We believe that over the next few years triradial sails will mostly disappear, being replaced by some type of load path sail. Modern sail fabrics and how to choose them. Thermal decomposition threshold of 500C, so Technora can be used at 200C for long periods. In addition, if necessary, they are easy enough to repair, and even to reshape with their own hands. 
Nevertheless in the following years experiments with carbon fibre have been continued and nowadays it is considered to be one of the most promising materials for racing sails. As we see, in general, the capabilities of a sail are determined by the properties of the fabrics used to make it. WebStaying with upwind sail materials and paneled sails, the next tier of materials is laminated cloth (in Northspeak, NorLam). But unfortunately, no one material lives up to all these conditions, and the trick to selecting the best sail for you and your boat is to determine which of these qualities are most important to you. Important advantages of sails with radial sail plan are: more even distribution of loads, better profile efficiency and ability to keep it longer, and also simultaneous use of different materials. Just like there is a wide range in sail performance so there is in price, and one of the first questions you should ask yourself is, what do you want from a sail and how much money are you willing to pay for it? Eight different sailing fabrics can be used in laminate sails. White Sailcloth 54", Dacron Supercruise 6.4 oz. With the Load Path fiber bridging each crosscut seam, seams are non load bearing and do not require heavy reinforcement to minimize seam creep. Please note that as the material stretches, the fullness increases and tends to get blown aft, this makes the yacht heel more, the performance deteriorates and it upsets the balance of the yacht so requiring either easing the sheets or more helm to keep the boat going straight. WebAvoid flaking or folding laminate sails on the same fold line each time they are put away. I recently priced out a similar set of used sails in good condition and came to a total of $1,200. Minneys Yacht Surplus in Costa Mesa, California is a must-visit for cruisers sailing down the coast. Ullman Sails offers a variety of services to help you maintain the quality of your current sail inventory. This arrangement is commonly used for sails with aspect ratios less than 2.5:1, which are intended for use in a wide range of course angles and windspeeds. 
The more reef points you have, the more flexibility you have to adjust your sails to match the wind conditions. Pro tip: Cant find all the features youre looking for? All sails are priced under $2,000 and sold on approval. Let's consider main advantages and disadvantages of their different kinds. Remember, we have been manufacturing sails for over 177 Years, Tel: 01603 782223 Newport Low Aspect Sailcloth 54", Ripstop 1.5 oz. North Panel Laminate, which is a specialized laminate sail material intended for increased durability and longevity. WebSail Hardware. The Australian 12-Meter Load-Path Sails. For minimization of negative effect aramid fabrics are used in yachting as braided or twisted yarns and coated with special protective compositions. Based on polyester with an aramid-type molecular structure, Vectran fiber combines the advantages of both materials. The sail is assembled using a laminate that is lighter than is needed for a pure cross cut sail, and then the load path yarns are laminated on top of it to provide the strength needed in different areas of the sail. Worth the upgrade? 
Ultra PE fibers are notably lighter than aramid fibers, almost do not absorb water and successfully withstand not only most acids and alkalis but also ultraviolet rays. For racing sails the resin content tends to be higher to give better stability but the sails need to be well looked after and stored carefully. Considering the importance of stitching, Ullman Sails strongly endorses usingGore to hold your sail together. Do you want a used mainsail with a single reef, deep reef, or even two or three reefs? Generally speaking, heavy sails will last longer while lighter sails are better for sailing in light air. With a few sail cleaning tricks you can greatly reduce the appearance of stains and brighten the overall appearance of your sail. Now she has been sea bound for six years and found her passion in writing sea tales and practical sailing articles from the rural places she and her partner sail to. Lets first take a look at sail the different types of sail constructions, to help you get a better idea of how sailcloth is made to suit different sailing applications. The "Performance" line is constructed starting with base materials of Polyester, Pentex, or Aramid than, continuous, hand laminated yards of Pentex, Spectra, Kevlar or "S" Glass are applied in a load mapping of the sail. Where to search for used sails (e.g., online marketplaces, sail brokers), Jib sails (triangular sail set forward of forwardmost mast), Staysails (the innermost headsail on a cutter-rigged sailboat), Genoas (a headsail that is large enough to overlap part of the mainsail). This is the closest woven Dacron available today. Best practices for protecting your sails from UV damage are best determined by boat-type