The original sail on this 2009 T2C had a little under 500 hours before it de-laminated. Dacron sails are made from polyester fiber, which exhibits two primary sets of engineering properties: either high or low tenacity. A fully integrated and powerful computer code controls the entire laminating process. Proper sourcing is key to choosing the right sailcloth. Double External Taffeta In the heavier weights of the Spectra/Dyneema fabrics the taffetas themselves are Spectra/Dyneema adding yet more durability and contributing to lower stretch. The Australian 12-Meter Southern Cross tried using Kevlar fibers laminated to film and built as a crosscut sail before the 1974 Americas Cup. Laminate materials may be bolstered by compounds such as carbon. Laminate sail. At North, the Mylar film is still cut and glued together, but its then laid onto the mold, a huge articulating machine thats programmed to assume the same shape as the finished sail. Water. Even with the taffeta, the laminate sail should be lighter than a dacron sail designed for the same wind range. Different sailmakers use proprietary techniques to unite the glue, the fiber, and the film as a working sail. Available Skins: - Film on Film (Mylar) From the consumers perspective, panel configuration, for the most part, is a low priority, although there may be a small price difference among them. Norths proprietary automated tape laying system allows designers precise control over the placement and orientation of material within each sail. Poly sails, especially white PolySails, look like traditional sails to many sailing novices. Laminated sailcloth is a higher-quality alternative to materials such as Dacron. The whole sail is then pressurized and heated in much the same way as a hull or spar is produced in an autoclave. One of the most common choices is nylon, which is usually quite cheap, fairly lightweight, and boasts a surprising amount of strength. Laminated sails are made by combining a load-carrying fiber (e.g., polyester, aramid, Spectra/Dyneema, carbon, or a mix) with a laminate (e.g., Mylar film). Recently, Challenge Sailcloth developed a Dacron product for use in radial-panel layout. The laminated sail fabric of claim 1 wherein said warp strands are composed of a material selected from the group consisting of aramids, highly oriented polyethylene, liquid crystal polymers and carbon. . {{/each}}, Reinforced polyester yarn black and white. North Sails has been manufacturing exclusive cloth in our Sri Lanka facility since 2010. 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. The most common material used in sails is also the most budget-friendly, known as "Dacron" within sailing communities, it's more often referred to as polyester by the rest of the world. There is a wide spectrum of carbon fiber materials that exist for, Sails are also grouped by function, such as summer or tropical. *Prices are pre-tax. Avoid flaking or folding laminate sails on the same fold line each time they are put away. Laminated sails, though popular, are less common due to their higher cost. For additional durability, very lightweight dacron taffatas can be specified. Do not use solvents or cleaning agents on sails without professional guidance. Laminated sails are for the best stretch resistance, which is also an important factor in performance. Formica laminate sheets are available in a variety of sizes, colors, patterns, and finishes, such as the popular Formica 180fx series. It's the most dynamic of all the sail repair tapes, and it works with every material. It is not the most durable, stretch-resistant, or long-lasting sailcloth. 7. Very good Service: shipped same day as ordered, exceeded my expectation. Pentex exhibits around half the stretch of an extruded polyester. The fill is the fiber that runs across the roll of cloth and, in the case of crosscut sails, is the thicker and less crimped direction. It is stronger by weight, which allows sails to be thinner and lighter. This sail is built of laminated panels assembled in a radial pattern. 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. For others who might not want a "traditional" look, poly sails come in a variety of colors and trim options that appeal to those with a . But reduced to the basics, the elements of laminated sailcloth are not unlike the components in the layup of a fiberglass boat; these include fibers, an adhesive, and a core. