Dacron or Laminate??

[robmurray]

I have a Starlight 39 which is used mainly for cruising but also the occasional race. I need a new main sail. My sail maker is suggesting a laminate sail due to its superior strength and resistance to stretch - they keep their shape longer. Apparently laminate sails have just come down in price but they are still over 20% more expensive. Has anyone got any experience which can help my decision? I want to buy a good sail rather than just economise but I dont want something over engineered

 

[Guest]

I'm surprised you haven't been inundated with replies!! Dacron is the only choice for cruising and don't let anybody tell you different. Laminates have to be rolled up and not creased in any way when stored, are a pain in the neck to handle and will only last a season of constant use.

The latest types of dacron can make a very competitive sail and last heaps of years. The only people usiung laminates that I know of are racers through and through and are prepared to replace them every few years to remain competitive.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Dacron, definitely.

The other nasty habit of laminate sails is that when they do go, they tear right across. It's then a job of ordering a new sail. At least dacron is a lot easier to repair mid-cruise.
But "replace every few years"! These guys aren't trying - it's every year at the front of the Sigma 33 fleet.

 

[Guest]

Talk to Peter Bateson at Royal Southampton YC. He had a seriously quick Starlight 39, I know, It passed me enough times. I'm sorry I don't know the URL but any half decent search engine ought to bring RSYC up.

Good Luck.

Mike

PS. I'd go for Pentex any day, over dacron

 

[extravert]

Laminate sails like Mylar are much more sensitive to the various tension adjustments (halyard, outhaul, traveller position) because they have much less stretch. Every change in apparent wind strength (true wind speed change or course change) requires these tension controls to be adjusted to get optimum sail shape and take out bags and wrinkles. The upside of this is you get better control over sail shape. All great fun if you are racing, but hard work on the hands and arm otherwise.