and sail usage, not material type. Orange 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Insignia Adhesive Backed Green 54" Fabric, Ripstop 0.75 oz. They tend to be lighter and hold their shape longer, though generally arent as long-lived (expect 5-7 years). The advantages of this type of sail are that it is lighter than a cross cut sail, has continuous yarns running from corner to corner and corner to edge to fully support the membrane and take care of all seam loading, and is much more cost effective than either a triradial or pure string sail. If the yarns are fully severed, then new cloth of the same or similar style and weight will need to be applied in order to make a proper repair. But this added performance often comes with a higher price point. They also will tend to hold their proper shape a bit longer, although the really fanatical racers don't use their sails much past a season. Atlantic Sail Traders has been supplying sailors with new and used sails since 1985. Each type has a different purpose. How to choose your first boat and not to regret it, Talking about the differences between engines on boats up to 12 meters, We tell you about all kinds of stationary motors and drives that can be found on boats longer than 10 meters, How to choose a sailing wardrobe for a novice yachtsman, Features and main manufacturers of hybrid rigid hull boats and PVC boats, The latest articles on yachting, yachts, powerboats, nautical life, and sailing. The LP% is the LP divided by the J dimension (measurement along the deck from forestay to mast). You can pay your local sail loft to make alterations or even do it yourself with a basic sail repair kit. Racing laminates use a combination of film and low-stretch fibre. Replacement sails are an investment and folding them properly is important to their longevity. Endurance Series sails are available in a varietyof constructions. This has resulted in a revolutionary material which boasts an unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio. WebNorth Panel Laminate sailcloth is produced using the most advanced laminator in the world. For every sail they sell, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The LP is the shortest perpendicular line from the clew to the luff. WebThe new x-ply laminate material utilizes a Spectra yarn. If you use best practices with regards to laminate sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or take you to countless harbors. However, to start your search, you only need to know four basic rig and sail dimensions. Ask Precision Sails Tags: cruising, Headsail, laminate, Mainsail, Sail, upgrade. The Spectra laminate film is found in the Ezzy Wave Special Edition, the Ezzy Infinity, and the Ezzy Eagle Kids Sail. With all the variety of sail fabric options, it's hardly worth chasing the most fashionable samples of them. This effect will reduce your overall performance out of the tack and your speed out of the maneuver. Will a new headsail be balanced with your old mainsail? So, to find out if my $1,200 sail set ranked as good is still a good deal, lets take a closer look. The main thing is to remember that the achievements of modern technologies mean little without solid skills and skillful hands, thanks to which any wind can be successfully tamed even with the help of the simplest sail. Braided with a polyester filament, in a wide triaxial grid, the results are astonishing. WebThe materials used for sails not only vary for cruising and racing, but also depending on the length and weight of the boat and the resulting loads the sails carry. Mainsails have additional reinforcement in high-load areas so you can keep your sails reefed over extended periods of time without damaging the sail. Such sails retain their shape perfectly but are quite expensive and therefore are mostly used by professional sailors. They are stronger and more stretch-resistant than simple woven sails, and they're ideal for racing and foul-weather environments. 
Modern woven sails are quite reliable and durable. Yellow 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz. Dacron sails are made from polyester fiber, which exhibits two primary sets of Understanding Laminate Sail Materials. It would be impervious to UV rays, salt water, and humidity. But slowly, even this is changing, and cruisers are beginning to open their eyes to the great values of these high-performance sails. Nylon is a lightweight and low-cost fabric commonly used in spinnakers. If we could imagine a perfect mainsail or headsail, it would be made from a cloth that is immensely strong to withstand the loads in harsh conditions. It is loosely woven, less time on the loom means less cost, the base fibres are not of the same quality as better fabrics and there is more resin used to hold the fabric together. Dyneema is especially popular for larger cruising boats where strength and durability are paramount. Better known by its resounding name dacron (Dacron), the name given to it by DuPont. For cruising laminates these figures look to be more in the 70-75% range. This should help you get a better understanding of the qualities and weaknesses of each material when applied to different constructions. UV damages sailcloth, ultimately shortening the life of your sail. 
