Sailcloth - The Real Story

[rpwillia]

OK, I am trying to spec out a new genoa, and am not always sure what I am reading about sail cloth. When I googled, I found at http://sailmagazine.com/sail-buyers-guide/gear_ssc156.html that there are Bainbridge, Challenge, Contender and Dimension as sail cloth manufacturers. One quote mentioned they only use Challenge, but I understand there are different versions.

Is there a single guide out there to sailcloth makers, weights, etc? I am really only interested in Dacron and I am 99% cruising with the occasional beer can race.

Note I did not even get into what kinds of cuts, but I like the idea of the Cruz-Radial from Somerset Sails (using dacron), but the Quantum guy and the Mack sails site pooh pooh that idea.

 

[Jackdaw]

Most sailmakers will say that a radial cut dacron sail is slightly better in holding shape that a crosscut dacron one.. But how much more does it cost? Thats the key. The labor goes WAY up. You probably never see any difference in performance. But it does look pretty. The issue is that all dacron cloths will stretch over time, and the stretch starts right away. radial designs help a bit because the sailmaker can use high aspect cloth in the strips. It helps, but only so much.

 

[Sanfelice]

This is a good write up . The entire site is a nice tutorial. Usual disclaimer about vested interest etc..

http://www.macksails.com/sailclth.htm

 

[Bill Roosa]

If you are going to embrace the horror of sail design (aka not just leave it up to a sail maker) then I'd recommend "The Sailmakers Apprentice". Pretty much everything you would ever want to know about turning cloth into sails. Includes sail design theory, construction techniques, and sail repair. the first time I ripped a sail it paid for the $25 the book cost in savings and I was on my way in just a couple of hours t boot.

 

[capta]

We have what I believe to be a tri-radial main. Even at 20 it is a beautiful sail, though it was built with some kind of esoteric cloth that is delaminating and bits of saran wrap type stuff (Mylar?) are coming off. Being a roller furling sail, it is loose footed and can be trimmed very much like a jib. I would love to replace it with a Dacron one, but as mentioned above, I doubt I'll ever be able to, cost wise. So we repair it as needed hoping to get as much sailing on it as we can before we must go with a more traditional cut at a price we can afford. Wouldn't it be nice to have a sponsor?
Thanks, Bill, I'll surely try to find a copy of "The Sailmakers Apprentice" as I believe a roller furling boom sail needs to be designed to be used reefed, more often than not, at least down here in the Caribbean.

 

[rpwillia]

Learning a bit more

Been doing a little checking around at Sailrite and at Mack Sails (thanks Sanfelice) and have a little more info.

4.4, 5.4, 6.4 oz. SuperCruise - Contender
5.53, 6.53 oz. Low Aspect High Modulus - Challenge
8.4 oz. Cream SuperCruise Dacron
4.2, 5.4 oz. Pentex Laminate - Contender
7.4, 8.4 oz. SuperCruise - Contender
7.4 oz. Tanbark SuperCruise Dacron
4.4 5.4 oz. Tanbark Dacron – Contender

Low Aspect 4.93, 5.53, 6.53 oz.
High Aspect 5.93 oz., 6.63 oz.
Storm Orange 9.18 oz.
Pentex Laminate 3.2, 4.2, 5.4 oz.

Bob Bainbridge's Challenge Sailcloth
Cruising weight cloth, 8 oz. Plus
Performance Cruise, is $9.78 per yard
High Modulus, which is $10.50
High Aspect = $14.15 (Dupont/Allied's high tenacity yarns, type 52/1W70 - warp and fill)
Marblehead = $15.01 (Dupont/Allied's high tenacity yarns, type 52/1W70 - warp and fill)


If I look here on SBO I see, stating it is Dupont high modulus type 52 Dacron fiber (Contender brand?):
4-5 oz.
5-6 oz.
6-7 oz. * Recommended
7-8 oz.
8-9 oz.
9-10 oz

If I go to the contender site they have a pretty detailed discussion on their sailcloth. Way more information than I need.

From most of what I read, it seems that Challenger sailcloth in the High Aspect or Marblehead around 7 ounce is what I am looking for. I mostly cruise/day sail with about 5-6 beer can level races a year. But, I have been known to be happy to race in 20-35 knots of wind if I have crew (which is where I tore my Genoa a few weeks ago). Thoughts?

 

[Ross]

Re: Learning a bit more

There are some racing sailcloths that are so heavily resinated that they handle like sheetmetal. There are also cruising sailcloths that are much softer.