Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

[robavery]

Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

Does anyone have any comment on what they feel is the best allround sailcoth to use on a, part vertically battened, inmast furling mainsail? Any experience on laminates virsus high quality dacron??

 

[sarabande]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

I have a suspicion that laminates might not enjoy being furled and left to cook in to metal tube. There must be some terrifickly (?!) high temps generated.

I have standard "soft touch" dacron in a Eurospar in-mast furling rig: 12 yrs old & just beginning to need attention to seams on the outer half (near the tack), but that's a thread problem, rather than a sailcloth one.

 

[robavery]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

Had not thought about the temp inisde the mast. Good point

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

I believe John Lewis sells suitable fabric for roller blinds.

 

[Ecosse120]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

I was told that you can not use laminates on a furling Genoa so I suspect the same is true for the main.

 

[robavery]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

I have cruiserlaminate sails at present( slab reefed main).Have had no prob with the furling genoa so far.

 

[Helina]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

IMHO especially in-furling maisail needs to strech as little as possible, when reefed a streched sail is very much out of shape. This is important when sailing close hauled. Dacron will allway strecth and the more it blows when the sail should be flat the more it streches at the end it will look like a potatoe bag by shape.
When hot and moist the laminates get mold more easily than dacron but that's just esthetic, doesn't make the sail weaker.
I'd certainly go for a laminate sail.

 

[Ecosse120]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

Kemp sails gave me the info at LIBS last year, I have to say that my worry is that anything laminated may be come delaminated. My laminated genoa reminds me of two bits of sellotape stuck together. Best bet is probably to speak with a sail maker and ask how long it will last.

 

[jonic]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone have any comment on what they feel is the best allround sailcoth to use on a, part vertically battened, inmast furling mainsail? Any experience on laminates virsus high quality dacron??

[/ QUOTE ]

I would keep what you've got and spend the extra money on a Forward looking sounder /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rwoofer]

Re: Sailcloth for In- Mast Furling MainSails

I have Pentex laminate for both my furling main and genoa. Not had any problems in 3 years and have kept their shape.