Is Vectran worth the extra money?

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john_morris_uk

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We are thinking that our Genoa is finally on its last legs and we are looking at the options for a new one. One sailmaker has quoted for several grades of sailcloth or Vectran as the 'top option'. The sail will have a foam luff and UV protection but I wondered if anyone has had experience of Vectran as a cloth in new sails?
 
john_morris_uk said:
We are thinking that our Genoa is finally on its last legs and we are looking at the options for a new one. One sailmaker has quoted for several grades of sailcloth or Vectran as the 'top option'. The sail will have a foam luff and UV protection but I wondered if anyone has had experience of Vectran as a cloth in new sails?
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ask if the laminated cloth is susceptible to mildew :mad:
 
john_morris_uk said:
We are thinking that our Genoa is finally on its last legs and we are looking at the options for a new one. One sailmaker has quoted for several grades of sailcloth or Vectran as the 'top option'. The sail will have a foam luff and UV protection but I wondered if anyone has had experience of Vectran as a cloth in new sails?
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Yes, brilliant. We bought a new genoa and main in Vectran in about 2000, from Hood. They have been heavily used ever since, weekends and holidays up to end 2003, then six months per year since. It is impossible to detect any change of shape in them. The cloth is almost as stiff as it was when bought. We had a new UV strip and a little stitch repair about three years ago but otherwise they are pretty much as new.

Our only slight criticism(?) is that the cruising grade is very heavy, maybe accounting for its longevity. In very light winds it is difficult to get the genoa to do anything other than hang downwards, in marked contrast to the lightweight sails on most charter boats in the Med.

Photo shows them around nine years old
Picture007.jpg
 
An argument in favour of Dacron is that if this genoa is going to take us off to the Caribbean and beyond, Dacron is easy to patch and repair. I'll gave to ask the sailmakers about the options and possible restrictions on repairs on Vectran or any alternative semi hi tech cloth?
 
jimi said:
Nice sail, Viv! Would you stick with crosscut or think about bi or tri radial for your next one?
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The advice Hood gave me was that crosscut was preferable for a roller reefing foresail, provided the cloth was sufficiently strong. The forces in bi- or tri-radial are in line with the weave when it is unfurled but become unfair on reefing.

I'm hoping I shall never need to buy a next one. Should be years left in it, enough to see me out.

Vectran (Vektron from Hood) is a woven cloth, not a laminate, for which repairs should be straightforward.
 
vyv_cox said:
The advice Hood gave me was that crosscut was preferable for a roller reefing foresail, provided the cloth was sufficiently strong. The forces in bi- or tri-radial are in line with the weave when it is unfurled but become unfair on reefing.
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I heard the same from Kemps.
 
Excellent Stuff

Pete Sanders did my new main and genoa in Vectran 4 years ago now. Excellent-very pleased with them. In view of the cost of getting sails made anyway I thought the cost of upgrading from top of the range Dacron to Vectran was quite reasonable and certainly worth it over the longer term.
 
john_morris_uk said:
Sanders and Hood so far. (The only people who use Vectran.)
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No experience of Vectran, but a +1 for Sanders "Premium Hood Dacron" - 2007 era, only coastal use, but still setting nicely (foam luff genoa & fully battened main).

I *do* like nice sails (as long as they will last reasonably long), so might consider spending the extra on vectran next time.
 
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