 Sails
made from paneled high modulus sailcloth have served
the racing community well since their introduction
in the 1970s. While the very early paneled sails
were cross cut, the tri-radial construction soon
dominated. There has been a recent return to cross
cut materials with the introduction of some
multidirectional fiber layouts such as in the MAXX
fabrics. While Stratis and D4 are squeezing the high
modulus paneled sails from the market, for boats 40'
and under the Pentex based paneled sails in both
tri-radial and cross cut construction make a very
cost efficient, high performing sails that meets the
"recreational" requirements to get rating
credit under PHRF and other rules. Paneled
sails are available in almost all fibers types:
Vectran, Twaron, Technora, Carbon, Pentex, Polyester
and Spectra. On tough to bond fibers such as
Pentex and Spectra they fill a special need since
the lamination pressure and quality are generally
higher on rolled goods.
To
learn more about MAXX laminates, visit our Doyle
Fiber Guide
or Contender
Sailcloth's website.
|