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. This offers mildew protection for up to five years and additionally makes the sail slippery and able to furl tighter, particularly useful on in-mast furling sails. But if you're planning on racing or making a long offshore passage, it's worth considering other sailcloth materials more carefully. Sold in full rolls only. sail warp fabric liquid crystal laminated Prior art date 1992-04-07 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. This is a combination of fibersmade entirely of Spectra, a Spectra/carbon blend, or consisting of other materialsdriven by the sails intended use. Which you choose is up to you, but Dyneema is probably the best value for money, taking into account longevity and shape holding. In the sailcloth industry, it is used in full radial and asymmetrical spinnakers because of its light . It all started with our extremely successful PX Polyester warp oriented fabrics. But lets start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. Organic sailcloth, once ubiquitous, is now extremely rare. Sewing Machines. Two fundamental ways exist to make the laminate sail fabric. 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. Laminate Repair Tape is an adhesive-backed repair tape for laminate racing sails. Better glues and application methods, and the introduction of taffeta, largely addressed these two problems. Avoid flaking or folding laminate sails on the same fold line each time they are put away. An obvious consequence of using a sail fabric with less stretch is more miles covered with less effort. Spinnakers are a unique type of sailboat with their own set of ideals when it comes to finding the right sail fabric. 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. Not only is polyester fiber one of the most resilient and affordable choices, but it also has the added benefit of featuring excellent flex strength. A fully integrated and powerful computer code controls the entire . For casual cruising, it's difficult to go wrong with. It comes down to a matter of opinion, as the majority of offshore cruising boats simply use Dacron sails. 2023 Chelsea Magazine Company | The most popular type of sailcloth is Dacron. It is a top performer in terms of shape in paneled sails but the guys at the top are usually going through a suit every few events. Overall, there exist two main categories that sails fall into; those being fore-and-aft sails (which are generally triangular in shape) and square sails. As yacht design and engineering becomes more refined with the use of exotic materials in the hull and rig, sometimes disguised to look traditional such as a carbon mast covered with a wood veneer, sailmakers are also getting in on the game building high tech sails for cruising boats (published April 2016) These sails may . These load-path sails thus combine making the sail with making the fabric, as both occur at the same time. Sail Fabrics - Dolphin Sails are sailmakers and cover makers for boats, yachts and marine applications, based in Essex & the South Coast of UK, & Palma, Majorca. Extended life-span Kevlar is the other material that comes to mind when considering popular sail cloths. A near endless number of weaves exist, including the "DCX" Dacron, "D4" Load Path, " Square" Sailcloth, and more. I don't think my PRHF rating included sail material, just dimensions . The sail loft then takes the material and cuts the panels to make a sail. Since its launch in 1997, the magazine has sealed its reputation for essential sailing information and advice. Choosing the right sailcloth can be challenging, as there are numerous options on the market today. Fabric is D4 Vectran with standard film/taffeta, sail includes spreader patch, UV cover, and bag. The material used in a sailboat sail is commonly referred to as "sailcloth" and can be woven, spun, or even molded into place (as with laminates). Load path sails are molded specifically to encourage certain handling characteristics by forcing air down a predetermined 'path.' Not the one under the companionwaythe ones set off the mast. This Code Zero laminate cant wait to race. 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. PEN fibers are not considered to be lightweight, and stretch only about half as much as PET fibers while being just 1/5 better in overall strength. It features a very high breaking strength, and for this reason is a highly popular choice for racing sails. The goal is a stretch-resistant, shape-holding, lighter sail thats still affordable. What Size Trolling Motor For 24ft Pontoon Boats? $12.23 per yard, 60" wide. Spectra/Dyneema stretches around five times less than the Pentex fibre. Historically, laminated sails of any construction method were usually replaced when the fibers delaminated from the film or the film itself broke down. Other materials, such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, Spectra, Technora, and Vectran, are also common in some applications. Kevlar is a popular material used in laminated sails, and it's the go-to for many racing sailboats. Its inner values vouch for it: A strong internal Ultra-PE woven membrane base encapsulated by film, which is laminated to a tightly woven ripstop taffeta. Since Mylar accounted for most of the sail material, it took much of the blame. Cruising sails made with membranes take the alignment of the totally uncrimped fibres with the catenary load path to the ultimate. It isn't uncommon for performance sailboats and racing boats to feature sails that need changing more frequently than those on other sailboats, and for this reason generally have a lower flex strength. 