Rossiter Pintail Mortagne sur Gironde, near Bordeaux |
![]() |
Laser 28 - Excellent example of this great design Hamble le rice |
![]() |
Laser 140101 Tynemouth |
![]() |
List classes of boat for sale |
dacron vs. mylar |
Post Reply ![]() |
Page 12> |
Author | |
Tcharles ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 12 Dec 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 12 Dec 12 at 10:55am |
Hi,
I leave in the Middle East where it is extremely hot and humid and sail dinghys like Bahia or RS Vision. Would anybody validate that under such weather conditions it would be better to buy a dacron sail rather than a mylar one? I have been told that mylar is sensitive to humidity but wish to double check that. Are dacron sails really less efficient/fast than mylar ones? Thks. Tcharles
|
|
![]() |
|
Noah ![]() Really should get out more ![]() Joined: 29 Dec 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It is my understanding that it is the UV which knackers laminate sails but best ask a sailmaker.
In terms of efficiency / speed, the laminates keep their shape better - at least during their competitive life. The degradation curve on a dacron sail is gentler than a laminate which which has a flatter curve then 'falls off a cliff. |
|
Nick
D-Zero 316 |
|
![]() |
|
THUNT ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 26 Nov 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 25 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I used to work overseas in hot climates, working with both types of sails, particularly on the Vision.
The Dacron would outlast the laminate sails, especially if they were left out in the sun. Noah is right, the UV causes the Mylar sails to de-laminate. We used to leave sails attached to the booms and if sail covers weren't put on properly, the clew would be exposed and it was always this area that suffered most/de-laminated first. One thing to remember is to ensure they are washed off after every sail in fresh water, dried properly and stored in a dry area. This would help the life of both. What are you primarily using the sails for?
|
|
![]() |
|
alstorer ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mindyou, UV will do for Dacron too, it'll just take longer. And dacron sails stand up to flapping a bit better- laminate sails will quickly delaminate if allowed to flap around too much, this is part of the reason that B14 fleet are moving to dacron jibs paired with laminate (3DL even!) mainsails.
|
|
-_
Al |
|
![]() |
|
Mister Nick ![]() Far too distracted from work ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 389 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A lot of people from countries with very humid climates have said that their mylar/other laminate sails seemed to delaminate faster than they would have liked, particularly when not dried properly or left in sail lockers or other cramped places. Obviously UV is a big factor too. If you leave a laminate sail out in the sun permanently then it'll get totally shagged very fast. I'm no expert but there was a thread on this same topic on Sailing Anarchy a while ago and this was the kind of stuff that people mentioned.
If it was me, I'd buy the mylar and just find a cool, dry, small room or something and run a dehumidifier in it whilst the sails were stored. Washing the sails down, drying them and loosely rolling should be done after every session too. Even if you don't buy the mylar sail this is still a very good idea. Yes, mylar sails are faster and more efficient. Most race boats use them so that says a lot. Dacron sails will take a lot more abuse though, much harder to put a hole in. They'll stand up to flogging much better too. You'll do more damage to a mylar sail from one windy day where you let it flap too much than you will do from a whole season with a dacron one.
Edited by Mister Nick - 12 Dec 12 at 4:52pm |
|
![]() |
|
iGRF ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Just a little word of wisdom on the washing the sails in fresh water to put them away idea.
We found (windsurfers down the years)if at the coast, it's better to leave them salty if your going to store them for a protracted period, the fresh water wash often lets them rot, bacteria and other stuff like gnawing animals are put off by salt, just a point, all the other stuff laminate de laminating with excess UV is all correct. |
|
![]() |
|
RS400atC ![]() Really should get out more ![]() Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
standard issue in the Merlin. |
|
![]() |
|
RS400atC ![]() Really should get out more ![]() Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Is there not an issue with salt crystailising in the stitching and chafing the thread? I think it's best to rinse and dry sails if possible, at least now and then. UV kills almost all fabrics given a chance. Laminate sails may be more reliant on glue to hold the panels together, maybe an issue when very hot? |
|
![]() |
|
iGRF ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Most windsurfing sails are laminate or mono film anyway so a bit more resilient than mylar or dacron.
|
|
![]() |
|
JimC ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I know people say that, but I don't recall ever having the stitching die before the cloth goes in high wear areas. |
|
![]() |
Post Reply ![]() |
Page 12> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions ![]() You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |