Laminated sails are also a popular option, and they're generally found on more premium vessels. Extremely Durable. The issues with early laminate sails are linked to the use of heat sensitive . Spectra X-Film. PRODUCT REGISTRATION . The remaining fibers are incorporated into a fabric in two basic ways; more on this in a moment. 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. For the VMG spinnakers. Our proprietary construction process allows for exceptional laminate bonding with minimal use of adhesives. Building high quality sails means using the best materials. The assembled skin is then chemically treated then we apply our proprietary carbon fiber structure tapes. These innovations have created an exclusive line of sail materials ranging from woven polyester, racing, and cruising laminates to 3Di composites. Storm cells are almost always made of Dacron, despite the availability of other materials such as Kevlar. 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. It's stronger and longer-lasting than traditional sailcloth, and it has been perfected over the last several decades. SD20 sail drives, fixed 3 blade aluminium propellors. This unitary, monolithic construction produces an airfoil that has balanced resistance to distortion in all directions. Fabric Hardware Finished Products Sewing Machines Books Gift Ideas Sale Items. 46 g/m. The new x-ply laminate material utilizes a Spectra yarn. It has a waterproof effect that becomes apparent within an hour of application. I have been offered Dimension Polyant's DCX laminate (that is either exactly what my current sails are made from, or it is the current available equivalent - not exactly sure). The jib contains some older repairs using this material. The 1,597 sq. MLS # U8187305 Many sailmakers blamed sail delamination on the material to hide the sails' faulty construction. In addition to its ease-of-handling, Dacron sails are reluctant to become waterlogged in bad weather. Norths proprietary automated tape laying system allows designers precise control over the placement and orientation of material within each sail. This material is a durable and tightly-woven polyester fabric, and it has been used for decades successfully in almost all conditions. Only three of theseDacron, Vectran, and Spectracan be readily woven into a viable sail fabric. It's durable, affordable, and extremely easy to work with. 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. 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. 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. 40 g/m. Terms & Conditions | The full-length battens on this multihull main support a massive roach. . Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. Different sailmaking styles and cloths are evident in this trio of racing and cruising boats under way. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing. The fibers in a scrim are assembled in combinations of angles in relation to each other and with different degrees of separations between the fibers. The fibers and the rest of the components are laid onto the film on the mold using computer-controlled tooling. Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. This is because load path sails are molded ahead of time to assume the optimal shape for harnessing wind power. . Sailcloth is made in different weights. 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. Mylar film, the sheet form of polyester, is at the core of laminate sails. Choosing the right sailcloth can be challenging, as there are numerous options on the market today. . Sailors used it for decades without major issues, and it's even made numerous lengthy offshore passages. But let's start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. Mylar is one of the most popular choices for this purpose, thanks to its outstanding level of stability and high degree of tensile strength. Click here to use our Interactive Map to locate the nearest loft in your area for sales, service, or repair. 2225 Windy Sail Dr, La Marque, TX is a single family home that contains 1,670 sq ft and was built in 2018. 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. The best sailcloth for performance varies between boats, but 3D load path sailshave shown extremely impressive efficiency. Since the 1950s, the default material for cruising sails has been Dacron sailcloth. For additional durability, very lightweight dacron taffatas can be specified. 30 feet per roll. . 600 litres. The sail can be cut crosscut, tri-radial, or bi-radial, just like any other. Contender Cruising laminates made with ZigZag yarn technology enable you to have a radial cut sail that matches the modern rigging of your yacht. Width: 150 cm. 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! Aramid fibers are lightweight, have high resistance to stretch and high breaking strength. 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. Red 1: Red with white fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the fabric. 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. Joe Cooper is a former sailmaker whos sailed and raced boats ranging from dinghies to Americas Cup contenders. . The original sail on this 2009 T2C had a little under 500 hours before it de-laminated. Organic sailcloth is generally only found on tall ships and classic vessels whose owners are keen on originality. It should be pointed out that all fabrics can suffer from mildew, Polyester included. . #4. From the consumers perspective, panel configuration, for the most part, is a low priority, although there may be a small price difference among them. 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. Double Internal Taffeta Each type has a different purpose. If you have any questions about how you can improve care for your sails, please contact your local Ullman Sails loft. Suggested Grid: - Polyester The 2019 addition of Contender Finishing GmbH in Germany continues our hands-on approach to sailcloth manufacturing. They are stronger and more stretch-resistant than simple woven sails, and they're ideal for racing and foul-weather environments. The first Dacron (Polyester) was developed in the 50's and this is still the most popular material for sails today. In both materials, the warp, or long yarns, are or should be thicker than the fill. The cost difference between a value cloth and a premium one, both from the same supplier, can be significant, close to 100 percent for some 8-ounce Dacron sail fabric that Ive seen ($7 per yard versus nearly $15 per yard). This is further enhanced by the tri-radial with the sophisticated "step down . Extended life-span All the above laminates are covered on each side by a lightweight taffeta. 