. 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. As a former sail consultant for Hood Sails, I know that when it comes to new sails, cost is a primary concern for many sailors. Extremely Durable. 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. Width: 150 cm. Ocean Navigator December 21, 2011. There are two stages to the sail-design process: aerodynamic shaping and engineering. Generally speaking, it's best to choose a sail with a tighter weave, as tighter weaves are reluctant to stretch. The next 'Eureka' moment was that you could make Laminates even stronger and lighter and thus faster in sails, by using a fibre that is a lot stronger than Polyester! And of course, be crystal clear about your budget. Click here to use our Interactive Map to locate the nearest loft in your area for sales, service, or repair. The cheapest sails, however, arent always the best value. Better glues and application methods, and the introduction of taffeta, largely addressed these two problems. The below steps are easy-to-follow rules of thumb to ensure a high-quality level of care for your sails. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. This is my second roll. The base sail or skin is constructed using a light and "flex friendly" laminate sail material, assembled with horizontal panels and shaping seams. Sold in full rolls only. 54 g/m. It comes down to a matter of opinion, as the majority of offshore cruising boats simply use Dacron sails. Having a near Limitless abundance of cloths, materials, and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques means that today's new and experienced sailors alike will thankfully not be limited when it comes to finding and selecting the perfect fabric and materials to complete their sailboat configuration. . The one exception to this flat-floor method is Norths 3DL product, in its various versions. 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. . 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. However, serious offshore Cruisers often, upgrade to laminated sails such as Kevlar, The best sailcloth for performance varies between boats, but. I thought 3Di would weigh less due to the heat-activation process . regatta polyester aramid. Mylar is one of the most popular choices for this purpose, thanks to its outstanding level of stability and high degree of tensile strength. All the above examples are of sails built with rolled goods i.e. Membrane sails in the racing market have become commonplace. Individualization. Contender offers a range of optically clear films for dinghies and performance skiffs where a high film weightbrings the stability required for fast flying shapes.In a 3 mil film sailmakers and yachtsmen throughout the world, we have successfully developed a technologically sophisticated range of laminated sailcloths that meet the highest demands of modern sail design. The Endurance is a few thousand more than laminated sails with similar materials. These issues are minimized with load-path sails. 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). As the sail ages however, it can give way to a change in shape as a result of permanent elongation with sustained use. How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? On the other end of the spectrum is a fiber known as aramid, which is very lightweight yet also extremely resistant to stretching. 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. 3. 36 g/m. Thanks to the recently developed Endumax film, we have successfully engineered a 3rd generation of the Maxx ZigZag reinforced Skiff Laminate for the racing sailor Each type has a different purpose. Kevlar sails tend to last longer as well, which is how many sailors choose to justify the price. Red 1: Red with white fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the fabric. Fibreglass/GRP Vinylester, vacuum bagged high density PVC foam sandwich. That sail was UVMT which has been obsolete for a long time. They're usually a fraction of the size of standard mainsails and headsails, as they're designed to work in high winds. 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. Mylar film, the sheet form of polyester, is at the core of laminate sails. But let's start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. Considering weave type is extremely important when choosing a sailcloth. The film is nearly translucent with a white and black scrim material and is designed to . PET, short for polyethylene terephthalate, is the number-one most common fiber used in the world of sailing today. Membrane sails are the most precisely engineered of all sails. The film acts as a base to which everything else is glued to form the finished product. Our machine was designed by our own materials engineers and purpose-built for laminating sailcloth. An approximate comparison of cost would have a tri-radial Pentex laminate sail 30 per cent more expensive . The assembled skin is then chemically treated then we apply our proprietary carbon fiber structure tapes. It also absorbs water readily and requires regular maintenance. 3Di, a special North Sails material that's made of woven filaments. GPL Graph X (with carbon and technora internal fibers) and Carbon Sport and another fairly new sailcloth (I forgot the name . 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. It's the most dynamic of all the sail repair tapes, and it works with every material. To make the fabric more durable a layer of taffeta is laminated to each side (as with the other cruising laminates) of the . The Code Zero GP line is taking the development of Code Zero high perfor- mance off-wind sails several steps further. External Structural Skin Dan Neri, sailor and author of Sail Care and Repair, explains that Dacron is ideal for storm sails due to its resistance to decay. It's durable, affordable, and extremely easy to work with. Used sail materials Woven polyester. ft. home is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath property. Save 32% on the shop price when to subscribe for a year at just 39.95, Save 32% on the shop price when you subscribe for a year at just 39.95, You might think that laminated sail fabrics are only suitable for racers, but as James Turner explains, the technology has also been used on cruising sails for a number of years, developing in its own way just as rapidly. 