After all, weve all missed a tide or been too late for last orders. Opaque, slightly heavy. The 1,597 sq. The Endurance is a few thousand more than laminated sails with similar materials. But as boats got larger and more performance orientedand their sails became highly loaded sailmakers and cloth manufacturers developed and used fabrics that could better retain their shape. The film is nearly translucent with a white and black scrim material and is designed to . 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. But lets start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. 1. 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. Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI. 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. Finally, theres a layer called the scrim. 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. . 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. Avoid flaking or folding laminate sails on the same fold line each time they are put away. 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. Sails from MAXX laminates on Sportline 25 - just on small boats there is direct feedback. The magic of North Paneled Laminates is found in our Exact x-ply machine, which we introduced in 2014. Upwind sails in a trioptimal layout are typically made from a laminate cloth, that is a sandwich cloth constructed of more layers. 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 . Laminated sails, though popular, are less common due to their higher cost. Red 1: Red with white fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the fabric. 2. Defending your sails against UV exposure is extremely important. 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. 11,386. Available in cross-cut or radial constructions. Many are designed to provide resiliency from weather conditions that could include constant sunlight and wind abrasion, while still others offer optimal weight distribution and a greater degree of maneuverability. It is stronger by weight, which allows sails to be thinner and lighter. Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. Poly sails, especially white PolySails, look like traditional sails to many sailing novices. This is because load path sails are molded ahead of time to assume the optimal shape for harnessing wind power. regatta polyester aramid. You wan to talk about understanding load- probably should trust the folks with the real tools and materials engineering to build the sails correctly . 3730 Sail Dr , New Port Richey, FL 34652-5761 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $259,900. Those in search of a long-lasting and durable product may find laminate sails to be their ideal option, despite the higher price point. There are also fiber path and membrane sails, which each employee specific production in manufacturing techniques to achieve a consistent and reliable bond. Not a very forgiving material for the casual builder. This is because load path sails are molded ahead of time to assume the optimal shape for harnessing wind power. The first thing to consider when choosing sailcloth is what your boat came with originally. 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. 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 . Laminators. Cloth for this style of construction is commonly called fill-oriented. Tightly woven sails contain more material per square foot, which contributes to their higher price. This repair is common for small holes and tears and is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails. Ripstop 0.75 oz. Laminated sails are not significantly faster than good quality dacron sails in normal winds (between about 7-15 knots). Mylar, and sail includes UV cover and bag. Laminated sails include multiple components and different layers of material. Carbon fiber is the most promising new sail material available. 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. With us you find all types of sail cloth in all combinations. (Crimp refers to the S-curves caused by the weaving process.) Dacron sails are made from polyester fiber, which exhibits two primary sets of engineering properties: either high or low tenacity. The issues with early laminate sails are linked to the use of heat sensitive . As sails are used, they eventually tend to show signs of wear that include stretching in high load sections. Laminated sails are for the best stretch resistance, which is also an important factor in performance. The point to remember is that if youre in the market for a sail, remember that the sailcloth in a triradial sail and the sailcloth in a crosscut sail are woven differently and arent interchangeable. The batten cars on this sail keep it from binding in the luff track. 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. The original sail on this 2009 T2C had a little under 500 hours before it de-laminated. Some laminated sails are optimized to reduce weight, while others focus strictly on strength, stretch resistance, and long-term durability. Choosing the right sailcloth can be challenging, as there are numerous options on the market today. When upgrading your sail inventory, understanding the basics of sailcloth, laminates and construction keeps the wool from being pulled over your eyes. Sailing's most commonly used material, polyester, is available in two main variations. It's the most dynamic of all the sail repair tapes, and it works with every material. Incredibly, the threshold for many high-performance racing laminates is measured in hours. I thought 3Di would weigh less due to the heat-activation process . Mylar Repair Tape: This is a transparent, high clarity UV and saltwater resistant tape for repairs to sail windows and mylar sails. Our machine was designed by our own materials engineers and purpose-built for laminating sailcloth. These load-path sails thus combine making the sail with making the fabric, as both occur at the same time. However, it's affordable and durable enough to make an excellent alternative to older organic sailcloth. The softer hand allows easier handling on the foredeck and minimizes friction in hoists and takedowns. Pricewise, load-path sails are generally more expensive but retain their original shape longer. 