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12-04-2011, 15:04
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, Fl USA
Boat: Jensen Marine, Cal-40, 40'
Posts: 11
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How Old Does a Boat Need to be for Tanbark Sails?
My boat, a 1965 Cal-40, will be getting new sails in the next couple years. I have always thought tanbark sails looked sharp but have seen them predominantly on wooden vessels as opposed to classic plastic. How old does a boat need to be before tanbark sails are acceptable? Does it have to be a wooden boat? I realize I could make them polka-dotted if I wanted but I was wondering what the common consensus is?
(She is a currently in rehab, cruiser that does Wet Wednesday beer-cans very well when she's in the water)
Thanks!
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12-04-2011, 15:07
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#2
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
tanbark sails look good on almost every boat i have seen them on. gooodluck and smooth sailing.
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12-04-2011, 15:10
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between Block Island and Bahamas
Boat: Marine Trader 40' Sedan Trawler, 1978. WATER TORTURE
Posts: 715
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
I think tanbark sails can only add to the appeal of your Cal-40. Support the idea 100%
__________________
"When one is willing to go without, then one is free to go." - doug86
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12-04-2011, 15:15
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: La Ciudad de la Misión Didacus de Alcalá en Alta California, Virreinato de Nueva España
Boat: Cal 20
Posts: 19,840
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
It is strictly an easthetic choice anymore.
As I understand it tanbark was used to extend the life of COTTON sails. A side-effect of the precess was the coloring of the cloth changed. Since the takeover of the sailcloth market by polyester/dacron/terylene most "tanbark" sails are dyed synthetic. I don't even know if anyone is making cotton sailcloth in Europe or NAmerica anymore.
If you like the color who cares what others think.
__________________
Num Me Vexo?
For all of your celestial navigation questions: https://navlist.net/
A house is but a boat so poorly built and so firmly run aground no one would think to try and refloat it.
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12-04-2011, 15:32
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, Fl USA
Boat: Jensen Marine, Cal-40, 40'
Posts: 11
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
Not a poseur. I currently work as Ship's engineer aboard an 85' Gaff-rigged ketch. Let's just say that I sail so that I can support my sailing habit. As for what others think? It matters. That's why we paint them purty isn't it?
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12-04-2011, 15:44
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nyack, NY
Boat: Westsail 32
Posts: 1,690
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
As a past and current owner of vessels with tanbark sail be advised they don't last as long as white sails.
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12-04-2011, 15:52
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Australia
Boat: CT 54... for our sins!
Posts: 2,083
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
Minor thread drift...
Is tan bark the same cost as white?
Do they have the same life?
How do they compare in the UV damage stakes?
Would they show signs of fading anytime soon?
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12-04-2011, 16:00
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, Fl USA
Boat: Jensen Marine, Cal-40, 40'
Posts: 11
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
It was the topless gals in the Wharram study plans that nearly had me daftly considering building a Tiki 46 until I figured that by the time I finished building it, I would be too old to sail it, or the girls! The Tiki is a fine boat. Tsk,tsk'ers be damned! :-)
__________________
Yo ho! Yo ho! etc...
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12-04-2011, 16:00
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nyack, NY
Boat: Westsail 32
Posts: 1,690
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
My vauge recollection is the Tanbark is more costly
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12-04-2011, 16:02
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, Fl USA
Boat: Jensen Marine, Cal-40, 40'
Posts: 11
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cburger
As a past and current owner of vessels with tanbark sail be advised they don't last as long as white sails.
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Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that tanbark actually lasted longer. How much shorter of a lifespan would you estimate?
__________________
Yo ho! Yo ho! etc...
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12-04-2011, 16:07
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#13
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 20,816
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
I won't comment on the aesthetics of tanbark sails... that's personal! But it is interesting to note that the tanning process on cotton sails was done to increase lifetime in use, and that dyeing dacron cloth is reliably reported to decrease lifetime in use. Seems incongruous to do so these days -- for me, maximising the life span trumps the visual impact, but as I said, such ideas are personal.
Cheers,
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Lake Macquarie, NSW, Oz
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, house-sitting ashore for the winter (and it is weird living ashore!)
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12-04-2011, 16:07
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, Fl USA
Boat: Jensen Marine, Cal-40, 40'
Posts: 11
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cburger
My vauge recollection is the Tanbark is more costly
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At sailmakersupply.com, 8 oz Tanbark dacron is $27.3/yd and 8 oz white dacron is $19.90/yd. An $8/yd difference. That does make a difference...
__________________
Yo ho! Yo ho! etc...
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12-04-2011, 16:09
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nyack, NY
Boat: Westsail 32
Posts: 1,690
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Re: How old does a boat need to be for Tanbark Sails?
When I owned a gaff rigged smack I had an excellent book covering the history of gaff rigged traditional type boats and as posted here Tanbarking was origionally a meathod for trying to preserve cotton sails by fisherman and the like. Their formulas varied from family to family. Modern dacron polyester sails in tanbark take significantly more damage from UV due to the dark color.
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