savageseadog
Well-Known Member
I've recently been introduced to the concept but I frankly couldn't understand the advantages if any. Does anyone know about this stuff?
Membrane Panel Sails?
- Thread starter savageseadog
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Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
Something like this?
My understanding is that they are an improvement over tri-radial designs but not as much as aligned/loadpath sails.
My understanding is that they are an improvement over tri-radial designs but not as much as aligned/loadpath sails.
lw395
Well-Known Member
Or maybe mylar film as used on windsurfers?
Or Tyvec used in DIY sails?
Or Tyvec used in DIY sails?
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
Something like this?
My understanding is that they are an improvement over tri-radial designs but not as much as aligned/loadpath sails.
Looks like PolyTarp to me!
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
I don't know, you tell me. What boat is that on and what sailmaker? and is it any good?
Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
It's from my boat, the sail loft (One Sails) described it as being made from "Vantage discontinuous fibre membranes" which I bought to replace a set of Pentex tri-radial laminate sails which were getting towards the end of thier useful life.
Happy with them so far....
Happy with them so far....
BelleSerene
Well-Known Member
I used a pair of panel-built cruising membrane sails of SpiderTech (an Italian outfit) from Sanders Sails.
http://sanders-sails.co.uk/materials.htm
http://sanders-sails.co.uk/materials.htm
Yacht Yogi
Well-Known Member
The panel laminate ones I think are older technology. If you want some "performance cruising" sails I would go for a Radial Hydranet (unless perhaps you've got a big boat where the weight aloft becomes a factor), which will give you good shape and can take a bit of wear and tear. If you want to go racing then get loadpath/aligned fibre sails for best performance, 3DL or similar. No laminate sail is going to give you more than a few season's use before damage begins to show. Cruising laminates with an extra Taffeta layer might last a little longer.
flaming
Well-Known Member
Hard to answer the question "what are the advantages" without knowing the intended use, and advantages compared to what?
For example if the use is cruising, and the comparison is Dacron, then the advantage is shape holding and performance. With the disadvantages of cost and longevity.
But if the use is racing and the comparison is 3DL or similar then the advantage is cost and durability, and the disadvantages are weight and performance.
Broadly speaking, all other things being equal you're not going to win any regattas with them against boats equipped with load path string sails. But they'll last much longer and you'll sail away from an identical boat equipped with Dacron.
For example if the use is cruising, and the comparison is Dacron, then the advantage is shape holding and performance. With the disadvantages of cost and longevity.
But if the use is racing and the comparison is 3DL or similar then the advantage is cost and durability, and the disadvantages are weight and performance.
Broadly speaking, all other things being equal you're not going to win any regattas with them against boats equipped with load path string sails. But they'll last much longer and you'll sail away from an identical boat equipped with Dacron.