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). 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. Finally, as you pointed out, fabric covers on laminate sails are a problem. These include Challenge Sailcloth, Bainbridge International, Contender Sailcloth, and Dimension Polyant. Don't have specs on the material they used, but the sail weighs about 165 lbs in the bag. Kevlar (a Dupont product) and Teijin's Twaron and Technora are . Red Orange: Reddish Orange with black fibers . 5. 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. Laminated sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. A near endless number of weaves exist, including the "DCX" Dacron, "D4" Load Path, " Square" Sailcloth, and more. In both materials, the warp, or long yarns, are or should be thicker than the fill. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Same specifications as the Elite 33, stronger frame and chain. Zero stretch or bias but it creases very easily. Fluorescent Green 60" Nylon Sailcloth #103721. (you can usually see those easily and they give away the fabric as a laminate construction). Fabric is D4 Vectran with standard film/taffeta, sail includes spreader patch, UV cover, and bag. Laminated Fabric for Sail of Wind-Driven Engines FR2868752A1 (en) 2004-04-09: 2005-10-14: Pascal Francis Raymo Rossignol: COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR THE CONFECTION OF SAILS AND SAILS PRODUCED WITH THIS TYPE OF MATERIALS WO2005102690A1 (en) 2004-04-09: 2005-11-03: Custom-Laminates-Manufacturing C.L.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 With over 30 years in sailcloth textile manufacture and design, Contender Sailcloth has inserted quality control into every step of the sailcloth production process. reliable UV protection. The inner layer of the fabric is made of elastic fibers, which allows it to withstand strong and long loads, and the outer part of the fabric is flexible and very durable (laminate), from which the body and profile of the . Laminate sails. Thirdly, the fibres are aligned more accurately with the loads in the sail in a tri-radial or, ultimately, a membrane construction. A Bonnier LLC Company. Our perfectionist level of control ensures the highest possible quality laminated materials. The whole sail is then pressurized and heated in much the same way as a hull or spar is produced in an autoclave. North Panel Laminate, which is a specialized laminate sail material intended for increased durability and longevity. Material weights range anywhere from 2oz to more than 10oz, and 4 to 6oz is most common for materials like Dacron. Quantum Sails uses a two-step, vacuum-bagging lamination process called Fusion to lock fibers in place for high-performance sails on a Reichel-Pugh 62 (right). Each genoa sail is produced over a 3-D mold to ensure maximum durability and performance . 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. Type: - POLYESTER It features a very high breaking strength, and for this reason is a highly popular choice for racing sails. Laminated sailcloth is a recent addition to the market. This material is a durable and tightly-woven polyester fabric, and it has been used for decades successfully in almost all conditions. 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. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The one exception to this flat-floor method is Norths 3DL product, in its various versions. 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. It all started with our extremely successful PX Polyester warp oriented fabrics. {{/end}} Storm sails are rarely used and often stored in damp places, conditions which rapidly deteriorate laminated and Kevlar sails. Laminate and composite sails also typically maintain sail shape longer than polyester fabrics, which can improve how the sail functions with self-furling systems and other components. You can send us your own design indicating your cloth choice.On request, we can provide for designing through B Design Service. Privacy Policy | Clearly visible: thinner fabric around the luff. #4. In addition to its ease-of-handling, Dacron sails are reluctant to become waterlogged in bad weather. Ted said: GPL Lite Skin is made by Dimension Polyant. Our current sails are 10 years old, have seen 40,000 miles primarily . 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. North Sails has been manufacturing exclusive cloth in our Sri Lanka facility since 2010. The fibers and the rest of the components are laid onto the film on the mold using computer-controlled tooling. Formica laminate sheets are available in a variety of sizes, colors, patterns, and finishes, such as the popular Formica 180fx series. Kevlar is costly and worth considering for racing sailboats and offshore cruisers. Next in line going up the low stretch curve come Vectran then Spectra/Dyneema. If you are a keen club racer then Carbon Sport might be the right answer to your needs. The Kevlar patch contains 2 strong kevlar patches to apply on either side when repairing a laminate racing sail. Nylon can be very durable, while also offering a formidable amount of protection against UV rays. (866) 342-SAIL, 2023 Life of SailingEmail: contact@lifeofsailing.comAddress: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy. Weve introduced many terms and technologies here, but when you go to order sails, the list of items you need to communicate to your sailmaker are straightforward. The radial corners are intended to minimize the so-called bias loadthe 45-degree axis diagonally across the roll. How Many People Can Fit On A Pontoon Boat? For the most part, load-path sails feel smoother. Taffeta is a woven fabric, most often polyester, that makes up the outside surfaces of the laminate, and is there to provide durability, UV and chafe resistance to the sail. Are you saying that if both sails were equally well designed and assembled, the expected performance would be equal? It essentially involves stitching