Racing sails have the maximum draft in the
middle – more powerful but less forgivingGood cruising sails have the maximum draft
far forward, for longevity and ease of handlingThe difference between cruising and racing sailsTECHNICAL
NOVEMBER 2015 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 69Cross cut
This is an effi cient and relatively
easy way to make a sail, using
just a few pieces of cloth, stitched
together across the sail. The
thread lines follow the curve of
the sail, keeping the pressures
where it is strongest.Radial Cut
With as many as 200 pieces
per sail, radial sails are far more
complicated and time-consuming
to make and therefore cost more.
The benefi t is that the yarns are
always at the correct angle toChoosing the
right cut
PHOTO: COLIN WORK/YMIf they’re made
from woven
polyester, cruising
sails may at fi rst
become slightly
more effi cient as
the camber in them
migrates aft... and
then they’ll become
a lot less effi cient
as the material
continues to stretch.absorb the pressures. Computers
work out the stress paths and the
material follows this pattern.How to keep
your sail fresh
Ultraviolet (UV) rays do serious
damage to sails, so always keep
them covered when not in use.
Whatever they’re made from, your
sails won’t be able to withstand
UV forever. The best way to
extend their life is to ensure that
UV protection in the form of
sacrifi cial strips, covers or bags
are fi tted to the sails, and your
sail cover is UV-resistant. The rays
weaken each thread individually,GRAPHIC: MAXINE HEATHuntil enough are affected and an
entire yarn breaks, potentially
tearing the sail when it’s next
under load.
The other killer of sails is
stretch. Slacken off the mainsail
outhaul and furling headsail
halyard when the sails aren’t in
use, remembering of course to
tighten them up before using
them. If you leave halyards tight,
the sail will be in constant torsion,
which won’t do it any favours.
Don’t let sails fl og or rub
against shrouds, spreaders or
stays. Treat them well and your
sails will give you many years of
effi cient service.WMATERIAL 30ft YACHT 40ft YACHT
Dacron £1,700 £3,950
Ripstop £3,200 £4,600
Hydranet £5,450 £8,800
Laminate £3,800 £5,400
Single membrane £5,550 £8,350
Multi Membrane £6,000 £10,800What it costs
These are rough prices (inc VAT) for a genoa and mainsail to suit a
30ft and 40ft yacht. In practice you’ll fi nd costs vary quite a lot.Sailcloth is made in long rolls
around 1.5m wide, then cut into
panels by your sailmaker. Using a
broadseam – a fi ne curve on
each cut – the two seams are
rejoined to form a curve, which
forms the sail shape. The more
cuts a sail has, the fi ner the
curves in the seam edge. When
making budget sails, the material
will be cut in a way to make the
most sails with the fewest panels
from the roll, minimising man
hours but still giving strength.
This allows the loft to pass on the
cost saving to the customer.Cross-cut sails
are easier to
manufacture,
which makes
them cheaper