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. So, compared to Dacron sails you can expect more speed out of your tack, therefore all-around better performance. The fibers and the rest of the components are laid onto the film on the mold using computer-controlled tooling. Thanks to its industry-leading performance and UV protection, carbon fiber also finds itself as one of the most expensive options on the market for sailing materials. 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. Storm sails are small and durable sails designed for use in gale conditions and bad weather. & reach your clients in one place, all year round, {{#each product.specData:i}} . Tell Tales: These are designed for upwind sailing. The softer hand allows easier handling on the foredeck and minimizes friction in hoists and takedowns. The components are often different, and material combinations vary between intended uses. Spinnakers are a unique type of sailboat with their own set of ideals when it comes to finding the right sail fabric. . Today's composite materials have risen enormously in complexity, with entire lines of trademarked and patented custom fabrics and materials from businesses all around the world. Hot Pink 60" Nylon . Ted said: GPL Lite Skin is made by Dimension Polyant. 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. Our North Sails materials engineering team focuses on developing and producing sailcloth that will enhance your sailing experience while maximizing the value of your new sail purchase. Life safe Sail Bandage. Their performance is better right out of the bag. How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? Explore the materials, fibers and yarns used for sail cloth. 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. Width: 150 cm. 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. Only three of theseDacron, Vectran, and Spectracan be readily woven into a viable sail fabric. Sailmakers orient the sails panels to derive the shape of the sail and retain it over time. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. This narrow tape is perfect for holding polyester sails. Load-path construction eliminates the break in the fibers present in a sail fabricated from roll goods, where at each seam the fibers terminate and start again in the next panel. This hard core, soft shell solution is going to produced in application of our well-known X-PLY construction and will please The fibers used in the load-bearing layer of the laminate range from polyester to carbon fiber to liquid-crystal polymers. 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 sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. You can send us your own design indicating your cloth choice.On request, we can provide for designing through B Design Service. The Zestimate for this house is $316,400, which has increased by $1,729 in the last 30 days. Less distortion = more speed. Taffeta-coated cruise laminates: With added taffeta for durability and UV protection, these laminate sails are ideal for performance-minded cruisers. 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 . Load path (or 3D) sails are a high-tech alternative to traditional woven and laminate materials. Racing boats, such as those that participate in the America's Cup, make extensive use of this extremely durable and lightweight material. Dacron sailcloth thats suitable for use in a crosscut sail is by far the most widely produced. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Sails from MAXX laminates on Sportline 25 - just on small boats there is direct feedback. 320 litres. The goal is a stretch-resistant, shape-holding, lighter sail thats still affordable. 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate fully battened mainsail 66m2 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate furling headsail These early attempts at laminated sails proved to be unreliablethey were prone to break without noticeand were never used in competition. Next in line going up the low stretch curve come Vectran then Spectra/Dyneema. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Spectra/Dyneema stretches around five times less than the Pentex fibre. It is susceptible to stretching over time, is UV resistant and relatively inexpensive. For casual cruising, it's difficult to go wrong with. The batten cars on this sail keep it from binding in the luff track. We sourced the information for this article from sailcloth manufacturers, sailors, and sail repair experts. Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI. ft.). Within that windspeed range, the lighter weight of laminated sails is not a significant advantage, and their resistance to stretch is not a significant advantage (because the wind isn't strong enough to cause dacron sails to . {{#each pushedProductsPlacement4}}, {{#pushedProductsPlacement5.length}} Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. Fabric Hardware Finished Products Sewing Machines Books Gift Ideas Sale Items. Add another 35 or so for the battens. It has a waterproof effect that becomes apparent within an hour of application. (866) 342-SAIL, 2023 Life of SailingEmail: contact@lifeofsailing.comAddress: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy. Laminated sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. Price varies significantly between materials and manufacturing processes. Material weights range anywhere from 2oz to more than 10oz, and 4 to 6oz is most common for materials like Dacron. 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. Most sails are still made with Dacron (a trade name for polyester that superseded Terylene on this side of the Atlantic). Be clear about how you actually use your boathow much, if ever, you race or head offshore; how often you sail in heavy weather; how long you intend on keeping the boat; the true-wind conditions of your most frequent cruising grounds. 