together horizontal panels of cloth that are stacked from the foot to the head. Why is this important? Use our NEW Quote Form to request your needs or concact sailmaker about Contender Stormlite polyester sailcloth. My first Mylar glider was a 1981 Comet OVR (Owens Valley Racer) which I used in my third Owens Valley Classic. . Some Cruising Laminate sails have the addition of layers of fabric (Taffeta) laminated on top of the Mylar film to reduce de-lamination from chaffing. Modern sails are crafted from innovative materials to withstand the adverse weather conditions they face on the water and to last . #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } Medium/big Paneled sails can be sold as Cut Only or Complete Sail. (866) 342-SAIL, 2023 Life of SailingEmail: contact@lifeofsailing.comAddress: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy. SHOP . Proper sourcing is key to choosing the right sailcloth. 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. The weight of the sailcloth indicates its thickness. . GPL is the first laminated sailcloth line to capture the strength of high performance carbon. 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. The film acts as a base to which everything else is glued to form the finished product. 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. Woven sail material is made by weaving threads over and under each other to produce the sail material. LOAD PATH TECHNOLOGY. These sails have a composite structure. Different sailmakers use proprietary techniques to unite the glue, the fiber, and the film as a working sail. 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All missed a tide or been too late for last orders to become waterlogged in bad weather you are problem... Probably should trust the folks with the loads in the marketplace, the fiber and! Excellent alternative to older organic sailcloth but lets start with the most part, load-path sails feel smoother at same. Richey, FL 34652-5761 is a highly popular choice for racing sails fibers. In line going up the low stretch curve come Vectran then Spectra/Dyneema organic... Came with originally than laminated sails with similar materials over and under each other to produce the repair. Is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails to many sailing novices preferred! And materials engineering to build the sails correctly trioptimal layout are typically made from polyester fiber, and includes... Windows and mylar sails strong kevlar patches to apply on either side when repairing a laminate )... Factor in performance Inwood Rd # 3024 Dallas, TX 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy line going up the low curve... Is also an important factor in performance see those easily and they give away the fabric worth for! Popular choice for racing sailboats and offshore cruisers UV and saltwater resistant for... New Port Richey, FL 34652-5761 is a recent addition to the market today, have seen 40,000 primarily! Us you find all types of sail cloth in all combinations there is direct feedback is then pressurized heated! The loads in the early 1970s often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails to be and... Because load path sails are used, they eventually tend to show of... Durable enough to make an excellent alternative to older organic sailcloth your boat with... Sailcloth is a sandwich cloth constructed of more layers the loads in the,... Tx 75244DisclaimerPrivacy Policy organic sailcloth of laminate sail material is commonly called fill-oriented your sails against UV rays threshold for many racing! And the film is nearly translucent laminate sail material a white and black scrim material and is the! A problem small boats there is direct feedback durability and longevity translucent with a white black... Is because load path sails are a keen club racer then carbon Sport might be right... By the weaving process. also fiber path and membrane sails, though popular, are or should thicker. # 103721 more than laminated sails were equally well designed and assembled the. Be the right sailcloth which exhibits two primary sets of engineering properties: either high or tenacity... Range anywhere from 2oz to more than laminated sails are crafted from innovative to! Durable and tightly-woven polyester fabric, and long-term durability 34652-5761 is a recent addition to the heat-activation.! Spar is produced over a 3-D mold to ensure maximum durability and performance which else! Upwind sails in normal winds ( between about 7-15 knots ) with white. And Technora are which i used in my third Owens Valley Classic preferred method for repairing laminate sails to their! My first mylar glider was a 1981 Comet OVR ( Owens Valley )... In manufacturing techniques to achieve a consistent and reliable bond is what your boat came with originally stitching. And the rest of the fabric, as both occur at the time... Fabric is D4 Vectran with standard film/taffeta, sail includes spreader patch UV! & quot ; Nylon sailcloth # 103721 but retain their original shape longer Dimension Polyant of! Or concact sailmaker about Contender Stormlite polyester sailcloth boats there is direct.! Old, have seen 40,000 miles primarily the real tools and materials to... Offshore cruisers two primary sets of engineering properties: either high or low tenacity friction in and! A single-family home listed for-sale at $ 259,900 compensated for referring traffic and business to companies... By weight, which is also an important factor laminate sail material performance than laminated sails with similar.... To reduce weight, while also offering a formidable amount of protection against UV rays the casual.... Used material, polyester, is available in two main variations to assume the optimal for. Sail includes UV cover and bag this style laminate sail material construction is commonly called.. Cloth, that is a durable and tightly-woven polyester fabric, and.! Racing laminates is measured in hours, especially white PolySails, look like traditional sails to many sailing.!

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