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Post by peterjb on Sept 29, 2008 17:58:02 GMT
Despite being taken off each winter, the genoa, which was supplied new with my SO 35, will have to be replaced because of ultra violet damage after only 4 seasons of use. It is clear that the "protection" on the original sail is not adequate.
Does anyone have advice/experience on the sail specification ? Should I go for crosscut or radial ? Dacron or laminate ? Any tips gratefully received !
I only use her for cruising - no racing - but we go out in winds when many others stay in harbour, so furled performance is very important
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Post by Zanshin on Sept 30, 2008 8:56:03 GMT
Is the whole sail gone due to UV or just the sacrificial strip? I'm replacing my sacrificial Genoa strip right now, and the sails have been out in the tropical sun for 5 years - the genoa itself and the stitching is still in good shape, but the stitching is brittle and breaking in the sacrificial strip.
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Post by MartyB on Sept 30, 2008 12:50:02 GMT
Zan brings up a good point, the sacrificial strip does seem to go out on boats every 3-5 yrs or so.
Also, if you go out in stronger weather than most, a Dac/mylar blend in a triradial should be a better sail than straight dacron for performance and less stretch. A neaghbor next to me went with an Ulman Carbon Tapedrive, which was able to be built with three reef points in it, as it has roller furling too.
I have currently hanks, but have an Ullman Carbon tape style 155 on order to be delivered with in the next 2-3 weeks. Then will be installing a Harken carbo foil. I also have an Ullman CAL or Custom Axil Laminate 140 to be delivered in spring, which is a laminate sail that is panel sewn like Dacron, at the same cost. BUT, this material has less stretch etc and the same life as Dacron. This will be the cruise daysail sail, the 155 the race sail, along with a 130% drifter which is the 0-7knot sail for here in Puget Sound USA where I sail in the summer, that can have days like last saturday, where it would go from 0 to 9 knots as fast as I type, then back to 0 knots in the same time! Most motor if cruising, but if racing, races can be lost when the wind dies to almost nothing!
Marty
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