Not all sails are created equal, and Doyle Sails explains why including Carbon in Superyacht sails is a necessity.
The continuing growth of the modern Superyacht market worldwide demands a product line dedicated to meet the needs and characteristics of these yachts – Doyle Sails delivers a line of high-tech sails providing long-lasting solutions that perform under the high loads generated from these yachts. What makes Doyle Sails stand out from the rest? Every Superyacht sail includes a percentage of carbon – something no other sailmaker does.
The inclusion of Carbon yarns in sails isn’t new, but a common misunderstanding is that carbon can only be used in high-performance racing sails. However, this is one of the easiest untruths to dispel, especially in the world of Superyachts. Alongside the outstanding Doyle Design team, the use of carbon has ensured that Doyle Sails is now the sailmaker of choice to the world’s most spectacular Superyachts.
Sailing Yacht Elfje sail testing sea trials with Doyle Sails. 
Doyle Sails is the only sailmaker manufacturing Carbon SY Sails.
The use of Carbon in Performance Cruising and Superyacht sails delivers a very different sail than one without. As with all Doyle sails produced, Superyacht sails are bespoke, and the level of carbon included in every sail depends on each yacht. However, the result is ultimately the lightest and most durable sails on the market. Superyacht sails that contain carbon will also be smoother and stronger for longer.
What makes carbon so superior in Superyacht Sails?
Carbon is the most superior yarn used in sailmaking due to its high strength to low weight ratio and resistance to stretch – this becomes particularly important when sails have vast areas and high loads, all of which sits at height above the yacht, affecting the righting moment.
By utilising a percentage of carbon in each Superyacht sail, the overall weight of the sail reduces drastically – less weight also means less load on rigging and systems (learn how Doyle Structured Luff Superyacht sails reduce loads further).
In addition to the reduction in weight aloft, carbon’s resistance to stretch is three times greater than any other aramid yarn available and six times more stretch resistant than polyester, which can result in expensive and dangerous sail failures. Carbon is used in high-performance composites where the ultimate performance to weight ratio is required. More often than not, performance yachts and Superyachts are built with carbon masts, carbon booms and carbon rigging. Doyle Sails allows each yacht to couple these high-performance systems with high performance, lightweight carbon sails.
Aquarius sailing in the St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta. 
Stratis or DVXC?
Doyle Superyacht sails are constructed from the Stratis 1100 range, using either a combination of Carbon and Technora or Carbon and ICE or a panelled construction known as Doyle DVXC. With either solution, the critical factor is the inclusion of carbon in your Superyacht Sails.
Stratis 1100 provides unmatched performance and is the product of choice to the world’s most spectacular Superyacht’s. Every sail is 100% custom to you and your yacht and delivers the lightest, fastest, strongest sails. The combination of Carbon and Technora is used in conjunction with specific Doyle Sails resins, selected for their long-term durability and resistance to high humidity and wet conditions. Learn more here.
DVXC, while slightly heavier than the Stratis 1100 option, is still, by comparison, far lighter than all other alternative Superyacht sails available today. DVXC combines Carbon and Vectran, allowing for a low stretch, high-performance package with excellent durability. Vectran fibre, a high modulus liquid crystal polymer, has long been an attractive yarn to use in this application due to its almost unlimited flex life and excellent stretch resistance. Learn more here.
To help protect Superyacht sails and extend their lifespan, these sails are paired with a high-performance surface; ultimately delivering a tonal sail, avoiding stripes or unsightly mismatched patches while adding more durability and strength to each sail.
SAILING – 2019 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race start in Sydney, Australia – Dec 26th, 2019 (Photo by Andrea Francolini) COMANCHE
Learn more about how Doyle Sails can upgrade your Superyacht inventory here.
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // As sailors, our obsession with sailing connects us to the water. The water is our playground, a sanctuary where we seek enjoyment, a competitive playing field where we race; it’s sometimes our home and always a place that unlocks our sense of adventure wherever that adventure might take us.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those who have the same passion for sailing as we do. Sailing is in our DNA, where the water unlocks our sense of adventure. We are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for close to four decades, and while our world changes around us, our commitment to sailors who seek the same enjoyment and adventure as we do hasn’t.
From our sailors to yours, we are your experts in sailing. Your adventure starts with Doyle. By sailors, for sailors.