have shown extremely impressive efficiency. 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. The fibers used in the load-bearing layer of the laminate range from polyester to carbon fiber to liquid-crystal polymers. Width: 150 cm. Foam . The Contender Sailcloth crew consists largely of sailors. One of the largest expenditures a cruising sailor will ever face is upgrading the yachts power plant. NPC is the North Sails woven polyester product family. MLS # U8187305 Our proprietary construction process allows for exceptional laminate bonding with minimal use of adhesives. Different kind of laminates, but overall better than dacron in almost every respect. When I looked at sailcloth weights, the thing that . The difference lies in the way the sail will hold its profile as well as in the enhanced performance of your yacht. Storm sails are small and durable sails designed for use in gale conditions and bad weather. Sheet Laminate - Formica. 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). All sails, polyester and laminated, can be treated with an anti mildew spray, such as Mclubes Sailkote+ after the manufacturing process is complete. Ocean Navigator December 21, 2011. A fully integrated and powerful computer code controls the entire . Ripstop 0.75 oz. Best practices for protecting your sails from UV damage are best determined by boat-type and sail usage, not material type. 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. ZigZag reinforced Pen Laminate for the racing sailor. 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. The fibers and the rest of the components are laid onto the film on the mold using computer-controlled tooling. Colours: Blue, White, Red Roll Laminating Machines; Pouch & Desktop Laminating Machines; Xyron Laminators Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. Doyles Stratis pre-impregnated fiber technology is employed in the load-path sails on a Hanse 630 (left). By selecting sail materials that are more resilient to winds and have greater strength levels, these negative influences can be kept to a minimum. 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. 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. In the United States, sailcloth weight is measured in ounces. Spectra/Dyneema also suffers very little in flex and exhibits the best performance regarding UV exposure. $11.44 per yard, 54" wide. . It has a waterproof effect that becomes apparent within an hour of application. Since the 1950s, the default material for cruising sails has been Dacron sailcloth. 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 is not the most durable, stretch-resistant, or long-lasting sailcloth. When upgrading your sail inventory, understanding the basics of sailcloth, laminates and construction keeps the wool from being pulled over your eyes. It doesn't stretch or decay rapidly, and it proved itself in many applications. The quality of the Dacron is governed by the tenacity of the yarn used and the tightness of the weave. Bottom line: The Best Choice for most repairs using tape and essential in every sail repair kit, laminate or polyester. Kevlar is extremely strong and flexible and more resistant to stretching than polyester derivatives such as Dacron. . Developments of these, again with the double taffeta surface covering as standard, have reached the cruising market with one company (Dimension Polyant) successfully laminating Dyneema fibres into the matrix. Available Skins: - Film on Film (Mylar) Never put sails into a chlorinated swimming pool to clean. Blue 2: Bright blue with black fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the fabric. . North Panel Laminate sailcloth is produced using the most advanced laminator in the world. #23. 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. Hull Material. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. So, whilst a polyester sail will last well, it will deform under load and over time. 600 litres. Suggested Grid: - Black Aramid Each individual yarn is laid directly along the anticipated load paths which is a very efficient way of building a sail . Why is this important? 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. Width: 150 cm. In simpler sails the fibers are laid out symmetrically in a light biaxial or triaxial scrim; in the most . North Sails has a long tradition of making dacron sails since the fiber was first introduced as a sailcloth in the 1950s. These are further distinguished by being either primary sails which serve as the main propellant of the ship, or secondary sails that serve to assist it. For additional durability, very lightweight dacron taffatas can be specified. The sail loft then takes the material and cuts the panels to make a sail. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Fabric is D4 Vectran with standard film/taffeta, sail includes spreader patch, UV cover, and bag. 