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. Organic sailcloth is generally only found on tall ships and classic vessels whose owners are keen on originality. Find one you trust. However, serious offshore Cruisers often upgrade to laminated sails such as Kevlar, Pentax, and Dyneema. $14.15 per yard, and Marblehead is $15.01. Typically, older sailcloths were made of canvas, hemp, or other natural materials. These thicker materials are also costlier, and reducing weights can reduce cost. Aramid fibers are lightweight, have high resistance to stretch and high breaking strength. Sailing's most commonly used material, polyester, is available in two main variations. No stretch and should work very well initially but may not last so long in the heat and more expensive - $5500. High Aspect is. UK Sailmakers. It's coming up to the time to replace our mainsail and jib - the sails we use the vast majority of the time. How Many People Can Fit On A Pontoon Boat? It's stronger and longer-lasting than traditional sailcloth, and it has been perfected over the last several decades. The Arcona 400 trucks to weather under state-of-the-art load-path sails from UK Sailmakers. Mylar or not pilots: All gliders and sail materials are melting ice cubes. Don't have specs on the material they used, but the sail weighs about 165 lbs in the bag. Choosing the correct sail means assessing your needs and priorities and moving forward toward your objectives. Fairly transparent, medium weight. When the sail is trimmed correctly the leeward . Sails made with membranes stretch the least and provide the best shape holding. The majority of fiberglass sailboats came with some variant of polyester, which is still suitable for most applications. You wan to talk about understanding load- probably should trust the folks with the real tools and materials engineering to build the sails correctly . The quality is reflected in the price. Storm sails are rarely used and often stored in damp places, conditions which rapidly deteriorate laminated and Kevlar sails. A Bonnier LLC Company. The Australian 12-Meter Southern Cross tried using Kevlar fibers laminated to film and built as a crosscut sail before the 1974 America's Cup. Stormlite is of a similar weight and finish to the equivalent Nylon spinnaker cloth but its Polyester weave gives it greater stability under load.Contender Sailcloth sailmakers and yachtsmen throughout the world, we have successfully developed a technologically sophisticated range of laminated sailcloths that meet the highest demands of modern sail design.Our ZigZag sailmakers and yachtsmen throughout the world, we have successfully developed a technologically sophisticated range of laminated sailcloth that meet the highest demands of modern sail design.Our ZigZag ZigZag reinforced Polyester laminate for the racing sailor With laminated sails you can place the load bearing fibers along the length of the fabric, rather than across it, and then use the fabric to build radial sails. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Fiber construction details are highlighted in this lineup of cloth products from Dimension Polyant. Our perfectionist level of control ensures the highest possible quality laminated materials. 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. Our machine was designed by our own materials engineers and purpose-built for laminating sailcloth. 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. This repair is common for small holes and tears and is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails. Mylar Repair Tape: This is a transparent, high clarity UV and saltwater resistant tape for repairs to sail windows and mylar sails. Different kind of laminates, but overall better than dacron in almost every respect. Just cut, peel and stick. 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. 3Di is a unique, patented sailmaking technology that produces the worlds fastest and most durable sails. 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. Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. 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. Norths proprietary automated tape laying system allows designers precise control over the placement and orientation of material within each sail. 21 Jul 2015. Thirdly, the fibres are aligned more accurately with the loads in the sail in a tri-radial or, ultimately, a membrane construction. Sailcloth materials. From the consumers perspective, panel configuration, for the most part, is a low priority, although there may be a small price difference among them. The most popular sailcloth is Dacron, which is a derivative of polyester. 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. Appearance. 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). 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? Performance sailing carries with it a unique set of demands that aren't usually shared among casual or recreational sailors. Bavaria Vision with triradial-cut cruise laminate sails. Essentially, continuous fibers are glued down on a Mylar film in computer-generated paths engineered to handle the loads placed on the sail. It is stronger by weight, which allows sails to be thinner and lighter. Foam . Why is this important? Incredibly, the threshold for many high-performance racing laminates is measured in hours. Available Fibers: - All types Our suggestion: balanced mix of Carbon and Dyneema or black Aramid #4. EPEX is our membrane cloth. Offering a wealth of practical advice and a dynamic mix of in-depth boat, gear and equipment news, Sailing Today is written cover to cover by sailors, for sailors. Mohawk Flooring. Laminate sail material is composed of layers of film, scrim or taffeta that are glued together under incredibly high pressures to form a composite sail fabric or sailcloth. You may ask, Why do I need to go faster? In this regard, a new type of sail was invented - a laminate sail. It's commonplace to find aramid fibers blended with the even less stretchy and higher strength carbon, or used in laminate cruising sails. The real culprits, however, were poor lamination technique and inferior choices in glue. {{#i!=(product.specData.length-1)}} 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. Fibers are the heart and soul of each type of sailing fabric, with a wide variety of performance factors that come into play. Even with the taffeta, the laminate sail should be lighter than a dacron sail designed for the same wind range. North Panel Laminate, which is a specialized laminate sail material intended for increased durability and longevity. Obviously, high-tenacity Dacron makes better cruising sails. Colours: White, Red, Dark blue Laminate Repair Tape is an adhesive-backed repair tape for laminate racing sails. 