New Sails! Advice Needed.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by poiu

I'm not far behind you and looking to buy again. My string sails, which were great have suddenly started to struggle in the tropics and I have a few delamination problems. Let me/us know how well they turn out for you.

But can you actually use sails in the Med in summer?

Not much in Spain, but last season in Sardinia, Italy and the Adriatic, we sailed almost everywhere. Only used about 100 engine hours in five months, and at least 30 of those hours were for charging.

Dolphin Sails made our set, they're supposed to last for 30,000 miles.

[SV_ATLAS]

This was a very informative and interesting thread. I'd love to know how Dockhead's experience has been since buying the new sails and if any others have informed opinions of the sail cloth market in 2019 (3di vs DP/Bainbridge/Contender laminates) and their durability?

Thanks

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by SV_ATLAS

This was a very informative and interesting thread. I'd love to know how Dockhead's experience has been since buying the new sails and if any others have informed opinions of the sail cloth market in 2019 (3di vs DP/Bainbridge/Contender laminates) and their durability?

Thanks

I've posted about this elsewhere, but my sails (made out of Bainbridge carbon/technora) have wildly exceeded my expectations. Hardly any sign of wear, shape still perfect, after now 5 seasons of hard use with at least 3000 or 4000 miles of sailing every year. I had hoped to get 10 000 miles out of them; now I don't even know how long to expect to use them. The durability is amazing; far better than expected or promised.



The difference in sailing performance to Dacron sails is difficult to describe. These sails respond to very fine control adjustments and can be adjusted into any shape; sailing much faster and giving much more fun. I can do all kinds of stuff which was not possible with Dacron sails -- for example, trimming the mainsail very flat and feathering it slightly, instead of reefing. Biggest difference of course is upwind. But also very noteworthy is the great extension of usable wind range both up and down. With the blade jib up, I can keep all plain sail up to about 30 knots apparent without reefing anything, by careful trimming, or I can make 3 to 4 knots of boat speed in 4 or 5 knots of true wind. With the very same sails.



Best money I ever spent on the boat.


I'll never ever go back to woven sails.


My biggest mistake was splashing out on two headsails -- a standard 120% yankee and a 95% blade. The blade is so versatile and so good in so many ways, that the yankee, which was the most expensive of all of the sails, is rarely used. I think the last time I even had it out of the bag was two years ago.

[Kestrahl]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I've posted about this elsewhere, but my sails (made out of Bainbridge carbon/technora) have wildly exceeded my expectations. Hardly any sign of wear, shape still perfect, after now 5 seasons of hard use with at least 3000 or 4000 miles of sailing every year. I had hoped to get 10 000 miles out of them; now I don't even know how long to expect to use them. The durability is amazing; far better than expected or promised.



The difference in sailing performance to Dacron sails is difficult to describe. These sails respond to very fine control adjustments and can be adjusted into any shape; sailing much faster and giving much more fun. I can do all kinds of stuff which was not possible with Dacron sails -- for example, trimming the mainsail very flat and feathering it slightly, instead of reefing. Biggest difference of course is upwind. But also very noteworthy is the great extension of usable wind range both up and down. With the blade jib up, I can keep all plain sail up to about 30 knots apparent without reefing anything, by careful trimming, or I can make 3 to 4 knots of boat speed in 4 or 5 knots of true wind. With the very same sails.



Best money I ever spent on the boat.


I'll never ever go back to woven sails.


My biggest mistake was splashing out on two headsails -- a standard 120% yankee and a 95% blade. The blade is so versatile and so good in so many ways, that the yankee, which was the most expensive of all of the sails, is rarely used. I think the last time I even had it out of the bag was two years ago.

You should tell this to Bainbridge so they start making it again.

[Jim Cate]

You should tell this to Bainbridge so they start making it again.

Must have been lasting too long and reducing the stock turnover...

Jim