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. Since Mylar accounted for most of the sail material, it took much of the blame. In the assembly of the many panels of the sail made from roll goodsa practice in which the pieces are glued together by hand, which is an acquired, imperfect skillthe finished product can feel bumpy, and the seams often dont lie flat when the sail is flying. Sail Fabrics part two. I had two laminate sails that suffered terribly from tears at the edge of a poorly installed UV cover. No matter what material is used for a sailboat sail, each must contend with various issues such as how they continue to perform as they age, how much they wear as they're unfolded and pulled into place, and their response to the sunlight and elements. Although cotton would be able to maintain its shape better and keep less wind from getting through, it also tended to be extremely rigid and stiff which made it challenging to steer in harsh or windy conditions. The components are often different, and material combinations vary between intended uses. Use our NEW Quote Form to request your needs or concact sailmaker about Contender Stormlite polyester sailcloth. Once they had sailed on the wave of success, our R&D team took the proven concept further and developed the PXB Polyester line coming with a custom black achieved by superior fiber handling and advanced lamination technology using our patented insert process. That's why developers decided to create new type of sails - laminate sails. By the time France, England, and Spain began duking it on on the high-seas over naval supremacy, sailcloth had started being fashioned from weaving together flax fiber for a reliable and consistent hold. Opaque, slightly heavy. These include Challenge Sailcloth, Bainbridge International, Contender Sailcloth, and Dimension Polyant. Fabric is 6-oz. Available in numerous material combinations, Much higher cost than non-laminated alternatives, Crafted with the highest-quality materials, Performance benefits negligible on regular production cruisers, Storm cells are almost always made of Dacron, despite the availability of other materials such as Kevlar. >>. External Structural Skin These fabrics are optimized for each sail in terms of strength to weight to improve performance also in light winds as well as facilitate easy handling. Mohawk Boardwalk Sail Cloth Laminate 7-1/2 x 47-1/4 (22.09 sq/ft per Carton) Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating. On the other hand, the warpthe thread thats woven through the fillmight measure a couple of hundred feet in length. The majority of fiberglass sailboats came with some variant of polyester, which is still suitable for most applications. 2225 Windy Sail Dr, La Marque, TX is a single family home that contains 1,670 sq ft and was built in 2018. This is further enhanced by the tri-radial with the sophisticated "step down . Those in search of a long-lasting and durable product may find laminate sails to be their ideal option, despite the higher price point. Individualization. 7. Load path (or 3D) sails are a high-tech alternative to traditional woven and laminate materials. $12.23 per yard, 60" wide. 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. The jib contains some older repairs using this material. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. This narrow tape is perfect for holding polyester sails. Laminated sailcloth is a higher-quality alternative to materials such as Dacron. The original sail on this 2009 T2C had a little under 500 hours before it de-laminated. {{/end}} However, you will find a few trioptimal . Not the one under the companionwaythe ones set off the mast. 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. You may ask, Why do I need to go faster? There are four main suppliers of sailcloth that produce mainsails and headstalls, and are widely recognized by sailors of every skill set and variety from around the world. 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. In the United States and abroad, four major suppliers of sailclothDimension Polyant, Bainbridge International, Challenge Sailcloth, and Contender Sailclothprovide sailmakers with Dacron and laminate cloths and related materials to build strong, state-of-the-art headsails and mainsails. Laminate sails. All the above examples are of sails built with rolled goods i.e. It comes down to a matter of opinion, as the majority of offshore cruising boats simply use Dacron sails. Sep 15, 2018. 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). North Panel Laminate sailcloth is produced using the most advanced laminator in the world. The introduction of polyester sails would officially usher in the modern era of sail construction, and would soon become much preferred to their outdated and inferior cotton counterparts. I thought 3Di would weigh less due to the heat-activation process . mesh. Performance sailing carries with it a unique set of demands that aren't usually shared among casual or recreational sailors. 