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. Each type has a different purpose. Laminated sails are not significantly faster than good quality dacron sails in normal winds (between about 7-15 knots). GPL is the first laminated sailcloth line to capture the strength of high performance carbon. How Many People Can Fit On A Pontoon Boat? Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. In both materials, the warp, or long yarns, are or should be thicker than the fill. Secondly the fibres used are less stretchy than the base fibres used in a polyester product. The Rent Zestimate for this home is $1,913/mo, which has increased by $1,913/mo in the last 30 days. 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. The tighter a sailcloth is woven, the better it will perform. Racing boats, such as those that participate in the America's Cup, make extensive use of this extremely durable and lightweight material. 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. Ripstop 0.75 oz. Generally speaking, higher weight sailcloth is more durable but also heavier. It is susceptible to stretching over time, is UV resistant and relatively inexpensive. A loose-footed high-performance laminated main, with the clew secured by a Velcro strap. the sailmaker of your choice as perfectly laminated material including Dimension-Polyants proven and Dan Neri, sailor and author of Sail Care and Repair, explains that Dacron is ideal for storm sails due to its resistance to decay. Only three of theseDacron, Vectran, and Spectracan be readily woven into a viable sail fabric. 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. Type: - POLYESTER 7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat >>, Can You Live On A Sailboat Year Round? Submit your email address for special promotions and offers. Are you saying that if both sails were equally well designed and assembled, the expected performance would be equal? While all sails have their benefits and strong points, some are more durable and sturdy than others. 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate fully battened mainsail 66m2 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate furling headsail . The 1,597 sq. Bavaria Vision with triradial-cut cruise laminate sails. The cover can make a hinge where tears like to start; this is the real inspiration for the project. -, {{product.productPrice.formattedPriceMax}}. {{#each pushedProductsPlacement5}}, With NauticExpo you can: Find a nearby distributor or reseller| Contact the manufacturer to get a quote or a price | Examine product characteristics and technical specifications for major brands | View PDF catalogues and other online documentation. In the United States, sailcloth weight is measured in ounces. Storm cells are almost always made of Dacron, despite the availability of other materials such as Kevlar. As sails are used, they eventually tend to show signs of wear that include stretching in high load sections. Extended the life of my non-racing sails by years. But let's start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. . ); and, in the case of an overlapping headsail, its chafe resistance. Poly laminate sails cost very little compared to most sails and sail materials. Membrane sails in the racing market have become commonplace. . While this is a very typical choice among recreational and casual sailors, when it comes to more demanding needs, the fabrics and materials can get as exotic as kevlar, mylar, or carbon instead. This repair is common for small holes and tears and is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails. Pricewise, load-path sails are generally more expensive but retain their original shape longer. SHOP . IMHO laminates are the way to go for both cruising and racing. These three-dimensional sails are popular on racing vessels. Reviews Write a review. Width: 150 cm. . Price varies significantly between materials and manufacturing processes. {{#i!=(product.specData.length-1)}} We are interested in a combination of performance and longevity - we want the sails to last 7-10 years, 40,000 miles, tropics and higher latitudes (high 50's), and maintain a good sailing shape well into 5+ years. Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. Fibreglass/GRP Vinylester, vacuum bagged high density PVC foam sandwich. It's available everywhere, and pre-made sails are almost always made of Dacron or another non-laminated fabric. Individualization. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. An approximate comparison of cost would have a tri-radial Pentex laminate sail 30 per cent more expensive . Mylar, and sail includes UV cover and bag. Kevlar sails are available in multiple weave types, strengths, and thicknesses. Nylon is also a popular synthetic sail material, though it's not as prolific as Dacron.