Spidertech sails

[BelleSerene]

I'm being offered Spidertech membrane sails instead of vectran crosscut sails. It's a leap to new technology, and it may not meet my criteria for longevity, but it certainly seems fun! They seem to surpass tri-radial sails in shape, and probably without most of the mildew disadvantages of cruising laminates (as I understand the taffeta is thinner and less porous).

They are, though, new technology and I understand we don't really have the data to know how well they'll last.

I sail a 39' Beneteau, cruising with just a couple of races a year, and want more fun than the current nonsense she's wearing. I can probably live with a four-year life, but perhaps it does rather depend how they degrade. I'd go for a fully battened main, and the genoa is furling.

I would be very grateful for advice.

 

[exfinnsailor]

Beneteau Sails

Our Beneteau Sails are not brilliant so just negociating for some new North Sails using Radial Construction using a (Radian) Woven Polyester .. Bit of a half way house .. The Radian does not stretch as much as Dacron so they can use it for radial panels .. Went with a well known brand as you don't want to be buying new again next year ..

I am also sure that if there is a problem it will be sorted ..

As with all new products someone has to be the guinea pig .. You get all the agro and everyone else learns from yours .. Then they suggest you buy a new set because yours were a prototype ..

 

[Boat44]

I see they offer a a "blue line" and a grand prix line" The blue line states that it is "laminated cross cut panels". In other words you are not getting the real benfit that fibre orianted sails provide, aka 3DL. The sail is still made from panels and therefore you have discontinuity in the fibre runs. It is still a panel sail!

Unless you have loads of money to burn and they are realy cheap, let somebody else prove the technology and get some kevlar type sails from a somebody else, north gatorback or doyle equivalent.

As for racing, for the occasional club race crusing laminate will be fine and last about double the kevlar sails of this world. You will only notice the performace differnce if you are realy good.

But if you are after something sexy and willing to pay for it, by all means play with a kevlar type material. You can get some good coloured ones these days. (Come with free fuzzy dice for your mirror!!)