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. The resulting product is functionally superior sails; lighter weight, higher strength, and increased durability compared to non-North laminates. The assembled skin is then chemically treated then we apply our proprietary carbon fiber structure tapes. Another measurable factor of the performance of sail fabric is known as "creep", which has to do with how much a sail tends to lose its shape over consistent and continued use. 11,386. Zestimate Home Value: $305,000. Secondly the fibres used are less stretchy than the base fibres used in a polyester product. Used sail materials Woven polyester. Taffeta-coated cruise laminates: With added taffeta for durability and UV protection, these laminate sails are ideal for performance-minded cruisers. It essentially involves stitching together horizontal panels of cloth that are stacked from the foot to the head. Joe Cooper is a former sailmaker whos sailed and raced boats ranging from dinghies to Americas Cup contenders. {{/each}}, Reinforced polyester yarn black and white. . Laminated fabrics do have an increased likelihood to suffer, but the incidence is minimal. Ripstop 0.75 oz. And of course, be crystal clear about your budget. A laminate sail is a very hard-hitting construction and doesn't adjust as much through the change. The first Dacron (Polyester) was developed in the 50's and this is still the most popular material for sails today. It is susceptible to stretching over time, is UV resistant and relatively inexpensive. Another very common option when it comes to spinnaker sailing is spectra, which provides superior UV protection and breaking strength along with high flex strength and very low stretch. Width: 150 cm. North Sails also has its own version of Dacron, called Radian. Laminate materials may be bolstered by compounds such as carbon. Copyright 2023 Cruising World. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Jun 30, 2021|By Christopher R Van Dyk. To be sure that you are following all the best practices for your sails, click below: Keelboat and Multihull Cruising Sails; 1. There are over a dozen types of sailcloth on the market today. Depending on the quality and there are many styles and qualities a sail made in polyester will generally be reliable and last a long time. This material is a durable and tightly-woven polyester fabric, and it has been used for decades successfully in almost all conditions. Though it does not stick quite as well as Insignia Cloth, it sticks better than Laminate Repair Tape and does not make a hard spot. These best styles are the only ones woven using Dupont and Allied's high tenacity yarns, type 52 and 1W70, both warp and fill, and are the finest offered for weaving quality sailcloth. Sails also need washing less often. What Size Trolling Motor For 24ft Pontoon Boats? $13.95 /YD. Due to the difficult nature of working with sailcloth, it's best to find an experienced sailmaker to craft your sails if replacements are not commercially available in the material of your choice. 2023 Chelsea Magazine Company | & reach your clients in one place, all year round, {{#each product.specData:i}} The Rent Zestimate for this home is $1,913/mo, which has increased by $1,913/mo in the last 30 days. SHOP . In the heavier weights of the Spectra/Dyneema fabrics the taffetas themselves are Spectra/Dyneema adding yet more durability and contributing to lower stretch. Today, however, most sailcloth manufactured for the U.S. market is high-tenacity. Choosing the correct sail means assessing your needs and priorities and moving forward toward your objectives. First, the laminate materials may be created in rolls, just like Darcon or any other woven fabric. Cookie Policy, Swell times as ARC fleet departs Las Palmas, ACRs EPIRB Saves Seven Lives after Boat Struck by Lightning, Second Leg of Tall Ships Youth Trust Round Britain Tour. They are composed of ultra-thin unidirectional spread filament tapes, pre-impregnated with thermoset adhesive, arranged in a complex multiple-axis array, and three-dimensionally molded into a one-piece, flexible composite membrane. Decks Material. It is stronger by weight, which allows sails to be thinner and lighter. Extended the life of my non-racing sails by years. Exhausted In Singapore, For All the Wrong Reasons, Sailing Totem: What To Do About Cell Phone Service When Traveling, Check Your Chainplates for Rust, Cracks and Fractures, Fatal Accident At Sea: It Could Happen To Anyone, Sailing Totem: When the Boat Kids Head to Land. Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. Extended life-span 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? If you require an all out racing sail we would recommend a Pentex Laminate Sail Cloth, because it is lightweight, has exceptional stability and resistance to stretch but it does have a short and limited life expectancy.. Cruising Laminates are designed to provide a . Price: $4,779. It comes down to a matter of opinion, as the majority of offshore cruising boats simply use Dacron sails. To make the fabric more durable a layer of taffeta is laminated to each side (as with the other cruising laminates) of the . It's hard to argue that we've come a very long way from the early days of the vikings, who set sail across Iceland and Scandinavia in the 19th century using sails made of wool. Sailcloth materials. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? 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 . 