Looking to buy some race sails. We have a limited budget. We plan to buy a new mainsail (hi-tech something) The question came up about the possibility of a roller furling race sail using some high-tech materiel. Is there such a thing? We have a limited budget but want to do our best on race night and is some regattas. Cheers
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Hi tech racing sails and low budget are opposite ends of the spectrum. Either you want hi-tech or you want budget. You don't mention what size boat you have but let's say a budget dacron sail costs $1500. The same hi-tech kevlar racing sail will surely double that price. You need to decide which is more important to you.
racing sails
You can have a racing sail made from high tech materials, we have a pentax 155%, (next step up from Decron) and have a made for a furler. But the problem you run into is that, most all high tech materials should not be left out in the sun. so you need to take it down.
You can have a racing sail made from high tech materials, we have a pentax 155%, (next step up from Decron) and have a made for a furler. But the problem you run into is that, most all high tech materials should not be left out in the sun. so you need to take it down.
Roller Furler vs Racing Cut Sail
I assume you are only considering a roller furler Genoa, not a mainsail. That said, if you have a furler for say a dacron 110 and are thinking seriously about racing, just get a rce cut mylar headsail and use the the foil on the furler just as you would any Tuff-Luff foil to hoist and drop the race cut Genoa. And Alan is right; high tech racing material and triradial or tape drive technology are more expensive than a dacron roller furler of the same size.
I assume you are only considering a roller furler Genoa, not a mainsail. That said, if you have a furler for say a dacron 110 and are thinking seriously about racing, just get a rce cut mylar headsail and use the the foil on the furler just as you would any Tuff-Luff foil to hoist and drop the race cut Genoa. And Alan is right; high tech racing material and triradial or tape drive technology are more expensive than a dacron roller furler of the same size.
What kind of sailing are you going to do?
If you are only racing once or twice a season with your club you don't need a racing sail. If you are just daysailing you don't need a racing sail. If you are crusing (coastal or blue water) you don't want a racing sail. In fact unless you are going to be racing you realy don't need a racing sail. Save your money for your other boat problems or beer.
If you are only racing once or twice a season with your club you don't need a racing sail. If you are just daysailing you don't need a racing sail. If you are crusing (coastal or blue water) you don't want a racing sail. In fact unless you are going to be racing you realy don't need a racing sail. Save your money for your other boat problems or beer.
High tech alternative
FWIW we went with Challenge Pinstripe sailcloth for our 150% genoa on a Peterson 34. We haven't had an opportunity to try the new sail yet, but talking to Challenge and the sailmaker indicate the cloth has the benefit about being dacron and having kevlar interwoven in the dacron to control stretch. Our criteria was an afordable high performance sail with a long life.
FWIW we went with Challenge Pinstripe sailcloth for our 150% genoa on a Peterson 34. We haven't had an opportunity to try the new sail yet, but talking to Challenge and the sailmaker indicate the cloth has the benefit about being dacron and having kevlar interwoven in the dacron to control stretch. Our criteria was an afordable high performance sail with a long life.
Depends on the fleet
If you are talking about going against hot boats with high tech gear, then break out the big bucks because there is no other way to compete and forget the roller. If you are dealing with older, cruising-oriented boats then you can give a decent account of yourselves with a new dacron roller from a good loft. Freshness and condition mean everything within the parameters of what the material can offer. The law of diminishing returns kicks in once you go past dacron - you can gain 10% but at double the price and half the life. So it becomes a question of how fast you can afford to go, with each increment becoming more and more expensive. I bought a good dacron 150 roller three years ago, have raced it about 50 times since then (short 3 to 7 mi races, mostly), have taken good care of it, and it still shapes well and gets us near the front. If you have much light air, go for a sacrificial UV strip rather than the heavier Sunbrella, as it will make a big difference in leech shape in light air.
