Which Dacron sailcloth?

[doug748]

I have chosen my sailmaker and will be having a new polyester main for my 32ft boat.

I asked for a premium sailcloth and he normally uses Contender cloth and has quoted for this. The question is, is it good stuff? It is the soft finish tackle, I understand.

I mentioned Marblehead and he said he would be happy to use it for the same price but he personally felt Contender was ok, and slightly easier to source.

Is he correct?

 

[RobBrown]

When I bought my Dacron main, Crusader suggested Marblehead as best quality bang for buck and had no trouble sourcing.

 

[Plevier]

When I bought my Dacron main, Crusader suggested Marblehead as best quality bang for buck and had no trouble sourcing.

That's very funny.
Crusader tried last year to talk me out of Marblehead in favour of Supercruise, said Supercruise was just as good and better value.
Kemp then tried to talk me out of Marblehead in favour of DP Square.
I stuck out for Marblehead because I was very pleased with it in some sails from Hyde - who recommended it as the best about 3 years ago (for a different boat, I haven't worn them out!). No problem sourcing it.
Do you think commercial factors and offers may play a part? Yes I'm an old cynic.
Hyde were too dear for me this time round.

 

[doug748]

Yes, to be honest he was not making a big deal out of getting the Marblehead. I suspect he would just have to use a different stockholder.

 

[KellysEye]

I've said this many times before but the choice of cloth should be made on the quality of cloth and how long you want the sail to last before stretching.

Glue is cheap and fibre is expensive, the more fibre there is the longer the sail will last before stretching. Get samples of the different cloths on offer plus one from Hood. Put a bright light behind the cloth and use a magnifying glass to see how much fibre is used. It immediately obvious. Hood has the most fibre by a long way but is made for ocean sailing. Then make your choice.

 

[Slowtack]

Have you looked at Hydranet?

 

[doug748]

No, in the end I picked Marblehead, dunno why, but I did.