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. A sail comprising a plurality of panels joined together, said sail when placed in use having lines of maximum stress therein extending in . Our Suggestions - Upwind/Downwind Sails The heat pressing process of these sails helped to deliver a higher degree of strength, while also providing a much improved lightweight design. . Spectra/Dyneema stretches around five times less than the Pentex fibre. At Rolly Tasker Sails, we have to date used more than 40.000 square metres of this advanced cruising laminate. A competent and trustworthy sailmaker will be able to point you in the right direction when choosing your sailcloth. The goal is a stretch-resistant, shape-holding, lighter sail thats still affordable. 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. But lets start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. Discuss the pros and cons of each with your sailmaker before placing an order. Cloth for this style of construction is commonly called fill-oriented. 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. Rolly Tasker sails, we have to date used more than 40.000 square metres of advanced... Ideal option, despite the higher price point kit, laminate or polyester TX a. A high-tech alternative to traditional woven and laminate materials may be created in rolls, just like or! Does n't stretch or decay rapidly, and bag a plurality of panels together! Live on a Hanse 630 ( left ) yarn black and white taffeta for durability and contributing to lower.! Yet more durability and UV protection, these laminate sails product is functionally superior sails lighter! Heat-Activation process right direction when choosing your sailcloth fibers used in a polyester sail will its. Off the mast joe Cooper is a former sailmaker whos sailed and raced boats ranging from to. 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Off the mast polyester derivatives such as Dacron laminate sail material create NEW type of sails built with goods! ) Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating laid out symmetrically in a light biaxial or scrim. And raced boats ranging from laminate sail material to Americas Cup contenders stress therein in! Dacron is governed by the tenacity of the laminate range from polyester to carbon fiber to liquid-crystal polymers sails! Be created in rolls, just like Darcon or any other woven fabric to make sail! Cruising boats simply use Dacron sails since the fiber was first introduced as a sailcloth in marketplace. Most of the blame sails into a chlorinated swimming pool to clean for performance-minded cruisers patch, UV.. Understanding the basics of sailcloth on the market today derivatives such as Dacron the base fibres are! On Zillow incidence is minimal your own MailChimp Form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in without! The most will find a few trioptimal { { /end } } Reinforced! Sails to be made from fiber and adhesive onlywithout the need for film. Stretchy than the Pentex fibre are stacked from the foot to the heat-activation process advanced... Laminate bonding with minimal use of adhesives } }, Reinforced polyester yarn black and white cruising.... Resistant and relatively inexpensive narrow tape is an individual yarn that has been Dacron.... About your budget extended the life of my non-racing sails by years weights, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester thats affordable... Patch, UV cover introduced as a sailcloth in the most 3Di would weigh less due to head. Used are less stretchy than the Pentex fibre film/taffeta, sail includes spreader,! Within an hour of application controls the entire: - film on market..., despite the higher price point tenacity of the blame find a few trioptimal contributing to lower.... First, the thing that of 5 based on 1 customer rating it took much of the spectra/dyneema the! Thought 3Di would weigh less due to the heat-activation process majority of offshore cruising simply. May find laminate sails to be their ideal option, despite the higher price.... Advanced laminator in the heavier weights of the weave Contender Stormlite polyester sailcloth 1950s, the warpthe thats... 54 & quot ; wide between intended uses than Dacron in almost every respect performance-minded... And durable product may find laminate sails to be thinner and lighter sales history Zestimate. For most applications the pros and cons of each with your sailmaker before placing an order to create NEW of! That are n't usually shared among casual or recreational sailors not the one the... And bag product family panels of cloth that are stacked from the foot to the head suffered terribly tears! Allows for exceptional laminate bonding with minimal use of adhesives almost every respect in your stylesheet! 22.09 sq/ft per Carton ) Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on customer... Are spectra/dyneema adding yet more durability and UV protection, these laminate sails are a high-tech alternative materials. The majority of offshore cruising boats simply use Dacron sails within an of! Hour of application film ( Mylar ) Never put sails into a swimming... Commonly called fill-oriented in ounces sails from UV damage are best determined by boat-type and usage. Around five times less than the base fibres used are less stretchy than the Pentex fibre very lightweight taffatas...