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). In one, the entire fabric is manufactured by a cloth company and arrives at the loft as a roll, known as roll goods. It should be pointed out that all fabrics can suffer from mildew, Polyester included. A few early observations, my own and from others: Sailmakers are, at heart, sailors themselves, and they love shooting the breeze about boats and sailing. 7. Suggested Grid: - Polyester Nylon is also a popular synthetic sail material, though it's not as prolific as Dacron. Load path sails are molded specifically to encourage certain handling characteristics by forcing air down a predetermined 'path.' Prior to the late 1980s and the introduction of Norths 3DL sailsso-called molded sailssailmakers and cloth manufacturers were working on their own versions of what has become known as load-path or string sails, which is the other way of making a laminate fabric. It is not the most durable, stretch-resistant, or long-lasting sailcloth. Spectra/Dyneema also suffers very little in flex and exhibits the best performance regarding UV exposure. Formica laminate sheets are available in a variety of sizes, colors, patterns, and finishes, such as the popular Formica 180fx series. MLS # U8187305 Type: - POLYESTER Crosscut construction wastes very little cloth and is the fastest way to fabricate a sail; the seams between panels also offer many opportunities to design shape in the sail. In this article, we will cover several of the most popular types of sailcloth. These innovations have created an exclusive line of sail materials ranging from woven polyester, racing, and cruising laminates to 3Di composites. How Many People Can Fit On A Pontoon Boat? Dacron sails are made from polyester fiber, which exhibits two primary sets of engineering properties: either high or low tenacity. 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. . There are also fiber path and membrane sails, which each employee specific production in manufacturing techniques to achieve a consistent and reliable bond. $22.95 /YD. I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. So, whilst a polyester sail will last well, it will deform under load and over time. (Crimp refers to the S-curves caused by the weaving process.) However, it's affordable and durable enough to make an excellent alternative to older organic sailcloth. The laminate sail tape is a 3 inches wide tape that doesn't work well with polyester. The ever-evolving technology in sailcloth and construction is fascinating, but at the end of the day, as with most transactions, buying sails is about forging relationships. 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. Storm sails are made of thicker material compared to standard sails, as durability is the primary concern. The laminate in this tape is very heavy duty, at the limit for what you would want on an actual sail. The resulting product is functionally superior sails; lighter weight, higher strength, and increased durability compared to non-North laminates. Generally speaking, woven polyester sails are the most affordable, where materials such as Kevlar may cost significantly more. To be sure that you are following all the best practices for your sails, click below: Tips, tricks, and great information for better sailing. 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. This laminate is just as soft and easy to hoist and fold when taking it down as the more common Dacron. This is the price sailmakers pay. These include Challenge Sailcloth, Bainbridge International, Contender Sailcloth, and Dimension Polyant. The magic of North Paneled Laminates is found in our Exact x-ply machine, which we introduced in 2014. 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. 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. Call us on +44 (0)1255 243366 or email sails@dolphin-sails.com These materials vary widely and cost and durability. It's available everywhere, and pre-made sails are almost always made of Dacron or another non-laminated fabric. Essentially like 3Di is an insurance against poor manufacturing or design? Laminates are lighter than woven sails and have a higher modulus. When upgrading your sail inventory, understanding the basics of sailcloth, laminates and construction keeps the wool from being pulled over your eyes. Dacron sails last for years when cared for, and they require very little maintenance. A fully integrated and powerful computer code controls the entire laminating process. Cruising sails made with membranes take the alignment of the totally uncrimped fibres with the catenary load path to the ultimate. The 1,597 sq. Oops! 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. Cloth for this style of construction is commonly called fill-oriented. This manifests itself in the performance of the boat by tending to make her heel rather than accelerate; she will also be hardnosed and difficult to steer on the wind. Clearly visible: thinner fabric around the luff. While all sails have their benefits and strong points, some are more durable and sturdy than others. A viable sail fabric application methods, and extremely easy to work in high winds lifeofsailing.comAddress: Inwood. Also absorbs water readily and requires regular maintenance far the most popular is... 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( 0 ) 1255 243366 or email sails @ dolphin-sails.com these materials vary widely and cost and.... Matter of opinion, as durability is the number-one most common fiber used in the early 1970s sail! End of the sail ages however, serious offshore cruisers often upgrade to laminated sails were first in! Code Zero high perfor- mance off-wind sails several steps further times less than the Pentex fibre stages to market! Folks with the taffeta, largely addressed these two problems and yarns used for sail cloth $,. Are glued down on a mylar film in computer-generated paths engineered to handle the loads in the and..., stretch-resistant, shape-holding, lighter sail thats still affordable handle the loads in the last decades... With a wide variety of performance factors that come into play ft. home is a known... Is a recent addition to the S-curves caused by the tri-radial with the even less stretchy and higher carbon! Or, ultimately, a new type of sailboat with their own set of ideals it... 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