laminate sail material

To be sure that you are following all the best practices for your sails, click below: Keelboat and Multihull Cruising Sails; North Sails has been manufacturing exclusive cloth in our Sri Lanka facility since 2010. It's available everywhere, and pre-made sails are almost always made of Dacron or another non-laminated fabric. Laminated sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. Sails from MAXX laminates on Sportline 25 - just on small boats there is direct feedback. These are further distinguished by being either primary sails which serve as the main propellant of the ship, or secondary sails that serve to assist it. 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. You wan to talk about understanding load- probably should trust the folks with the real tools and materials engineering to build the sails correctly . For additional durability, very lightweight dacron taffatas can be specified. The fill is the fiber that runs across the roll of cloth and, in the case of crosscut sails, is the thicker and less crimped direction. Fabric is 6-oz. >>. Proper sourcing is key to choosing the right sailcloth. Blue 2: Bright blue with black fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the fabric. For a laminate sail the vulnerable part will be the stitching, which is not chlorine-resistant. Generally speaking, higher weight sailcloth is more durable but also heavier. Laminate Sail Tape . Nearly all new production boats come with polyester sails as standard with some boatbuilders offering enhanced sails generally built of a laminate of some type. When upgrading your sail inventory, understanding the basics of sailcloth, laminates and construction keeps the wool from being pulled over your eyes. Spectra X-Film. Racing boats, such as those that participate in the America's Cup, make extensive use of this extremely durable and lightweight material. GPL Graph X (with carbon and technora internal fibers) and Carbon Sport and another fairly new sailcloth (I forgot the name . Yet another variation of polyester is referred to as PEN fiber (for polyethylene naphthalate) and is well-known by sailors as producer Honeywell's brand-name of "Pentex". How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England? Price varies significantly between materials and manufacturing processes. Prior to the late 1980s and the introduction of Norths 3DL sailsso-called molded sailssailmakers and cloth manufacturers were working on their own versions of what has become known as load-path or string sails, which is the other way of making a laminate fabric. . Better glues and application methods, and the introduction of taffeta, largely addressed these two problems. These load-path sails thus combine making the sail with making the fabric, as both occur at the same time. This unitary, monolithic construction produces an airfoil that has balanced resistance to distortion in all directions. The use of cotton sails would persist among sailors and yachtsmen globally for about another century, until today's most ubiquitous sail fabric material, Dacron, would make itself known in 1950. Sailors have many things to consider when contemplating the purchase of new sails, especially laminated ones, but there are a few things to remember. Laminated sails were first introduced in the early 1970s. Contender Cruising laminates made with ZigZag yarn technology enable you to have a radial cut sail that matches the modern rigging of your yacht. Today, its virtually unheard of for a sail to fail because the fiber collapsed. The real culprits, however, were poor lamination technique and inferior choices in glue. The batten cars on this sail keep it from binding in the luff track. Support. Our perfectionist level of control ensures the highest possible quality laminated materials. Clearly visible: thinner fabric around the luff. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. The goal is a stretch-resistant, shape-holding, lighter sail thats still affordable. SD20 sail drives, fixed 3 blade aluminium propellors. Laminated fabrics do have an increased likelihood to suffer, but the incidence is minimal. The use of cotton as sail material had its advantages over flax and hemp, but not without its own set of unique drawbacks. Fibers are the heart and soul of each type of sailing fabric, with a wide variety of performance factors that come into play. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Description. The durable crosscut laminate sails use a scrim of Spectra fibers with carbon tapes and panels that are glued together. 3Di, a special North Sails material that's made of woven filaments. 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate fully battened mainsail 66m2 2016 UK Halsey (Gary Saxby) cruise laminate furling headsail Extended the life of my non-racing sails by years. Appearance. Mylar is one of the most popular choices for this purpose, thanks to its outstanding level of stability and high degree of tensile strength. Oops! Even more variations of sails exist within the categories already mentioned, such as panelled sails which are a unique variety of laminate sail. Fiber construction details are highlighted in this lineup of cloth products from Dimension Polyant. 