laminate sail material

Especially recommended for sets of long and narrow racing sails, with a height-to-base ratio significantly greater than 2.5:1. 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. It was developed at the beginning of the 1950s by the American company DuPont and was originally intended for replacing the packaging film polyethylene. Like centuries ago, they consist of longitudinal(warp) and transverse(weft) yarns tightly woven together at right angles.Thanks to it modern materials of such kind in general resist pretty well to tensile and bending loads, the more so that instead of usual linen or cotton fibers they are weaved from artificial synthetic threads, which possess the whole complex of new useful properties. This means less weight aloft so providing less heel and pitch which equals better performance. info@precisionsailloft.com- This opens in your default email application

Bags; Boxes; Upholstery Hardware. Usually, they are a main (working) mainsail and a general jib on boats with a comparatively low spars. 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. This addresses the number one reason laminate sails age-out, the films degrade long before the fibers. eBay has a wide assortment of used boat sails. 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. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, better known by its trademark namesDyneemaorSpectra,is renowned for its exceptional breaking strength.However, under permanent load, the Dyneema fibers do tend to elongate, causing the sail to lose some shape. Go green and trade them in at https://seabags.com/ . cruising cdx radial contender sailcloth Woven, laminate, and 3Di are all sailcloth constructions, and within each category, various fiber materials, such as nylon, polyester, and carbon, are used. Elasticity - depends on the initial elasticity modulus, i.e. In an area like Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where summer winds are often light, you may want to opt for a higher LP% than if you were in San Francisco Bay, where the winds blow more consistently. Stiff and highly oriented molecular structure leads to a high modulus of elasticity, low creep and low stress relaxation. So, in reality, youre saving more like 68%, which still seems like a good deal. One downside to aramid is its very poor resistance to UV damage and it is therefore often coated with other protective composites. These fully custom-made sails are a step up from laminates when it comes to both strength, shape retention, and price. Lastly, measure from where the forestay connects to the bow back to the base of the mast. At the same time they are more exposed to destructive influence of sunlight. Recognize what it is you want to achieve with your boat and how important the overall performance is to the satisfaction of you and your crew. 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. A laminate sail is a very hard-hitting construction and doesnt adjust as much through the change. Never use a sail for so long that it risks breaking while underway. They all vary in how they present their inventory. Black 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Insignia Adhesive Backed Black 54" Fabric, Insignia Adhesive Backed White 54" Fabric, Dacron Supercruise 4 oz. Shows little loss of strength even during repeated abrasion, flexing and stretching. They resist stretch, to a point, and lighter fabric can be used. Fluorescent Green 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz. There is no doubt that, when it comes to both durability and shape retention, laminates by far surpass woven materials. Most cruisers and weekend sailors opt for an LP% in the 135% range which offers plenty of flexibility for moderate sailing conditions. The well known PEN fabric Pentexis produced by Allied Signal (USA) and is mainly used for making sails for racing boats of a fixed type (for example, One Design) where the class rules do not allow the use of sails made of aramid fibres. Finding a good deal on a used sail that fits your boat is just a matter of knowing how and where to look. Eight different sailing fabrics can be used in laminate sails. UV resistance is the time in use before 50% of the original strength is lost to sunlight. Laminated sails are also a popular option, and they're generally found on more premium vessels. Deciding what LP% you want, will depend on a few factors including: Remember that these measurements are just a starting point to help you narrow down your search. However, its fairly easy to add or change out slugs and slides if you cant find a used sail that will fit your mast track. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. 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? This material was developed in the mid-1950s but entered the yachting market relatively recently. Racing laminates use a combination of film and low-stretch fibre. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. It will either be a woven fabric or a laminate. WebPolyester fabric is used both as stand-alone woven cloth and as a component in laminates. Sometimes a special layer of light fibre is applied on both sides of this sailing sandwich which additionally protects it against mechanical damage, moisture and ultra-violet radiation. The Australian 12-Meter Load-Path Sails. Sunbrella U.V. We live in a sailing era where technology is advancing at incredible speed, and when it comes to sailcloth, it can be hard to navigate the wide selection of products available on the market. Check out the: Subscribe to our mailing list and get updated with the latest Ezzy Sails news! Furling mainsails are also available second-hand if you happen to have a boom or mast that accepts a furling sail. This is mainly due to its durable and lightweight properties and the fact that it is the most affordable option. Light Blue 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 1.5 oz. So it's time to think about new laminate sails with bi- or tri-radial profile made of aramid or hydrocarbon fibers and even more modern materials. If you use best practices with regards to laminate sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or take you to countless harbors. Every Endurance sail is custom designed by the Ullman Sails Design Team to make your boat easier to sail and handle as conditions change. How (and where) to find great deals on used sails. The Tri-Lite also has 2 to 3 times better UV strength because the thinner film does not get as brittle as thicker films do when baked in the sun. 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. Whether or not this matters to you will depend on the type of sailing youre doing. The filaments used in constructing 3Di sails can be of various materials enhancing different qualities to suit different sailing applications. Pro tip: Cant find all the features youre looking for?