However, it quickly loses this advantage when exposed to UV radiation. They all vary in how they present their inventory. Aramid is of midrange cost, and more expensive than polyester. Multiple Rows of Triple-Step Stitching on Every Seam PH: (541) 352-6070, Ezzy International 2023 All Rights Reserved.Groundswell, L.L.C. There is no doubt that, when it comes to both durability and shape retention, laminates by far surpass woven materials. This is mainly due to its durable and lightweight properties and the fact that it is the most affordable option. Home > Resources > Laminate Sails? Aramid sailing fabrics are available in different combinations of characteristics (elasticity, tensile strength, weight) that determine their application and price. 8 common problems sailors experience at sea (and how to avoid them), Sail cleaning 101 how to clean sails and tackle common stains, Another comprehensive, informative article. This can be broken down into 4 basic categories: This is woven to a price and can be found as standard equipment on most production yachts. , . Go green and trade them in at https://seabags.com/ . It would have ultimate stretch resistance ensuring that its designed shape would keep as long as possible. Fortunately, you can buy used sails (that are still in good condition) for very affordable prices. Are you that sailor who always just has to gain that extra a knot, trimming and adjusting the sails to perfection? These types of sails are produced using the same methods as racing sails. The carbon is laid in straight passes radiating out of the corners, passing continuously over all seams to the edges of the sail. Each composite has varying qualities and will suit different purposes, making it far easier than ever before to tailor your new sails to your sailing ambitions. 
Weblaminate sail material. See what others are creating and get inspired! Ezzy has some closeouts and demos available for shipping to the US only. The least expensive laminate cloth is made from polyester, and although significantly better than woven polyester cloth, it is the lowest on the scale of stretch resistance when talking laminate sails. Laminate sails stretch less under higher winds, since the material itself is less elastic. What qualities and properties are hidden behind loud marketing names, which the all-knowing market offers us today? Other companys sails, the draft moves back when you sheet in. Use of any material from the site is allowed only when the source is quoted. The new x-ply laminate material utilizes a Spectra yarn. Laminated sails are a step up from dacron. We at Jeckells will not make our sails out of this type of fabric. You have to pay for these advantages in the literal sense: carbon sails cost 20-40% more than aramid analogs, and in addition they were much more sensitive to mechanical damages. Where you sail. Especially recommended for sets of long and narrow racing sails, with a height-to-base ratio significantly greater than 2.5:1. Never use a sail for so long that it risks breaking while underway. It would last forever and, of course, it would be affordable. From there, youll be looking to balance how easily the sail fills in light winds with the sails longevity. The LoadPath sail construction is basically a two-part process. I would only recommend it for the very occasional weekend sailor or those on a tight budget. The tops of the webs are grouped in the upper (halyard) and sheet corners, with the stronger materials used in the front of the sail. But generally speaking, laminate sails are a sandwich construction, laminating fibers or scrim protected with mylar film between one or two taffeta layers. Details. Ultra PE sails outperform Kevlar in flexural strength and are not afraid of UV, but are more sensitive to high temperatures and more prone to stretching under long loads, making them of little use in racing garb. Another material very popular in the use of both laminate and 3Di sails, carbon has exceptional resistance to both UV and stretch. The assembled skin is then chemically treated then we apply our proprietary carbon fiber structure tapes. The shaping in our sails is done in every panel along with the luff curve. Nowadays Mylar sails can be found only on relatively small boats, but Mylar film is widely used as a base for laminate sails for cruising yachts in combination with Dacron, aramids and PEN-fibers. However, an important disadvantage of woven sails is that over time they lose their original shape, and with it their effectiveness. Finding a good deal on a used sail that fits your boat is just a matter of knowing how and where to look. So, if its shipped to you and you decide it isnt suitable, you can return it within five days. Endurance sails are our most durableproduct, specifically designed for offshore and passage-making cruisers. All Rights Reserved. While youve got your tape measure hoisted, take the other end and measure to the end of the boom where you want your clew ring will be. Orange 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz. White 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz. due to this, sails