt particularly durable and doesnt respond well to chafe or sunlight. Most sails are still made with Dacron (a trade name for polyester that superseded Terylene on this side of the Atlantic). (Crimp refers to the S-curves caused by the weaving process.) Life safe Sail Bandage. Our Apen Racing laminates made with ZigZag yarn technology enable you to have a sail made of radial panels that matches the modern rigging of your dinghy or yacht. Find one you trust. The difference lies in the way the sail will hold its profile as well as in the enhanced performance of your yacht. Type: - POLYESTER The higher up the low stretch/load path alignment curve you go, the more durable and low stretch the sail. Dacron: Dacron is the generic name given to the DuPont yarn made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is a popular choice for cruising sails because of its overall lifespan and reasonable cost. Mylar Repair Tape: This is a transparent, high clarity UV and saltwater resistant tape for repairs to sail windows and mylar sails. The point to remember is that if youre in the market for a sail, remember that the sailcloth in a triradial sail and the sailcloth in a crosscut sail are woven differently and arent interchangeable. The best sailcloth for offshore cruising is difficult to choose. Oops! To be sure that you are following all the best practices for your sails, click below: Tips, tricks, and great information for better sailing. Choosing the right sailcloth can be challenging, as there are numerous options on the market today. The outer layer which forms the body and profile of the sail is made of stronger but flexible material (laminate proper) while the inner layer consists of more elastic fibers which can withstand . This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. One of the most UV resistant forms of sailboat sails available on the market comes from those manufactured using carbon fiber, which is virtually unaffected whatsoever by the sun's powerful and potentially damaging rays. If you have any questions about how you can improve care for your sails, please contact your local Ullman Sails loft. Since Mylar accounted for most of the sail material, it took much of the blame. Since the 1950s, the default material for cruising sails has been Dacron sailcloth. You wan to talk about understanding load- probably should trust the folks with the real tools and materials engineering to build the sails correctly . Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI. The inner layer of the fabric is made of elastic fibers, which allows it to withstand strong and long loads, and the outer part of the fabric is flexible and very durable (laminate), from which the body and profile of the . The full-length battens on this multihull main support a massive roach. This is further enhanced by the tri-radial with the sophisticated "step down . Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. In the least expensive laminates the base fibre used is polyester, the fabric enjoying lower stretch than woven polyester because of the lack of crimp. Understanding Laminate Sail Materials. Currently, there are eight different fibers used in sailmaking: carbon fiber, Spectra/Dyneema, Twaron, Technora, Kevlar, Vectran, polyester, and Pentax (which is basically Dacron on steroids). And load-path sails are considerably lighter than laminate sails built with other methods. Why is this important? Dacron withstands exposure to the elements and high-wind flogging better than any other sail material, providing the greatest longevity of any sail. Shop Now. If youre in the market for a new sail, you need to understand the various options available, both in types of sail materials and in sail design, so you can pose the right questions to your sailmaker and understand their recommendations before purchasing. Width: 150 cm. The durable crosscut laminate sails use a scrim of Spectra fibers with carbon tapes and panels that are glued together. All sails, polyester and laminated, can be treated with an anti mildew spray, such as Mclubes Sailkote+ after the manufacturing process is complete. Anyhow, thats where laminated fabrics come in. Appearance. Long having been replaced by stronger fibers when it comes to racing and performance, it remains a highly coveted option due to its resistance to abrasion and very low cost. An Oyster 485 (middle) makes tracks upwind under sails from North Sails that are built with the companys new Radian warp-oriented Dacron sailcloth. External Structural Skin PET, short for polyethylene terephthalate, is the number-one most common fiber used in the world of sailing today. This sail is built of laminated panels assembled in a radial pattern. . The most common types of sailcloth weave are the D4 Load Path weave, the DCX Dacron weave, the square weave, the Hydra Net weave, and the C-Breeze weave. Most of the used sail market consists of woven polyester, a material known for being affordable, durable, and reliable. The use of cotton as sail material had its advantages over flax and hemp, but not without its own set of unique drawbacks. Discuss the pros and cons of each with your sailmaker before placing an order. A close up of a Velcro clew strap This narrow tape is perfect for holding polyester sails. High-tenacity fiber is superior for sails in every category, but it costs more, which is why theres a wide discrepancy in price between low-tenacity Dacron sailcloth and its high-quality counterpart. After all, weve all missed a tide or been too late for last orders. -, {{product.productPrice.formattedPriceMax}}. If