Dimension cloth

[silverp40]

I am seriously considering Dimension's Hydranet radial or the DYS cloth (laminate) for a new set of sails. Does anyone have sails made out of either one of these materials that have some offshore miles on them?

Any comments/advice/opinions would be welcome!

Thanks in advance

Ovi

[barnakiel]

No laminates, but plenty of miles on our Dimension Polyant cloth sails here. Seen better (dacron) sails anyways.

a) My experience with laminated furling genoas is they are very good when the boat is sailed extensively and the sails get plenty of use. They are less justified if the boat is left behind in any humid clime for any extended period - mold sets in and cannot be removed.

b) Light weight laminated sails seem to live shorter lives than their counterpart plain woven sails. Heavy laminate sails fare much better. I believe this may be related to fabric weight vs. UV deterioration in screens / tafetas.

So to say make sure the sail you want does gain anything when built in laminate.

DP one of major and trusted brands for that matter.

Cheers,
b.

[silverp40]

Thanks for the info...Any opinions/experience with Challenge's " Warp Speed" cloth?

Like the Hydranet, it can be cut and built in tri-radial form, however sans the spectra fibers in the fill and warp...

[Kestrahl]

Hydra-net and DYS are both good products. Hydra-net is also available as a cross cut fabric but this is not very good, the radial version is the one to go for. Both are quite expensive. If you are going for a Laminate like DYS it maybe better go for a membrane cruising sail as the price maybe similar. My mate has hydra-net radial delivery sails on his Class 40 which have been thru hell with no sign of any problems.

Re: the challenge cloth:
Radial cut dacron has always suffered from scalloping between the radial seams once the cloth softens up..

[silverp40]

Thanks Kestrahl...

[Kenomac]

I'm going to revive this thread because I have the same question.

DYS Dyneema laminate with taffeta or Hydranet with taffeta applied?

I'm considering the purchase of a new mainsail this season, the prices I'm getting from the top UK sail lofts have been excellent... Even less than Chinese Dacron sails via US sail lofts. Take delivery outside the VAT zone, and these guys kick butt on price and quality.

[Jim Cate]

Our Hydranet radial mainsail is now approaching two years and 6000 miles usage. No problems in shape or construction (made by Steve Walker Sails in Tasmania). A very nice sail indeed! Our only complaint is that the cloth is very stiff, and flaking it on the boom is difficult. We use a boom bag with lazy jacks, and while it collects the sail ok, it is usually in a mess and reluctant to be straightened out... good exercise (both physically and vocabulary-wise)! BTW, this 60 sq m sail is a mix of 10, 8 and 7 oz cloth. Three full battens, two long leech battens.

I would not hesitate to use Hydranet Radial again (unless, of course, something even better comes along).

Jim

[silverp40]

We are really happy with our Hydranet main and jib made by Quantum in Rhode Island USA. After about 4500 miles the shape is great and yes its a bit stiff but that is the price to pay for good shape with this material. The radial type is the better one. Cost is expensive about 50US/yard out of which a lot is wasted with triradial sails.

[silverp40]

BTW, Hydranet is not a laminate so no tafetta. DYS is also heavy material...