of horizontal cut are very popular and today they are the basis of the wardrobe of the majority of cruising yachts. White Sailcloth 58", Dacron Supercruise 10.4 oz. Endurance and Voyager Series sails can be upgraded to use Gore Tenarathread throughout the entire sail. Because 3Di sails have 0% Mylar, there is a 0% chance a 3Di sail will delaminate. Their strength and tensile strength are slightly superior to conventional polyester but significantly inferior to aramid. Each sail is constructed and reinforced to withstand the rigorous demands of long-distance sailing and prolonged exposure to the elements. Commentary. Well use Atlantic Sail Traders used sail ranking system as an example: If my sails cost $5,000 new (with 100% life left), youd think that a good set with 75% life left should cost should cost $3,750. Hopefully the information above will make you aware that just because a sail is bright white or only a few seasons old it does not necessarily mean it is a good sail!! Nylon is widely used for spinnakers and asymmetric spinnakers (Gennakers) because it is low cost, is lightweight for its strength, and exhibits good UV stability. The base sail or skin is constructed using a light and flex friendly laminate sail material, assembled with horizontal panels and shaping seams. By clicking "Send" you confirm that you have read and agree with our Privacy Policy and give consent to process personal data. In such conditions neither special impregnation nor other remedial measures can be effective. However, despite all their advantages the fibers have one important disadvantage: they lose their strength rather quickly when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This is offered in three different lines, Performance Load Path, Extreme Load Path and Offshore Load Path. They did noticeably improve our boats sailing performance, allowing us to point a bit higher and eke out a fraction of a knot more boat speed. 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). The sails structure is made from ultra-thin, resin-impregnated filament tapes laid out on the 3D mold slightly overlapping to form a whole fabric. Privacy Policy. However, they do have some downsides. Laminated sails, though popular, are less common due to their higher cost. The main cut options in this case are: Advantages of the linear cut sails are not too complicated calculations, easy design and assembly, minimum number of seams and waste, and therefore, cost of production. Pacific Seacraft 30 with Ullman Sails Endurance Series Cruising Sails in Bahamas, R10 meter sailing in San Diego with Endurance Series Sails. However, linear cut is practically inapplicable for modern laminate sails. Dacron is a tried and tested product that has been used successfully for cruising for many years. Low thermal shrinkage, i.e., excellent dimensional stability. However, all these measures have only a temporary effect, significantly slowing down the process of stretching of the sail, but by no means eliminating it completely. The main difference you will see between a Dacron and a laminate sail is in the shape of your sails when you tack and how this impacts on the performance of the maneuver. For them,a radial cut is used. One downside to these marketplaces is that youre buying sails from the original owner, who may not provide precise measurements and likely wont be an expert in sails. For cruising boat, even if you are going to do long distance cruising, a good styled (horizontal version) set of quality polyester sails will be enough, and they will last you for many years. If you race, your LP% will likely be determined by race regulations. We are constantly trying new ideas and materials to make our sails better than the rest. They tend to be lighter and hold their shape longer, though generally arent as long-lived (expect 5-7 years). If youre planning on doing bluewater cruising you may want to buy new, as we did, because we didnt want to be faced with replacing our sails halfway through our trip. They also sell used spars, sail bags, and other rigging. At 250C, it maintains more than half of its room-temperature tensile strength. If youre a competitive racer, new sails might be quite critical, giving you that winning edge. Yachts and yachting news, sailing news. Flutter Patches at Leech of Every Seam One downside to aramid is its very poor resistance to UV damage and it is therefore often coated with other protective composites. Aramid, short for aromatic polyamide, covers various para-aramids or trademark brands such asKevlar,Twaron,andTechnora. Bags; Boxes; Upholstery Hardware. It is connected with accumulation of total fatigue as a result of alternating stretching (especially so called oblique loads - diagonally to the interlaced fibers). How (and where) to find great deals on used sails. Or budget may be the determining factor, and a 50-80% savings is nothing to sneeze at. Blogs. How much shorter, depends on the type of sailcloth. - This opens in your default telephone application, - This opens in your default email application. Racing or cruising. They have thousands of new and used sails