you use best practices with regards to laminate sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or take you to countless harbors. Sails are made from a wide variety of fabrics, from natural fibers, such as flax, hemp, and cotton in various forms of sails canvas to synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, aramids, laminate and carbon fibers. Film colour: Transparent. Used sail materials Woven polyester. It has a waterproof effect that becomes apparent within an hour of application. . Not surprisingly aramids are often the fiber of choice for racing sails, and can also be viable in laminated cruising sails, when properly protected from excess UV and flexing. Clearly visible: thinner fabric around the luff. Extremely Durable. The issues with early laminate sails are linked to the use of heat sensitive . Thanks to the way these fabrics are manufactured and treated, the impeccably smooth surface allowed nearly no air whatsoever to escape through pores or holes in the material. . . Zestimate Home Value: $305,000. Dyneema is one example of a widely known and used proprietary fabric, produced by Dutch firm DSM, and is growing in popularity both as a standalone fabric in its own right as well as a supportive material when combined with carbon. It also isn't uncommon to find companies that offer products developed from a combination of materials, such as those developed from aramid-kevlar or numerous other custom-made fabrics. This is the price sailmakers pay. North Sails has been manufacturing exclusive cloth in our Sri Lanka facility since 2010. Red Orange: Reddish Orange with black fibers . Our machine was designed by our own materials engineers and purpose-built for laminating sailcloth. Spinnakers All Purpose. Your sailmaker can provide more information. 40 g/m. 3730 Sail Dr , New Port Richey, FL 34652-5761 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $259,900. Colours: White, Red, Dark blue Sold under the"Dacron" moniker in the U.S. and by the name "Terylene" in the U.K., these new sails were able to keep their shape for years at a time - a stark contrast to the previously used cotton equivalent. Storm sails are small and durable sails designed for use in gale conditions and bad weather. ft.). Developed for either the use as light upwind sails or as medium to heavy air reaching sail, the popularity of the once developed for offshore racing fabrics are now gaining in popularity in CZ Silver incorporates our proprietary non-reflective film to achieve a slicker, more flexible surface to facilitate roller furling. Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Hull Material. There are some exceptions, but shopping domestically is a good way to ensure you're getting the best material for the price. For example, laminate sails which are constructed from multiple layers of film glued together, are able to withstand extremely high wind speeds and are also very resistant to damage from the sun's UV rays. This repair is common for small holes and tears and is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails. With the film spread flat on a floor, the fibers are overlaid onto the Mylar sheet. For a sail made of cross-cut Dacron costing 1,000, a tri-radial Pentex laminate is 1,300, a tri-radial Dyneema is 2,000 and a Dyneema membrane 2,400. Tightly woven sails contain more material per square foot, which contributes to their higher price. The resulting PX Line is available in two options: as a racing Scrim version (film on both sides) or with a one-sided laminated taffeta fabric for even longer durability. Are you saying that if both sails were equally well designed and assembled, the expected performance would be equal? $11.44 per yard, 54" wide. Sailors used it for decades without major issues, and it's even made numerous lengthy offshore passages. {{#pushedProductsPlacement4.length}} Ocean Navigator December 21, 2011. 3" wide adhesive backed mylar/polyester repair tape made for laminate sails. Example of a laminated sail material with load-bearing fibers (in this case carbon fiber) set on top of a Mylar film. LAMINATE: Fabric constructed from layers of film, scrim and/or taffeta flued together under high pressure and/or heat to form a composite sail material. Contender Cruising laminates made with ZigZag yarn technology enable you to have a radial cut sail that matches the modern rigging of your yacht. Sailcloth materials. Since its launch in 1997, the magazine has sealed its reputation for essential sailing information and advice. The best sailcloth for offshore cruising is difficult to choose. For the most part, load-path sails feel smoother. 30 feet per roll. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Industry standards vary widely between countries, and a small price variation could be the difference between a high-quality sail and a fragile mistake. (866) 342-SAIL, 2023 Life of SailingEmail: contact@lifeofsailing.comAddress: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy. Something went wrong while submitting the form. {{#i!=(product.specData.length-1)}} (And What's Right For You). Other materials, such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, Spectra, Technora, and Vectran, are also common in some applications. There are also fiber path and membrane sails, which each employee specific production in manufacturing techniques to achieve a consistent and reliable bond. Do not use solvents or cleaning agents on sails without professional guidance. The simple answer is that Dacron is the most durable fabric in absolute terms and that the radial-construction option can accommodate the higher loads placed upon larger or more performance-oriented sails. The type and density of the weave determine the weight, durability, and stretching characteristics of the sail. Available Fibers: - High Modulus Polyester The fibers from which sailboat sails are made could include any number of natural or synthetic materials, that can range from cotton, flax, or hemp, to polyester, nylon, and more. Call us on +44 (0)1255 243366 or email sails@dolphin-sails.com There are various types of sailcloth and sail material that can be used for your sails. The materials used in laminate and composite sails can stretch between five and eight times less than polyester yarn depending on the material, according to Flynn. Sailcloth comes in numerous synthetic materials, arrangements, weights, and weaves. Suggested Grid: - Polyester have shown extremely impressive efficiency. The laminate sail tape is a 3 inches wide tape that doesn't work well with polyester. Kevlar is the other material that comes to mind when considering popular sail cloths. On the other hand, the warpthe thread thats woven through the fillmight measure a couple of hundred feet in length. Their performance is better right out of the bag. Double External Taffeta Sailcloths can be constructed in numerous ways, but are typically either woven or pressed together in a film of some sort (such as a laminate). But as boats got larger and more performance orientedand their sails became highly loaded sailmakers and cloth manufacturers developed and used fabrics that could better retain their shape. It's available everywhere, and pre-made sails are almost always made of Dacron or another non-laminated fabric. Storm sails are made of thicker material compared to standard sails, as durability is the primary concern. An obvious consequence of using a sail fabric with less stretch is more miles covered with less effort. $22.95 /YD. These early attempts at laminated sails proved to be unreliablethey were prone to break without noticeand were never used in competition. The jib contains some older repairs using this material. 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate fully battened mainsail 66m2 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate furling headsail Price: $4,779. Today we control every aspect of the cloth manufacturing processes using our experience to ensure the highest quality products for both cruising and racing applications. Jul 21, 2022 | By Ralph. Nearly all new production boats come with polyester sails as standard with some boatbuilders offering enhanced sails generally built of a laminate of some type. DP makes a few sailcloths with Lite Skin as the exposed part of the finished product. And, of course, a new suit of sails should be able to withstand the occasional Uh-oh moment and have the ability to be regularly reefed and still retain proper shape, which is imperative. 7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat >>, Can You Live On A Sailboat Year Round? This additional layer of fabric increases the overall weight of the sail, however, many cruisers find the increase of longevity offsets the additional weight aloft. We wont go into the finer points of how a polyester sail works under load, but suffice it to say that by the nature of any woven fabric theres an initial crimp takeup that, combined with the relatively high stretch of the polyester fibres themselves, gives a sail thats durable but stretchy. Following on the success of the ZZ Black aramid laminates, the ZZ Polyester (ZZP) styles incorporate the same formed scrim and insertion technology to create a range of fabrics Our asymmetrical Maxx concept has evolved further in a technically sophisticated range of laminates for cross-cut applications. The laminate is designed in a range of weights and strengths according to boat size up to 50 feet. Laminate Repair Tape is an adhesive-backed repair tape for laminate racing sails. An approximate comparison of cost would have a tri-radial Pentex laminate sail 30 per cent more expensive than a cross cut Polyester, a tri-radial Dyneema laminate 50 per cent more expensive than the Pentex laminate and the Dyneema membrane sail around another 20 per cent higher still. Each individual yarn is laid directly along the anticipated load paths which is a very efficient way of building a sail . These fibers are woven and manufactured in many different ways, as modern sail making techniques have made it possible to adapt synthetic fibers to both high and low-stress environments. I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. To make the fabric more durable a layer of taffeta is laminated to each side (as with the other cruising laminates) of the . Mohawk Flooring. SwellPro SplashDrone 4 Review (Is It Worth It?). Flex strength is a term used to indicate the capability of a given sail (and the material from which it's made) to maintain its strength after having been folded back and forth throughout the course of normal use. However, sailmakers realized the potential, and since then, building sails using several versions of laminated fabric has become the default fabrication method for racing and high-performance sails. Extended the life of my non-racing sails by years. Double Internal Taffeta Nylon can be very durable, while also offering a formidable amount of protection against UV rays. Sailors have many things to consider when contemplating the purchase of new sails, especially laminated ones, but there are a few things to remember.
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