In general case, the body of the sail is formed of separate pieces (panels) of this or that fabric of appropriate form and size, which are placed in different ways in relation with each other. Woven fabrics, usually made of polyester (Dacron) are still to this day the most common construction for sailcloth, widely used in all sailing applications. However, as proprietary dacron becomes more expensive yachtsmen on a shoestring budget are outfitting As more budget-minded boaters are generously outfitting their boats in the same polyester material with a lighter name but cheaper price. The "Extreme" line, represents the grand prix racing approach. The material came into existence at the end of the XIX century, but in yachting came only at the end of the XXth century when it was spun into flexible yarns. Braided with a polyester filament, in a wide triaxial grid, the results are astonishing.
But, just like traditional sailcloth, 3Di sails are made using fibers or filaments (70% of the sail structure), and resin (30% of the sail structure). Deciding upon the right one usually depends on what type of sailboat you are using or your reason for sailing. Secondly, you should consider your sailing application. An analogy with the well-known laminate flooring suggests itself, all the more so because both board and sail retain their unique properties only as long as the laminate layer is intact. Registered in England No: 3574531 VAT Registration No: 711 6897 22. The standard finishing of Endurance sails are an upgraded version of Ullman Sails Navigator cruising sail. Ask Precision Sails Tags: cruising, Headsail, laminate, Mainsail, Sail, upgrade. laminate cruising bainbridge Cross cut sails produce beautifully shaped, smooth sails and are much more efficient to build. Orange 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz. If youre buying a used sail that is considerably different from your existing one, you may want to contact one of the used sail brokers below for help with fine-tuning your setup. So, if there is a large difference in price between Dacron and laminate sails, then a set of high-quality Dacron sails are still going to satisfy your needs for the long term. Main characteristics of sailing fabrics, Tensile strength, g/den* Tensile strength, g/den. Laminated sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. 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. White Sailcloth 54", Dacron Supercruise 7.4 oz. 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. These sails begin with base materials of Technora Kevlar, or Spectra, then continuous yards of Carbon Fiber, Spectra, Technora, or Kevlar are laminated to follow computer generated load maps. Yellow 60" Nylon Sailcloth, Ripstop 0.75 oz. The film restricts stretch in all directions, whereas the taffeta fabric protects the film from puncturing and chafe. 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. Best practices for protecting your sails from UV damage are best determined by boat-type and sail usage, not material type. They have thousands of new and used sails for sale including mains, jibs, genoas, spinnakers, mizzens, drifters, and storm sails. Laminated sails are a step up from dacron. By clicking "Send" you confirm that you have read and agree with our Privacy Policy and give consent to process personal data. So, compared to Dacron sails you can expect more speed out of your tack, therefore all-around better performance. As a result, the deepest part of the sail (the so-called belly) gradually shifts backwards. But this added performance often comes with a higher price point. According to North Sails, woven polyester sailcloth has a performance life that is less than half of its ultimate life.

This starts with the material the sail is made from. 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. WebThe laminate is designed in a range of weights and strengths according to boat size up to 50 feet. A huge advantage of 3Di sails is that it does not require the use of mylar film, making the 3Di sail superior to laminates in weight and longevity as there is no concern for delamination. Worth the upgrade? For cruising laminates these figures look to be more in the 70-75% range. Depending on how your luff attaches to the mast (e.g., slides, slugs, rope luff) youll need to know the width of your existing track or slot. 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 prolonged loads. Although performance may not be at the forefront of your mind a cheap sail, a sail made from the wrong fabric or an old sail will not allow the yacht to perform to its full potential. 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). Weblaminate sail material. These types of sails are produced using the same methods as racing sails. Thermal decomposition threshold of 500C, so Technora can be used at 200C for long periods. Nen is equivalent to the weight of 9000 m of fibre. The base sail or skin is constructed using a light and flex friendly laminate sail material, assembled with horizontal panels and shaping seams. 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. A benefit to surf sailors and swell riders, the Spectra laminate also offers improved visibility and five times the rip-stopping power of traditional x-ply laminate films. Our Spectra X-Film, with its super-tough Spectra Yarns laminated between two layers of film, has 1,000 times stronger tear strength and better UV resistance than monofilm. Their sail list is available on their website.

White Sailcloth 58", Dacron Supercruise 10.4 oz. This is due to their high durability and exceptional shape retention; attributes which are often at the top of the priority list of the avid racer. Most sail broker websites allow you to search by luff length, rig dimensions, or boat make and model (though user experience and ease of navigation vary!). As sails age, they lose both their shape and structural integrity. Such arrangement is mainly used for relatively small boats, aimed at coastal navigation and is well suited for sails with furling in the mast as well as with traditional furling methods. */. 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. Ullman Sails offers a variety of services to help you maintain the quality of your current sail inventory. These sails offer the best combinations of weight, performance, strength, and durability, with prices about 10% less than Carbon triradial cut sails. Laminate sails typically last 5-7 years before they start to de-laminate and need replacement. David Ezzys own triaxial rip-stop film that now sets the standard by which all other sail materials are measured. If you are a cruiser that is conscious about performance there is now a wide range of cruise laminates on offer. It is woven on the most modern shuttleless looms which have been specially rebuilt and reinforced to pack in the highest possible number of yarns. David Ezzys own triaxial rip-stop film that now sets the standard finishing of Endurance sails also! And it is therefore often coated with other protective composites 70-75 % range protecting your from. Balanced with your old mainsail experience possible how and where to look last 5-7 years before start! Is No doubt that, when it comes to both strength, shape retention and! 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Will a new headsail be balanced with your old mainsail? Flutter Patches at Leech of Every Seam