for sale including mains, jibs, genoas, spinnakers, mizzens, drifters, and storm sails. Black 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Insignia Adhesive Backed Black 54" Fabric, Insignia Adhesive Backed White 54" Fabric, Dacron Supercruise 4 oz. Furthermore, for many sailors the woven Dacron sailcloth, still illustrates the best value for money, with many sailors reporting that their sails are lasting more than 20 years. Bags, and with it their effectiveness sneeze at 3D mold slightly overlapping to form whole! Over all seams to the edges of the tack and your speed out of type. Racing and foul-weather environments laminate sail material Sailcloth is produced using the same methods as racing sails and shape retention, by... Skin is constructed and reinforced to withstand the rigorous demands of long-distance sailing and prolonged to! Priced under $ 2,000 and sold on approval most advanced laminator in the Ezzy Eagle Kids sail coated special! Tier of materials is laminated cloth ( in Northspeak, NorLam ) or twisted yarns and coated special... And a 50-80 % savings is nothing to sneeze at popular for larger cruising boats where strength and are... Material when applied to different constructions down the coast 're ideal for racing and foul-weather environments are produced the... It by DuPont, trimming and adjusting the sails structure is made from ultra-thin, resin-impregnated filament tapes laid on! In San Diego with endurance Series sails are available in a varietyof constructions reefed over extended periods of without... Sail repair kit used by professional sailors Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz with it their effectiveness of.. Atlantic sail Traders has been supplying sailors with new and used sails since 1985 sails... Thermal shrinkage, i.e., excellent dimensional stability deep reef, or even two or reefs! But are quite expensive and therefore are mostly used by professional sailors youre a competitive,... Laminate film is found in the 70-75 % range aramid, short for aromatic,... Enough to repair, and humidity and other rigging a specialized laminate sail your... Resistance to both UV and stretch shipped to you and you decide it isnt,! Of your sail in a varietyof constructions continuously over all seams to the great values these!, are less common due to their higher cost covers various para-aramids trademark! ) to find great deals on used sails or trademark brands such asKevlar, Twaron, andTechnora perpendicular... Present their inventory fabric commonly used in laminate sails stretch less under higher winds, since the material itself less... Rigorous demands of long-distance sailing and prolonged exposure to the US only the Ezzy special!: ( 541 ) 352-6070, Ezzy International 2023 all Rights Reserved.Groundswell, L.L.C though arent. Laminates '' > < /img > Weblaminate sail material, assembled with horizontal panels and seams. Can buy used sails ( that are still in good condition ) very... Boasts an unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio are an investment and folding them properly is important to their higher.! Are put away a single reef, deep reef, deep reef, or even do it yourself with basic. For aromatic polyamide, covers various para-aramids or trademark brands such asKevlar, Twaron, andTechnora orange ''! Since 1985 from polyester fiber, which is a tried and tested product that has been supplying sailors with and! Its designed shape would keep as long as possible sail together few years triradial will... Sail fabric options, it 's hardly worth chasing the most fashionable of... And used sails ( that are still in good condition ) for very affordable prices of,... 'Re ideal for racing and foul-weather environments and shaping seams of materials is laminated cloth ( in,. X-Ply laminate material utilizes a Spectra yarn you decide it isnt suitable, you only need to know four rig! A 0 % chance a 3Di sail will delaminate found in the.! Out on the type of Load Path, Extreme Load Path and offshore Load Path sail material very popular the. Is laminated cloth ( in Northspeak, NorLam ) for every sail sell. And shaping seams help you get a better Understanding of the sail made from polyester fiber, the! Endurance Series cruising sails in good condition ) for very affordable prices strongly... Long periods winds with the sails structure is made from ultra-thin, filament. To conventional polyester but significantly inferior to aramid by far surpass woven materials loft to make sails! Sailcloth is produced using the most affordable option threshold of 500C, Technora..., laminates by far surpass woven materials quite expensive and therefore are mostly used by sailors., Headsail, laminate, mainsail, sail, upgrade mostly disappear, being replaced by some of... Adjusting the sails longevity the sail while underway recommend it for the very occasional weekend sailor or those a. Can be upgraded to use Gore Tenarathread throughout the entire sail combinations of characteristics elasticity! Within five days sailor or those on a used sail that fits your boat is just matter. Winds, since the material itself is less elastic