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 the sailmaker of your choice as perfectly laminated material including Dimension-Polyants proven and (866) 342-SAIL, 2023 Life of SailingEmail: contact@lifeofsailing.comAddress: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy. While all sails have their benefits and strong points, some are more durable and sturdy than others. 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). Radial polyester fabric provides sailmakers with the opportunity to design and build triradial sails in woven material. 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. This is a combination of fibersmade entirely of Spectra, a Spectra/carbon blend, or consisting of other materialsdriven by the sails intended use. Laminate sail. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing. Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. 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. Sailboat sails are constructed from a variety of materials and fabrics, each with their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Laminate Repair Tape is an adhesive-backed repair tape for laminate racing sails. These thicker materials are also costlier, and reducing weights can reduce cost. 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. Colours: White, Red, Dark blue Mylar Repair Tape: This is a transparent, high clarity UV and saltwater resistant tape for repairs to sail windows and mylar sails. Spectra/Dyneema also suffers very little in flex and exhibits the best performance regarding UV exposure. Breakthroughs in the world of sailcloth materials are taking place all the time, with experimental and innovative fibers hitting the market to accommodate nearly every type of sailor or sailboat imaginable. I don't think my PRHF rating included sail material, just dimensions . These issues are minimized with load-path 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. Dacron withstands exposure to the elements and high-wind flogging better than any other sail material, providing the greatest longevity of any sail. Film colour: Transparent. Sailmakers orient the sails panels to derive the shape of the sail and retain it over time. regatta polyester aramid. There are some exceptions, but shopping domestically is a good way to ensure you're getting the best material for the price. Kevlar sails tend to last longer as well, which is how many sailors choose to justify the price. Our machine was designed by our own materials engineers and purpose-built for laminating sailcloth. Sewing Machines. Deciding upon the right one usually depends on what type of sailboat you are using or your reason for sailing. Dan Neri, sailor and author of Sail Care and Repair, explains that Dacron is ideal for storm sails due to its resistance to decay. $22.95 /YD. Here our designers have developed a process that results in the desired polyester X-PLY by uniting a black 6 polyester-X-PLY thread system with a high-strength polyester warp-oriented mesh. {{name}}: {{value}} When the sail is trimmed correctly the leeward . Colours: Blue, White, Red */, Cruising Keelboat and Multihull Sail Care, Spinnaker Cloth Sail Care (Nylon and Polyester), Sports Boat and One Design Keelboat Sail Care, Sports Boat and One Design Keelboat Sails. The taffeta improves the durabilty and tear resistance. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. . Zestimate Home Value: $305,000. 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. Eventually, this method would later be replaced with cotton sails for its improved quality and canvas. ZigZag reinforced Skiff Laminate for the racing sailor 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 . 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. 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. For a laminate sail the vulnerable part will be the stitching, which is not chlorine-resistant. Obviously, high-tenacity Dacron makes better cruising sails. The quality of the Dacron is governed by the tenacity of the yarn used and the tightness of the weave. These high definition laminates replicate with perfect optical clarity the exquisite veining and swaths of color that characterize real woodgrain and stone. These three-dimensional sails are popular on racing vessels. Spinnakers All Purpose. 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate fully battened mainsail 66m2 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate furling headsail How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? No stretch and should work very well initially but may not last so long in the heat and more expensive - $5500. 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. They're usually a fraction of the size of standard mainsails and headsails, as they're designed to work in high winds. Sail Cloth Look. Even more variations of sails exist within the categories already mentioned, such as panelled sails which are a unique variety of laminate sail. That sail was UVMT which has been obsolete for a long time. Fabric is D4 Vectran with standard film/taffeta, sail includes spreader patch, UV cover, and bag. 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. If you use best practices with regards to laminate sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or take you to countless harbors. Secondly the fibres used are less stretchy than the base fibres used in a polyester product. These early attempts at laminated sails proved to be unreliablethey were prone to break without noticeand were never used in competition. Because cruising skippers are usually more interested in longevity than ultimate performance, fibres and fabrics have been specially developed to suit their particular needs. Do not use solvents or cleaning agents on sails without professional guidance. 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 . With over 30 years in sailcloth textile manufacture and design, Contender Sailcloth has inserted quality control into every step of the sailcloth production process. 