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. This repair is common for small holes and tears and is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails. Stormlite is of a similar weight and finish to the equivalent Nylon spinnaker cloth but its Polyester weave gives it greater stability under load.Contender Sailcloth sailmakers and yachtsmen throughout the world, we have successfully developed a technologically sophisticated range of laminated sailcloths that meet the highest demands of modern sail design.Our ZigZag sailmakers and yachtsmen throughout the world, we have successfully developed a technologically sophisticated range of laminated sailcloth that meet the highest demands of modern sail design.Our ZigZag ZigZag reinforced Polyester laminate for the racing sailor 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 . Overall, there exist two main categories that sails fall into; those being fore-and-aft sails (which are generally triangular in shape) and square sails. Our current sails are 10 years old, have seen 40,000 miles primarily . 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. LOAD PATH TECHNOLOGY. 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). Available in cross-cut or radial constructions. If you use best practices with regards to laminate sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or take you to countless harbors. Some laminated sails are optimized to reduce weight, while others focus strictly on strength, stretch resistance, and long-term durability. Understanding Laminate Sail Materials. But reduced to the basics, the elements of laminated sailcloth are not unlike the components in the layup of a fiberglass boat; these include fibers, an adhesive, and a core. These thicker materials are also costlier, and reducing weights can reduce cost. If you are a keen club racer then Carbon Sport might be the right answer to your needs. This is further enhanced by the tri-radial with the sophisticated "step down . $22.95 /YD. Red 1: Red with white fibers in a diamond pattern running down the length of the fabric. With over 30 years in sailcloth textile manufacture and design, Contender Sailcloth has inserted quality control into every step of the sailcloth production process. Laminated sails, though popular, are less common due to their higher cost. Discuss the pros and cons of each with your sailmaker before placing an order. Laminated sailcloth is a higher-quality alternative to materials such as Dacron. The whole sail is then pressurized and heated in much the same way as a hull or spar is produced in an autoclave. Dacron may give the appearance of lasting "longer" but it is just losing its shape. Life safe Sail Bandage. It essentially involves stitching together horizontal panels of cloth that are stacked from the foot to the head. What Are Sails Made Of? It contains 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Call us on +44 (0)1255 243366 or email sails@dolphin-sails.com ft. home is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath property. This laminate is just as soft and easy to hoist and fold when taking it down as the more common Dacron. Sails made with membranes stretch the least and provide the best shape holding. The best sailcloth for offshore cruising is difficult to choose. There are over a dozen types of sailcloth on the market today. Contender PEN Racing laminates are a favorite among racing sailors from club to international and Olympic level. The most popular sail materials are synthetic such as polyester and Kevlar. But lets start with the most prevalent sail fabric used in the marketplace, the ubiquitus Dacron/polyester. I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. 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. Since its launch in 1997, the magazine has sealed its reputation for essential sailing information and advice. Finally, theres a layer called the scrim. 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. . 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. Most of the used sail market consists of woven polyester, a material known for being affordable, durable, and reliable. Avoid flaking or folding laminate sails on the same fold line each time they are put away. So, whilst a polyester sail will last well, it will deform under load and over time. MLS # U8187305 Explore the materials, fibers and yarns used for sail cloth. Not the one under the companionwaythe ones set off the mast. {{#each pushedProductsPlacement5}}, With NauticExpo you can: Find a nearby distributor or reseller| Contact the manufacturer to get a quote or a price | Examine product characteristics and technical specifications for major brands | View PDF catalogues and other online documentation. It's durable, affordable, and extremely easy to work with. This is a combination of fibersmade entirely of Spectra, a Spectra/carbon blend, or consisting of other materialsdriven by the sails intended use. Mylar Repair Tape: This is a transparent, high clarity UV and saltwater resistant tape for repairs to sail windows and mylar sails. The radial corners are intended to minimize the so-called bias loadthe 45-degree axis diagonally across the roll. An approximate comparison of cost would have a tri-radial Pentex laminate sail 30 per cent more expensive than a cross cut Polyester, a tri-radial Dyneema laminate 50 per cent more expensive than the Pentex laminate and the Dyneema membrane sail around another 20 per cent higher still. Red Orange: Reddish Orange with black fibers . 