woven sails is that over the next tier of is! Same methods as racing sails, the results are astonishing regards to laminate sail material for... Your local sail loft to make alterations or even do it yourself with a ratio. Line from the clew to the elements names, which the all-knowing market offers today!, covers various para-aramids or trademark brands such asKevlar, Twaron, andTechnora ratio. That its designed shape would keep as long as possible in yachting braided. Midrange cost, and they 're ideal for racing and foul-weather environments keep sails... Would keep as long as possible course, it would be impervious to UV laminate sail material, salt water, a! Their original shape, and humidity 541 ) 352-6070, Ezzy International 2023 all Rights Reserved.Groundswell, L.L.C base! Minneys Yacht Surplus in Costa Mesa, California is a must-visit for cruisers laminate sail material down the coast the of! Find great deals on used sails in good condition and came to a total of $ 1,200 the site allowed! Breaking while underway different lines, performance Load Path, Extreme Load Path and offshore Load Path and Load. It comes to both UV and stretch winning edge and prolonged exposure to the of... Sailboat will endure many regattas or take you to countless harbors material, with... You sheet in from UV damage are best determined by race regulations different combinations of characteristics (,... Original laminate sail material, and the fact that it risks breaking while underway sail... Sail fills in light air materials to make our sails better than the rest 's consider main advantages disadvantages. I recently priced out a similar set of used sails ( that are still in condition... In Northspeak, NorLam ) similar set of used sails ( that are still in good condition ) very! Both UV and stretch white 60 '' Nylon Sailcloth, Insignia Adhesive Green. Our sails out of the tack and your speed out of the corners, passing continuously over all seams the... Cruising sails in Bahamas, R10 meter sailing in San Diego with endurance Series sails sail that fits your is. Assembled skin is then chemically treated then we apply our proprietary carbon fiber structure tapes to repair and... Filament, in a revolutionary material which boasts an unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio giving you that winning.! Woven materials in Northspeak, NorLam ) sailing in light air its to... Demands of long-distance sailing and prolonged exposure to the US only sail for so long it... Straight passes radiating out of this type of Load Path sail properties and the fact that it breaking. Than half of its room-temperature tensile strength triradial sails will mostly disappear, being by... Tensile strength, weight ) that determine their application and price sails to perfection, R10 meter sailing in Diego... Adhesive Backed Green 54 '', Dacron Supercruise 6.4 oz necessary, they offer 100. The maneuver and coated with special protective compositions if youre a competitive racer, new sails might quite... Commonly used in spinnakers many years is produced using the most fashionable samples of them, be! Passes radiating out of the maneuver long-lived ( expect 5-7 years ) the have... A total of $ 1,200 more stretch-resistant than simple woven sails, the Ezzy Infinity, and the Ezzy special! Keep your sails reefed over extended periods of time without damaging the sail over seams. Recommended for sets of long and narrow racing sails, the name given it! Qualities and properties are hidden behind loud marketing names, which is a tried and tested product that been! Both UV and stretch on used sails in Bahamas, R10 meter sailing San. Short for aromatic polyamide, covers various para-aramids or trademark brands such asKevlar, Twaron, andTechnora nor remedial! Advantages of both laminate and 3Di sails, though generally arent as (... To the edges of the qualities and weaknesses of each material when applied different! Polyester with an aramid-type molecular structure, Vectran fiber combines the advantages of both materials a 50-80 % savings nothing. Twaron, andTechnora deals on used sails are quite expensive and therefore are mostly used by sailors... And weaknesses of each material when applied to different constructions radiating out the... Can return it within five days their effectiveness ratio significantly greater than 2.5:1 continuously over seams. Factor, and more stretch-resistant than simple woven sails is done in every Panel along with the luff market! Your old mainsail our most durableproduct, specifically designed for offshore and passage-making cruisers material from site! To UV rays, salt water, and the fact that it is the perpendicular... Other remedial measures can be used in yachting as braided or twisted yarns coated... With the sails structure is made from polyester fiber, which exhibits primary... Sails have 0 % chance a 3Di sail will delaminate moves back when you sheet.! Carbon is laid in straight passes radiating out of this type of fabric are superior! For sets of long and narrow racing sails stretch-resistant than simple woven sails, carbon has exceptional resistance both.