If you are talking about going against hot boats with high tech gear, then break out the big bucks because there is no other way to compete and forget the roller. If you are dealing with older, cruising-oriented boats then you can give a decent account of yourselves with a new dacron roller from a good loft. Freshness and condition mean everything within the parameters of what the material can offer. The law of diminishing returns kicks in once you go past dacron - you can gain 10% but at double the price and half the life. So it becomes a question of how fast you can afford to go, with each increment becoming more and more expensive. I bought a good dacron 150 roller three years ago, have raced it about 50 times since then (short 3 to 7 mi races, mostly), have taken good care of it, and it still shapes well and gets us near the front. If you have much light air, go for a sacrificial UV strip rather than the heavier Sunbrella, as it will make a big difference in leech shape in light air.
High Tech / Low tech
I was looking to add a 155% Genoa to my sail inventory. I'm using a furler as well. The cost for dacron was almost the same as going with a simple laminate. I went with a little more, nothing over the top, a taffeta/film/scrim/film/taffeta from Doyle. Should have decent wear, hold its shape longer than than the dacron, and a boost in performance. I'm not racing every week, but wanted a little bit more for the couple of races that I do enter. Hope to have the sail in a few weeks, I'll let you know how I like it once I get it on the boat. T J
I was looking to add a 155% Genoa to my sail inventory. I'm using a furler as well. The cost for dacron was almost the same as going with a simple laminate. I went with a little more, nothing over the top, a taffeta/film/scrim/film/taffeta from Doyle. Should have decent wear, hold its shape longer than than the dacron, and a boost in performance. I'm not racing every week, but wanted a little bit more for the couple of races that I do enter. Hope to have the sail in a few weeks, I'll let you know how I like it once I get it on the boat. T J
You don't have to spend alot
to get alot. My friend and I have matching Cal 29. He replaced his main (I know you looking for a headsail) with a new Dacron from the sail warehouse for about $1,300. I replaced my main with a lamenent sail from Sobstad Sails for $1,680. The difference it makes is amazing. Under main alone he can't keep up. I'm about to order a new furling headsail from Sobstad and can't wait to get it. I'll use a sail sock to cover the sail when furled that will be hoisted up using the spinaker halyard. Give Sobstad a call for a quote, you may be pleasantly suprised at the price and the performance. Ken
to get alot. My friend and I have matching Cal 29. He replaced his main (I know you looking for a headsail) with a new Dacron from the sail warehouse for about $1,300. I replaced my main with a lamenent sail from Sobstad Sails for $1,680. The difference it makes is amazing. Under main alone he can't keep up. I'm about to order a new furling headsail from Sobstad and can't wait to get it. I'll use a sail sock to cover the sail when furled that will be hoisted up using the spinaker halyard. Give Sobstad a call for a quote, you may be pleasantly suprised at the price and the performance. Ken
options
Ask your sailmaker these questions too! They will be able to point you in the right direction for budget vs performance. Ask about vertical battens in your jib as well (assuming they are allowed on your type of boat). The posts about racing sails and low budget being polar opposites are absolutely true if you want to win in a competative environ... that being said, if you have reasonable sails (new dacron will work if you are willing to replace it often enough!) and good skills and a decent handicap rating, you'll show up. I wouldn't put 3dl's or tape drives on a part time racer, but pentex (sp?) might be a good compromise. Don't forget that boat handling and local knowledge count for a lot too! B
Ask your sailmaker these questions too! They will be able to point you in the right direction for budget vs performance. Ask about vertical battens in your jib as well (assuming they are allowed on your type of boat). The posts about racing sails and low budget being polar opposites are absolutely true if you want to win in a competative environ... that being said, if you have reasonable sails (new dacron will work if you are willing to replace it often enough!) and good skills and a decent handicap rating, you'll show up. I wouldn't put 3dl's or tape drives on a part time racer, but pentex (sp?) might be a good compromise. Don't forget that boat handling and local knowledge count for a lot too! B
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