Mylar Sails

[Joe M.]

I am a casual racer of an older H30. My question is can you furl a Mylar sail? - I am getting conflicting info even from sailmakers.It would seem to me that if the recommended storage for Mylar is to roll it then furling would be beneficial, also when I am out racing I see many boats with furled Mylar.The second part of the question is, if Mylar can be furled, is the sacrificial piece any different then would be used on a dacron sail?Thanks for any help.Joe M.

 

[Del Wiese]

my view

I have a Hunter Legend 37 and race it. I have a roller furler 120%, with sun protection strip, that I use for 14+ knots wind. Below that I have a 135% mylar, without sun protection. I furl the mylar jib, when flying the spinnaker, but I do not leave it on the furler for more than a day's racing, or maybe a weekend, but not more.

 

[Bill Saint]

Furling Mylar Main

A Beneteau at our dock has a furling Mylar main, with "swing-battens" - made by Doyle. A very slick design and he gets great performance from it (at a very high price, I'm sure).

 

[Cliff Ruckstuhl]

Yes You Can

I am not sure who you are talikng to but all Sailmakers sell a Mylar sail that is made to go on your roller. UK Sells a Tape Drive Crusing Sail that is Mylar made for a RF. So Does Doyle on this web site. Once you go to Mylar you will never go back to Dacron. It made a beliver out of me.Cliff Ruckstuhl

 

[Tony Re]

Clif and Del are correct and let me add ..

Rolling any racing sail shortens its life! I take my roller off for All Races. I have 3DL North Sails. You can not do quick Sail Canges with a RF. Also Note the SIZE of the sail. You loose squar footage and that's why you get FREE Seconds added to your PHRF. How do you change from your largest RF sail to a BLAD if winds go to 35 ..40 KNTS? You cant ..you end up rolling it in ..and the sailshape is terrible. I can put up the Blade (#3) under or over the #1 kevlar in the double foil ..which I am sure is on you boat .and your RF sail covers the extra slot....and then PEEL the #1 under the blade ..without loosing ONE SECOND! Anyway Mylar is GREAT for your size boat ..BUT STORE IT CORRECTLY ..the sailmakers always tell you "yes you can ." But they are selling sails. A RACE Sailmaker .Like NORTH tells you NO WAY .unless you want to buy sails every year.Tony ReSkipper"Re-Treat" 40 HunterPS .I race all year with a world class crew past two years alone purchased over $30,000 of North Sails. BUT WE WIN RACES!!

 

[Kathleen]

We furl our mylar genoa

We have a hunter 26 with a roller furler, & have added a mylar genoa (about 135%) for club racing (purchased used from a J 24). We've made a "chute" out of sunbrella fabric which we haul up on the spinnaker halyard if we are going to keep it on for more than a day. Happy sailing!