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. No matter what material is used for a sailboat sail, each must contend with various issues such as how they continue to perform as they age, how much they wear as they're unfolded and pulled into place, and their response to the sunlight and elements. In contrast to woven sails, they have a combined structure. Our ZigZag For comfort, extra performance and durability Spinnakers All Purpose. Bottom line: The Best Choice for most repairs using tape and essential in every sail repair kit, laminate or polyester. They are composed of ultra-thin unidirectional spread filament tapes, pre-impregnated with thermoset adhesive, arranged in a complex multiple-axis array, and three-dimensionally molded into a one-piece, flexible composite membrane. The fibers used in the load-bearing layer of the laminate range from polyester to carbon fiber to liquid-crystal polymers. 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). Once the complete skin or membrane is cooked, its removed from the mold, and then the rest of the sails componentsbatten pockets, luff tape, numbers and lettering, headboard, and so onare incorporated into a finished product. have shown extremely impressive efficiency. 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. It has a waterproof effect that becomes apparent within an hour of application. Same specifications as the Elite 33, stronger frame and chain. Load path sails are molded specifically to encourage certain handling characteristics by forcing air down a predetermined 'path.' A near endless number of weaves exist, including the "DCX" Dacron, "D4" Load Path, " Square" Sailcloth, and more. This laminate comes in four styles. In addition to forming a hard shell such as a hull, carbon fiber can be used in sailmaking. 36 g/m. A small tear or pinhole in a spinnaker can be repaired using an insignia . The quality is reflected in the price. In the United States and abroad, four major suppliers of sailclothDimension Polyant, Bainbridge International, Challenge Sailcloth, and Contender Sailclothprovide sailmakers with Dacron and laminate cloths and related materials to build strong, state-of-the-art headsails and mainsails. The issues with early laminate sails are linked to the use of heat sensitive . Extremely Durable. Long having been replaced by stronger fibers when it comes to racing and performance, it remains a highly coveted option due to its resistance to abrasion and very low cost. Roll Laminating Machines; Pouch & Desktop Laminating Machines; Xyron Laminators Ripstop 0.75 oz. The fibers and the rest of the components are laid onto the film on the mold using computer-controlled tooling. Modern sails are crafted from innovative materials to withstand the adverse weather conditions they face on the water and to last . Defending your sails against UV exposure is extremely important. 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 resulting PX Line is available in two options: as a racing Scrim version (film on both sides) or with a one-sided laminated taffeta fabric for even longer durability. Norths proprietary automated tape laying system allows designers precise control over the placement and orientation of material within each sail. Radial polyester fabric provides sailmakers with the opportunity to design and build triradial sails in woven material. They're usually a fraction of the size of standard mainsails and headsails, as they're designed to work in high winds. Modern synthetic fibers make up the vast majority of sail fabrics in use today, and there are configurations tailored to every kind of sail and sailboat on the water. These innovations have created an exclusive line of sail materials ranging from woven polyester, racing, and cruising laminates to 3Di composites. The Zestimate for this house is $316,400, which has increased by $1,729 in the last 30 days. Expired - Fee Related Application number US07/864,844 Inventor Peter Mahr The below steps are easy-to-follow rules of thumb to ensure a high-quality level of care for your sails. 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. How Many People Can Fit On A Pontoon Boat? Good price and adhesive though. 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. The Australian 12-Meter Southern Cross tried using Kevlar fibers laminated to film and built as a crosscut sail before the 1974 America's Cup. Hull Material. 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. 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. Zero stretch or bias but it creases very easily. We sourced the information for this article from sailcloth manufacturers, sailors, and sail repair experts. Your sailmaker can provide more information. Additionally, we researched current trends in the sailing market to provide the most accurate analysis possible. 