Racing - Selecting a New Main Sail

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Selecting a New Main Sail

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Racing
Forum Description: Hanse Chat about various races, gear setup, sail choices, rig tuning, etc....
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6857
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:40
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Topic: Selecting a New Main Sail

Posted By: silversailor
Subject: Selecting a New Main Sail
Date Posted: 10 August 2012 at 22:10

After 7 seasons with my original equipment North dacron main, I'm ready for a new one. Since I don't have a local sail maker, I'm looking far and wide, all of which has confused me thoroughly. Since I do club races weekly, distance races (65nm +) along with extensive cruising, I want a sail this is performance oriented but one that I can cruise with. Recommendations have covered the field: dacron cross cut to triradial laminates to carbon to string sails... one even recommended 100% mylar! Prices ranged from $2500-8500US.

I am interested in your experiences and choices of new, upgraded mains and sail makers. Feel free to PM me as well.

Thanks all.

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Silversailor
South Haven, MI USA
S/V Legacy
2010 Andrews 28

Replies:

Posted By: superliga
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 19:39

For Cruising or partly cruising i would for Pentex or maybe Spectra if you mave the $ to spend.

Had it on a older boat and I think its the best compromise.

I my opinion Dacron looses shape too quickly. Kevlar and Mylar are not suited for cruising.

Dont let them talk you in to excotic materials where the markup is higher.
Focus on getting a sail that measures 100% to your max measurements.

Here is a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailcloth

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PEARL - S/Y SUPERLIGA - HANSE 470 e - Hull #168 - hanse470.com

Posted By: AnnSea
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 22:47

Hi SilverSailor,

I've bought a MauriproSailing jib - made of Vectran. I'm very happy with the performance and the dealer service. Don't know about the longevity but they are claiming it to be as good as Dacron but with better shape holding. They are based in the U.S. and might be worth a look,

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Tim

AnnSea 370e #418

Posted By: Ian Robinson
Date Posted: 15 August 2012 at 16:34

Hi,

North Sails made me a new main back for the 2009 season from their Norlam 2000 XP Gatorback cloth. My spec was performance cruising too. It has now been in use for 3.5 seasons and has logged nearly 8000nm. Its a great sail. The cost in 2009 was £2,766.

Regards

Ian

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Ostara a 370#88

Posted By: silversailor
Date Posted: 02 September 2012 at 01:07

Thanks all. I've had the opportunity to talk with many sailmakers and to receive numerous suggestions and quotes. Along the way I learned that that "offshore sailmaker" that so many speak of in disparaging terms is actually a real place... the China Sail Factory... a very high tech, skilled sailmaker which only serves other sailmakers, not individual consumers. There's an excellent article about the CSF in a link at www.islandplanetsails.com I urge you to read it. Then I found that many of the quotes I received were for sails made by the CSF. Some, like Mauri pretend that it's their own product. The sailmaker has the ability to shape the sail. It completes a multipage form for CSF who, in turn, produce a cadcam drawing of the new sail. If your sailmaker is straightforward with you, he will share this spec form and the drawing with you. It's important to go over these before the sailmaker gives CSF the go ahead. I plan on ordering one of their sails for spring delivery through Dave at Island Planet who I have found to be very open, willing to discuss thoroughly how and where I sail and to answer multiple questions (sometimes more than once). Additionally, his pricing was excellent. Stay tuned....

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Silversailor
South Haven, MI USA
S/V Legacy
2010 Andrews 28