sail material to see through ?

[simonfraser]

i shall shortly be ordering a big - for my boat - asymetric headsail used 20 knots or less

as it is going to obscure half the horizon it would be great if i could see through it

any thoughts on sail material ?

many thanks

 

[Talbot]

its my understanding that the see through material used on dinghies is not strong enough for use on a real boat

 

[baggypipes]

I had a new large genoa made for our 9mtr catalac by kemps they fitted windows in it for us as it would have given us blind spots just told them what i would like and left the spec to them. must say more than pleased with the result now sail safer

 

[Lakesailor]

Looks like http://www.goachersails.co.uk/ are putting windows all over the shop....

 

[Swagman]

Lots of differing mylar based cloths are strong enough for an 8 M tri and will give imporved visibility - failing that or maybe if one does not wish to spend the pennies on high tech cloth - windows can be sewn into any other sail material.
JOHN

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Problem with windows in sails is that firstly the window stretches at a different rate to the rest of the cloth, making the sail less long lived, and sceondly, it is far more UV sensitive than most traditional sail materials......

 

[Lakesailor]

This is a Spirit 37, but I think the sails were a bit expensive.

 

[Swagman]

[ QUOTE ]
Problem with windows in sails is that firstly the window stretches at a different rate to the rest of the cloth, making the sail less long lived, and sceondly, it is far more UV sensitive than most traditional sail materials......

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello,
Both comments are valid but have to say we had windows in both Solings and a 9.7 metre class yacht and did not notice either to be an issue over a two year period in the hot Ozzie sun.
JOHN

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]


as it is going to obscure half the horizon it would be great if i could see through it



[/ QUOTE ]

Won't the clew be cut high enough?

 

[William_H]

I expect we don't see windows in larger keel boats because the clew is often high enough to see under and the balance of the boat is not so critical that the helms man can't move to leeward to check for traffic.
Another disadvatage of window material is that is kind of kinks and creases when the sail is folded. olewill

 

[simonfraser]

a sailmaker has just advised me to considder "D4" any thoughts ?

thanks

 

[Guest]

My weekender bota out here has a long panel in the lower section of the mainsail in wgat appears to be a plastic thinner but similar to Sprayhood windows ... It is now about 25 yrs old and finally last year cracked. A bit of tape to hold while I consider possible replacement of sail .....
Was the panel any use ? Nope !! Not really .... as I am in habit of ducking and peering either side of sail as I potter along ....

 

[davidpbo]

[ QUOTE ]
This is a Spirit 37, but I think the sails were a bit expensive.

[/ QUOTE ]

Made by that renowned firm emperorsclothes.co.uk or am I looking at the wrong boat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

Correct. The Spirit is the beautiful boat with 32 on the headsail.
But I think you knew that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[DeeGee]

Used to have a snotty - sails made by that unbeatable bas**rd /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Nice picture, brings back memories. Is he still unbeatable??

 

[Lakesailor]

No, he leaves that to his staff now [ QUOTE ]
Greg lives sailing, campaigns a GP which he fitted out and crews on Team Eric and various yachts. He has worked for the company for several years and now has a wide experience of sailmaking. This summer he helmed Eric the Boat to first place at the Sonata Nationals.

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[davidpbo]

Thought I might have been.

Good to meet up with you both last weekend. Our boat is now back at our friend's farm without mishap.

David

 

[Lakesailor]

Nice meeting you and Ruth (and my doppleganger - bizarre). I think we got the best of the weather on Sunday. Not enough breeze to put the sails up though.