Lesser-quality Dacron, which is more loosely woven of coarser yarns, relies more on its resin finish for stability, often yielding stiff, less manageable sailcloth. Because of its many tightly woven, low-stretch, fine-denier yarns, this sailcloth has better, more durable stability. Premium Dacron is the designation given by most sailcloth manufacturers to their finest woven polyester. Sailcloth woven from polyester, such as Duponts Dacron, is remarkably seaworthy and an excellent choice for mainsails on most cruising boats under 60 feet. Many of the details Ill discuss apply equally to both types. While furling mainsails have their adherents, Ill focus on the more common traditional mainsail thats flaked or furled on top of the boom when not in use. Workmanship at the sails seams, corners, and edges and the quality of hardware also play key roles in its durability. The useful life span of a mainsail is largely dependent upon the strength and stability (ability to retain shape) of the sailcloth and its resistance to chafe and the suns ultraviolet rays. As cruising sailors, we generally want durable, long-lasting mainsails that will perform well in a wide variety of conditions and are easy for the crew to handle and maintain. The type of mainsail and options you choose will depend on not only your rig and vessel but also the type of sailing you do. Perhaps more than any other sail in our inventory, the mainsail deserves careful consideration, whether youre selecting a new sail or maintaining or improving the one you already have. See more construction details Standard battens on a 42-foot Alden Nordfarer add support to the leech and a fraction of roach. Our modern, cross-cut construction features panels joined with extra wide seams, using a combination of adhesives and multiple rows of triple-throw stitching, with additional 'butterfly' reinforcements at both the inboard and outboard ends. Quantum's woven polyester racing mainsails and headsails deliver long-lasting performance. This allows Quantum to not only use the very best, but also make sure the fabric is appropriate to the application.īuilt to Take On the Toughest Racing Conditions We test and use only top-grade sailcloth, appropriate to the application, selected from the best that leading suppliers have to offer. All woven materials are not created equal there are variations in yarn type, thickness, weave and finish. Minimizing stretch is the key to creating a durable sail with exceptional shape holding. Quantum’s woven sails are made using only the highest quality, tightly woven, and most stretch resistant woven polyester available. The firm, crisp feel, and the load noise of a luffing sail are characteristic of the 'yarn tempered' finish found in racing woven materials.

Woven materials for racing sails differ from their cruising counterparts based on the amount of resination. Sail shapes feature a smooth, flat aerodynamic profile for optimum upwind performance, with an open trailing edge to reduce heeling and weather helm. When it comes to boat handling and speed, it's sail shape that makes the difference. Sail shapes are custom-designed for your boat by Quantum’s experienced sail designers based on expected usage and boat-specific constraints such as mast bend, displacement and righting moment. Durability, ease of handling and performance are equally weighted design criteria.

Quantum's woven polyester mainsails and headsails (RW 1000) set the standard for cross-cut construction, bringing an unmatched level of refinement and attention to detail to the basic workhorse of the racing inventory.

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