Cruising Laminates - What are they good for

[Winf]

Hi all

We are in the process of ordering a new main and headsail for our Southcoast 36. We have found a sailmaker that we like and are now refining a final design. Would appreciate some thoughts from the hive mind on sail options.

To set the scene on our sail needs, we are new cruisers and are in the process of setting up the boat for an initial trip from Western Australia to Cairns (across the top). After a Cairns layover to top up the bank balance, current plan is to cruise the North Queensland coast from Cairns to Cape York then on to Japan. After that, well, let's get there first!

We are fortunate in that we are not sailing to any sort of specific schedule other than that determined by cyclone/typhoon seasons. The intent is to day sail (where possible and practical of course) and take our time to smell the roses and explore along the way.

Our discussion with the sailmaker during measure up was positive. He inspected our torn genoa and confirmed our suspicion that it was past use by. (Multiple existing patches and more signs of wear) and that the main was essentially the same. Our staysail (which we also got him to initially quote on) however he inspected and advised us that he considered that it was still in perfectly workable condition both as a working staysail and as a storm sail using its reef point. So I guess what I am saying is that he was not trying to up sell us to something we didn't need.

He gave us two fabric options in his preliminary quote - dacron and ACL75 radial cut cruising laminate. After his visit today he has recommended for us to go with a dacron main and the cruising laminate headsail. Headsail is on a roller furler.

His reasoning for the cruising laminate headsail is that it will retain shape for better performance over its lifetime however he noted to us that the overall lifetime of the laminate would probably be less than the dacron. The cost of the cruising laminate fabric is about AU$1,300 more for the headsail.

Ok, some questions:

Any general comments on the proposed sails?
Cruising laminates - is there likely to be a significant and noticeable improvement over dacron performance in the headsail?
Is this performance worth the extra $ given the reduced life?
Anyone with experience of this sort of setup is encouraged to respond!

Thanks to all.
Winf