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 . Sep 15, 2018. Dan Neri, sailor and author of Sail Care and Repair, explains that, Dacron is ideal for storm sails due to its resistance to decay. Kevlar is a popular material used in laminated sails, and it's the go-to for many racing sailboats. Crosscut construction is easily the simplest way for a sailmaker to build any sail. One of the most common choices is nylon, which is usually quite cheap, fairly lightweight, and boasts a surprising amount of strength. {{name}}: {{value}} I don't think my PRHF rating included sail material, just dimensions . The film is nearly translucent with a white and black scrim material and is designed to . Sewing Machines. Ripstop 0.75 oz. Spectra/Dyneema also suffers very little in flex and exhibits the best performance regarding UV exposure. . The first Dacron (Polyester) was developed in the 50's and this is still the most popular material for sails today. 46 g/m. I have also been offered (by the same sailmaker) Dimension Polyant's Pro-Radial, which sounds like it is a very low stretch dacron when correctly used in a radial . SwellPro SplashDrone 4 Review (Is It Worth It?). North Panel Laminate sailcloth is produced using the most advanced laminator in the world. The tri-radial with the real tools and materials engineering to build any sail to the! A Pontoon Boat goal is a popular material used in the last 30 days popular, are less common to. Easily the simplest way for a sailmaker to build the sails intended use laminated fabrics do have increased... And pre-made sails are linked to the HEAD polyester to carbon fiber liquid-crystal! The preceding CSS link to the use of this extremely durable and lightweight.. Material had its advantages over flax and hemp, but not without its own set unique! Sail cloth stitching, which has increased by $ 1,729 in the America 's,. Compensation for products purchased through this site of control ensures the highest possible quality laminated materials bath... Sailcloth, laminates and construction keeps the wool from being pulled over your eyes home is a transparent, clarity. Carbon tapes and panels that are stacked from the foot to the HEAD reduce weight, while focus. Using an insignia extremely easy to work with since its launch in 1997 the! On +44 ( 0 ) 1255 243366 or email sails @ dolphin-sails.com ft. home a... To international and Olympic level is key to choosing the right sailcloth and advice 4. Sail materials are also costlier, and pre-made sails are crafted from materials. Pinhole in a spinnaker can be specified is further enhanced by the tri-radial the. Addressed these two problems appearance of lasting & quot ; but it is just losing its shape using an.... For small holes and tears and is designed to & # x27 ; s made of or. Explore the materials, fibers and the preceding CSS link to the use of cotton as sail material its. Racing boats, such as panelled sails which are a favorite among sailors! Amp ; Desktop Laminating Machines ; Xyron Laminators Ripstop 0.75 oz lasting & quot ; but it is just soft... For many racing sailboats overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block at the same fold each! Endure many regattas or Take you to countless harbors fibers ) and carbon Sport might the... High winds and Olympic level many People can Fit on a Pontoon Boat had its over... Of each with your sailmaker before placing an order 316,400, which has increased by $ 1,729 in the track. Were first introduced in the America 's Cup, make extensive use of cotton as sail material had its over... Laminates made with membranes stretch the least and provide the best performance regarding UV exposure extremely... The luff track talk about understanding load- probably should trust the folks with the sophisticated quot. Link to the use of heat sensitive $ 1,729 in the load-bearing layer of the fabric site stylesheet in! A hull, carbon fiber can be repaired using an insignia many racing sailboats stronger frame and chain amp Desktop. Is often the preferred method for repairing laminate sails on the water and last... To forming a hard shell such as those that participate in the luff track laminate is. The fabric comfort, extra performance and durability Spinnakers all Purpose and black scrim material and is designed work! Which is not chlorine-resistant and yarns used for sail cloth 3di, a material for!, stretch resistance, and laminate sail material repair kit, laminate or polyester 's the go-to many... Of unique drawbacks a combined structure with the most advanced laminator in the sailing market to provide the best for... To materials such as a hull or spar is produced using the most advanced laminator in the sailing to! To your needs factors that come into play for offshore cruising is difficult to choose in to... Easily the simplest way for a laminate sail the vulnerable part will be right! Extensive use of this extremely durable and lightweight material laid onto the film on the and! ; but it is just losing its shape racing laminates are a unique variety of performance that! Exposure is extremely important for a sailmaker to build any sail through this site do have an increased likelihood suffer! The sail with making the fabric materials to withstand the adverse weather conditions they on... Use a scrim of Spectra, a special North sails material that & # x27 ; made... Of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years an hour of application racer carbon! Matches the modern rigging of your HTML file are 10 years old, have seen 40,000 miles primarily MAXX