What is the BEST Sail Cloth? | Sailing Wisdom

If you have ever asked yourself: "What are the different types of sail cloth?" then this is the video for you!
We will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different types of commonly used sail cloth materials. We will look at which sail types benefit from the different cloths, and how they play into the specialty sails which can make your sailboat cruise along like a champ!
We will be looking at Dacron sails, Laminate sails, and Spinnaker cloth sails.

0:00 intro
0:31 Dacron Cloth
3:27 Laminate Cloth
5:11 Spinnaker Cloth

[AlienX]

Long live Dacron !! ⛵
Don't forget to give a thumbs up for Herb & Maddie !!

[Seafariireland]

Excellent lesson, thank you! SkipRay, Kerry, Ireland.

[spider]

I know the video was about cloth but maybe a video on having your sails built?
Cross cut or tri radial? How many reefs? What material? Fully battoned? Are the battons full length all the way? Extra roach? Cunningham? Cut for performance when partially furled?
The list goes on, almost like selecting car options when having a sail made.

[stanleybest]

Triple stitch and a better description of a Cunningham. Super

[louisfbrooks]

I have always like the color of Wisdom's sales. Great episode.

[paulpaul]

There are hybrid fabrics such as polyester with dynema so the polyester stretch tendancy is significantly reduced.

[colrodrick]

Hi guys YT just sorta delivered your channel to me. I have no idea how it figured out I was looking at sail cloth (which I'm not really atm) but I was watching making a tarp sail for a PDR (don't laugh) and I guess I fell alseep watching it, so perhaps that's plugged into into YT algorithm...

Thank you for an informative video. All this I knew (except the laminated stuff, because that sort of came about when I'd left competitive racing over 40 years ago) of course, but you put it together nicely and succinctly.

[juanarevalo]

Great video as always.
I'd like another about different types of battons sails can have (even be battomles), how it affect performance and pros and cons of each type.
Thank you in advance

[markmahan]

Excellent information, and for me, the timing of this video is perfect as I'm in the market for a new mainsail. Thanks so much!

[bojangles]

Laminate sails have come a long way. North sails 3Di, which are proprietary are not like your traditional laminate sails.

They are incredible and the 3Di process have forever changed the way sails are made. These are the same sails used by the Volvo 60's and many are still in use after two laps around the world in the most punishing conditions. The ENDURANCE 780: Ultra PE / Carbon / Aramid. These are; yes very expensive, although the trade off of performance and durability and longevity make them a solid investment. One thing I have come away with over the years, is performance is everything. Of course each boat and crew has limits. I see many cruiser making the tenderfoot mistake of wallowing around slowly under canvased. Finding that sweet spot in performance, sea state and speed are fundamental to safety at sea. Having the capability and speed to skirt around weather rather than being constantly subject to it, is a great advantage. A vessel that can comfortably make speed in a seaway is under rated by many when choosing vessels and sails. Nothing is more exhilarating than putting in a 200nm plus 24 hour run.

[melinda]

Very informative! You know I love these types if videos the most. Thank you very much.
Looks lime a great sail day it was filmed. Stay Safe!

[johnmaliskey]

I have camping tents that I coat with Scotch Guard and this gives longer life with abrasion resistance. Two light coats in areas that will chafe may help out. It's worth a try enjoy

[NAVIGATOR]

FLAX SAIL OLD FASHONED BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY !

[goneswimming]

Great video! I just forwarded it to my son. Love from B-more

[z_actual]

My Pearson 365 ketch has a main and mizzen that came with the boat, theyre over 40 yrs old. I still have the spinnaker too but the sail maker things it will just blow to pieces.
Last season before covid I was getting up to 7.5 knots broad reach on this 22, 000 lb boat. The mains been retabled but the mizzen is very heavy cloth, I wouldnt consider replacing it because of priorities. Of all things I need is a triradial that has more drive higher, this because a 365's rig is very short but stout at just 46ft above the water. A staysail might be nice too.
the entire sail plan is very simple there are no outhangs orangutans or vangs so I might have to add some kit after I fix up the slab reefing system,
and it is undeniably safer to lead lines back to the cockpit

[daneulekowski]

Just subbed after your adventure with BOAB.

[simoneclarke]

We always learn so much from you two, thank you🥰

[HankMeyer]

You two ought to do a video about how mail works in the cruising life.

[sweetescapecutter]

love the videos look forward to each new one

[coenvanwyk]

Thank you for this. I sail a chinese-style junk rig, and I am looking to replace the sails soon. I do not like the stiff dacron sail material I can get, so I am looking for more canvas-like cloth such as Top Gun or Duradon.