I'd appreciate some input on the pros and cons of buying tri-radial dacron sails vs. conventional crosscut dacron. Is the difference in initial cost justified by performance/longevity for a cruising/racing boat? I'm referring to both mains and genoas.
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Trevor
I'm not an expert,
...but the justification on whether to spring for a tri-radial vs. a cross cut sail depends on what your priorities and plans for the boat are. I believe that the tri-radial sail's primary benefit is going to be longevity, which translates into maintaining performance for a longer "useful life" of the sail. Think about what type of sailing you do or are planning to do, and how long you plan on keeping your boat. Best, Trevor
...but the justification on whether to spring for a tri-radial vs. a cross cut sail depends on what your priorities and plans for the boat are. I believe that the tri-radial sail's primary benefit is going to be longevity, which translates into maintaining performance for a longer "useful life" of the sail. Think about what type of sailing you do or are planning to do, and how long you plan on keeping your boat. Best, Trevor
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Joe
radial design
The "tri-radial" design simply means the the corner panels in the sail are cut to radiate from the attachment points. This allows numerous panels to be aligned vertically with the luff and leech, and horizontally with the foot. The great benifit in this design is to allow stronger, heavier panels of cloth to be placed in the higher stress areas of the leech and foot, and lighter weight panels to be placed in lower stress areas near the luff and center of the sail. This "step-up" construction has been used in racing sails since the mid 80's. As it applies to cruising sails let me quote from Tom Whidden's "The Art and Science of Sails"...... "The step-up construction allows the heavily loaded leech and the foot panel--the latter being vulnerable to waves breaking over the bow-- to be made of heavier cloth. The panels get lighter and, at the same time, show less strength moving toward the luff (this part of the sail is less highly loaded). The result is a sail that is stronger for its weight. This is so important because the cruising sailor is now demanding a headsail that has the same range as a main, that is , not so heavy that it fails to work in 5 knots or so light that it stretches dramatically or evern self-destructs in 30 knots. Such a hybrid headsail is impossible without step-up construction. "When roller furlilng, one other benefit of the vertical sail with the radial clew is that the leech and foot panels can be made out of special UV-resistant fabric. With cross-cut lay-ups, a separate UV-resistant panel must be sewn to the leech. This vertical panel sewn across the horizontal panels that make up the leech adds unnecessary weight, compromising the performance of the sail in light air." Performance is the difference. Longevity, I believe, is affected more by the sail's cloth type, its care and mainenance and how it's used -- rather than by its design. Cost justification is an individual decision.
The "tri-radial" design simply means the the corner panels in the sail are cut to radiate from the attachment points. This allows numerous panels to be aligned vertically with the luff and leech, and horizontally with the foot. The great benifit in this design is to allow stronger, heavier panels of cloth to be placed in the higher stress areas of the leech and foot, and lighter weight panels to be placed in lower stress areas near the luff and center of the sail. This "step-up" construction has been used in racing sails since the mid 80's. As it applies to cruising sails let me quote from Tom Whidden's "The Art and Science of Sails"...... "The step-up construction allows the heavily loaded leech and the foot panel--the latter being vulnerable to waves breaking over the bow-- to be made of heavier cloth. The panels get lighter and, at the same time, show less strength moving toward the luff (this part of the sail is less highly loaded). The result is a sail that is stronger for its weight. This is so important because the cruising sailor is now demanding a headsail that has the same range as a main, that is , not so heavy that it fails to work in 5 knots or so light that it stretches dramatically or evern self-destructs in 30 knots. Such a hybrid headsail is impossible without step-up construction. "When roller furlilng, one other benefit of the vertical sail with the radial clew is that the leech and foot panels can be made out of special UV-resistant fabric. With cross-cut lay-ups, a separate UV-resistant panel must be sewn to the leech. This vertical panel sewn across the horizontal panels that make up the leech adds unnecessary weight, compromising the performance of the sail in light air." Performance is the difference. Longevity, I believe, is affected more by the sail's cloth type, its care and mainenance and how it's used -- rather than by its design. Cost justification is an individual decision.
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Joe Barrett
Better shape on the tri radial
And easier to trim for performance. As someone who races a cruising boat a lot I really don't like cross cut. Notice how many cruising boats come with cross cut. I look at the new Beneteau ads and look at the cross cut Neal Pryde sails and that alone is reason enough not to like the boat. Oh wow I really did it now!
And easier to trim for performance. As someone who races a cruising boat a lot I really don't like cross cut. Notice how many cruising boats come with cross cut. I look at the new Beneteau ads and look at the cross cut Neal Pryde sails and that alone is reason enough not to like the boat. Oh wow I really did it now!
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Allen Schweitzer
Another benefit of radial...
Last year I bought a new genoa and my Doyle rep told me that radial cut sails can also be re-stitched to improve their shape after the sail has stretched as it gets older. That was a big plus for me. If "the draft moves aft" it's good to know I have a way to fix the problem without having to purchase a whole new sail. Also, as was previously mentioned, radial cut sails are supposed to hold their shape longer to begin with. Sails are so expensive, I saw value in getting the best design with the idea I'd get a few more years out of it before I had to replace it. Just my 2 cents. Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
Last year I bought a new genoa and my Doyle rep told me that radial cut sails can also be re-stitched to improve their shape after the sail has stretched as it gets older. That was a big plus for me. If "the draft moves aft" it's good to know I have a way to fix the problem without having to purchase a whole new sail. Also, as was previously mentioned, radial cut sails are supposed to hold their shape longer to begin with. Sails are so expensive, I saw value in getting the best design with the idea I'd get a few more years out of it before I had to replace it. Just my 2 cents. Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
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John E.
Tri radial
The main reason especially for large genoas is less heeling more forward drive. Better for guests and better for performance!
The main reason especially for large genoas is less heeling more forward drive. Better for guests and better for performance!
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