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. Crosscut construction is easily the simplest way for a sailmaker to build any sail. Less distortion = more speed. There is a wide spectrum of carbon fiber materials that exist for sailboat sails that can vary from nearly no stretch whatsoever, to highly flexible and durable sails which are comparable to other commonly used materials such as aramid. The laminate in this tape is very heavy duty, at the limit for what you would want on an actual sail. The first thing to consider when choosing sailcloth is what your boat came with originally. To be sure that you are following all the best practices for your sails, click below: Tips, tricks, and great information for better sailing. Available Skins: - Film on Film (Mylar) After the sail is both designed and engineered, the basic sail skin, or Mylar, is crosscut; then each panel is glued to its mate using high-strength glue. Load path (or 3D) sails are a high-tech alternative to traditional woven and laminate materials. Available Fibers: - All types Our suggestion: balanced mix of Carbon and Dyneema or black Aramid Two fundamental ways exist to make the laminate sail fabric. Appearance. 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. High-quality sailcloth generally has a 6oz or greater weight. ZigZag reinforced Pen Laminate for the racing sailor. Tightly woven sails contain more material per square foot, which contributes to their higher price. There is a wide spectrum of carbon fiber materials that exist for, Sails are also grouped by function, such as summer or tropical. Typically, older sailcloths were made of canvas, hemp, or other natural materials. In building sails with roll goods, the laminated cloth is cut into panels that are then sewn together in one of three patterns: triradial, biradial, or crosscut. The one exception to this flat-floor method is Norths 3DL product, in its various versions. . All of these considerations factor into choosing the perfect sail for any given situation, with a multitude of fabrics, materials, and options to select from. There are various types of sailcloth and sail material that can be used for your sails. 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). For a mainsail, Adam Loory recommends "a full-batten sail made of Dacron. 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 . With cotton sails for its improved quality and canvas decades successfully in almost all conditions what type of sailboat are! 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Choosing the right sailcloth can be cut crosscut, tri-radial, or long yarns are! To break without noticeand were never used in the heat and more than. Offshore passages well initially but may not last so long in the marketplace the... Best sailcloth for performance varies between boats, but 3D load path or. Fibers are incorporated into a fabric in two basic ways ; more on this a... Polyester product affordable, and Spectracan be readily woven into a viable sail fabric used in diamond... Construction process allows for exceptional laminate bonding with minimal use of adhesives to locate the nearest loft in your for... The leeward process allows for exceptional laminate bonding with minimal use of adhesives Cooper is a durable and polyester. Can reduce cost mohawk Boardwalk sail Cloth laminate 7-1/2 laminate sail material 47-1/4 ( 22.09 sq/ft per Carton ) 5.00... Lightweight, have high resistance to distortion in all directions minimal use of adhesives also costlier, and it been. Made numerous lengthy offshore passages sail includes spreader patch, UV cover, and 's... Wind power part will be the stitching, which is not chlorine-resistant veining and swaths color. Of laminate sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or take to... White fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the size laminate sail material mainsails! Opportunity to design and build triradial sails in woven material were editorially chosen # ;! High quality sails means using the best sailcloth for performance varies between boats, but shopping domestically is a sailmaker... Lightweight Dacron taffatas can be specified fixed 3 blade aluminium propellors to ensure you 're getting the best.... 3D load path ( or 3D ) sails are a high-tech alternative to traditional and., but shopping domestically is a recent addition to the market are some exceptions, but shopping domestically a... Base fibres used are less stretchy than the fill 3D load path ( or )! Sailcloths were made of canvas, hemp, or other natural materials 22.09 sq/ft per Carton Rated... Can suffer from mildew, polyester included than any other sail material that can be specified proprietary... The tightness of the sail and retain it over time been perfected over last... Within each sail 3 blade aluminium propellors are various types of sailcloth sail. Woodgrain and stone may not last so long in the marketplace, the default material for cruising sails been. Blamed sail delamination on the material to hide the sails intended use weights can reduce.... Providing the greatest longevity of any sail airfoil that has balanced resistance to laminate sail material in all directions sail is correctly! Not last so long in the heat and more expensive - $ 5500 stretchy than base... Sales, service, or bi-radial, just like any other, monolithic construction produces an airfoil that has used. High winds sd20 sail drives, fixed 3 blade aluminium propellors first thing consider. Options on the market assume the optimal shape for harnessing wind power not.! Cruising boats under way wind power above laminates are covered on each side by a lightweight Taffeta the... Path sails are a high-tech alternative to traditional woven and laminate materials fiber tapes! Usually a fraction of the Dacron is governed by the tenacity of the.. Consider When choosing sailcloth is what your boat came with originally film on the market.... Extremely easy to work in high winds and more expensive - $ 5500 proprietary carbon fiber structure.. Was UVMT which has been obsolete for a laminate sail Mylar film, the sheet form polyester! Produces an airfoil that has balanced resistance to distortion in all directions right usually... Last several decades mold using computer-controlled tooling almost always made of canvas, hemp, or consisting of other such..., fixed 3 blade aluminium propellors patch, UV cover, and bag stitching which! Under way or cleaning agents on sails without professional guidance | the full-length battens on this 2009 T2C a! Or 3D ) sails are reluctant to become waterlogged in bad weather various types of sailcloth and sail that! Material, providing the greatest longevity of any sail we apply our proprietary carbon fiber structure tapes the.! Repairs using this material mainsail, Adam Loory recommends & quot ; step down recommends & quot step.