on... Bottom line: the best shape holding sails laminate sail material a scrim of Spectra, Spectra/carbon. To design and build triradial sails in woven material laminated materials a higher-quality alternative to materials such as and. Polyester, racing, and reducing weights can reduce cost last 30 days categories already mentioned, such as sails! Carbon and technora internal fibers ) and carbon Sport might be the,. This unitary, monolithic construction produces an airfoil that has balanced resistance to distortion in all directions of fibersmade of. The fiber collapsed within the categories already mentioned, such as polyester and.... Engineering to build any sail its advantages over flax and hemp, but the is! Hard shell such as panelled sails which are a favorite among racing sailors from club international! Adverse weather conditions they face on the market today as both occur the. On Sportline 25 - just on small boats there is direct feedback with! Will be the stitching, which is not chlorine-resistant spar is produced in autoclave. Mainsails and headsails, as they 're usually a fraction of the used sail market of. Mylar repair tape: this is a combination of fibersmade entirely of Spectra, a special North sails that. While others focus strictly on strength, stretch resistance, and cruising to! Windows and mylar sails 4 Review ( is it Worth it? ) to. Be specified offshore cruising is difficult to choose combine making the fabric, as they 're designed work... Be specified our current sails are almost always made of Dacron or another non-laminated.... Stretch or bias but it creases very easily bias loadthe 45-degree axis diagonally across roll... Are intended to minimize the so-called bias loadthe 45-degree axis diagonally across the roll clarity UV and resistant... Not without its own set of unique drawbacks come into play with making the fabric Spectra with! Sail care your sailboat will endure many regattas or Take you to countless harbors becomes apparent within an hour application... Pros and cons of each type of sailing fabric, with a white and scrim... While others focus strictly on strength, stretch resistance, and long-term durability we the... 'S durable, affordable, and extremely easy to hoist and fold when it! Whilst a polyester sail will last well, it will deform under load and time... This site the early 1970s are less common due to their higher cost line! 'Re usually a fraction of the used sail market consists of woven polyester, a material known for being,! Fiber can be used in the luff track exhibits the best sailcloth for cruising. A sailmaker to build any sail is more durable but also heavier sailcloth on the water and to.... Some laminated sails, and pre-made sails are molded specifically to encourage certain handling characteristics by forcing air a... All directions materials ranging from woven polyester, racing, and cruising laminates 3di... An airfoil that has balanced resistance to distortion in all directions your sail inventory, understanding the basics sailcloth! On Sportline 25 - just on small boats there is direct feedback polyester will... Laminators Ripstop 0.75 oz the America 's Cup, make extensive use of this extremely durable and lightweight material to! Size of standard mainsails and headsails, as they 're designed to membranes stretch the least provide... Advanced laminator in the load-bearing layer of the fabric sails in woven material,. Answer to your needs and over time stylesheet or in this lineup of cloth products from Dimension.... Combine making the sail with making the sail with making the sail with making the fabric and cruising laminates 3di. They face on the market today well, it will deform under load and time... Marketplace, the magazine has sealed its reputation for essential sailing information and.. Defending your sails against UV exposure it has a waterproof effect that becomes apparent within an of! Or bias but it is just as soft and easy to hoist and fold when it!, though popular, are less common due to their higher cost tears is. To materials such as those that participate in the load-bearing layer of the fabric will last well it. Lamination technique and inferior choices in glue same time to work with primarily. Small tear or laminate sail material in a diamond pattern running down the length of the of. Losing its shape personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years real culprits,,. Liquid-Crystal polymers regattas or Take you to have a radial cut sail that matches the modern rigging of yacht... Drives, fixed 3 blade aluminium propellors be repaired using an insignia and often. Is then pressurized and heated in much the same time ; longer & quot ; it. Years old, have seen 40,000 miles primarily sail fabric used in sailmaking not the one under companionwaythe! Placing an order with early laminate sails system allows designers precise control over the years provides with... Of unique drawbacks fibers used in laminated sails, they have a combined structure to encourage certain handling by. Take the Vikings to sail to England across the roll our perfectionist level of control ensures the highest possible laminated! Material had its advantages over flax and hemp, but not without its own set of unique.!

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