Cross cut, bi-radial, tri-radial ??

[Allen]

Bill,Thanks in advance for being part of the forum. I have a quick question about the advantages of cross cut, bi-radial & tri-radial sails: I'm about to get a new main (from Doyle in Marblehead) and they said I should get a cross cut main and not bother with a tri-radial. This is the same person who sold me a bi-radial genoa a few years back (which I really like).It seems that tri-radial designs offer more benefit for headsails than mainsails. Why is that? I want to get the best sail for my boat & I'm not sure which one is better for me.I primarily cruise but also enter 2 to 3 races each year.Thanks,Allen Schweitzers/v FalstaffCatalina 30, Hull #632

 

[Bill Colombo]

Crosscut vs Radial

Allen, The decision on whether to choose crosscut vs. radial construction has alot to do with cloth selection. For example, just about every laminate style cloth is warp-oriented(stronger in the "long" direction) and thus requires a radial layout. Woven dacron sailcloth is usually "fill"(stronger in the 'short' direction) oriented and lends itself to crosscut construction. There are some very good balanced dacron styles that can be used either way. For mainsails most of the best cloth is designed for crosscut sails. This has the added advantage when reefing in that you retain the same threadline orientation as when fully hoisted. A triradial main goes "off threadline " when reefed. Headsails work well either crosscut or radial, however if you are going to reef your genoa with your furler, stick with a biradial design as opposed to a triradial as again you will retail proper threadline orientation when reefed.Thanks,Bill C.Doyle Sails