Cruising Headsail: X-Drive Endure
After extensive testing, UK Sailmakers is happy to introduce a new filament for cruising sails that will last and have great shape holding. X-Drive Endure is made with narrow Endumax® ribbons. Endumax is an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, similar to Spectra® and Dyneema® — fibers known for high strength and durability. Endumax tests nearly as well as carbon, which means cruising sails can be made with the same performance as racing sails in a clean classic white appearance. Because these sails are made with Endumax and because they have the endurance that is required for successful cruising and shorthanded sailing, we named the new line of sails, X-Drive Endure.
According to Teijin, the makers of Endumax; It is made of a special type of UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), making it the strongest UHMWPE film available in the world. It also has a higher modulus and better abrasion resistance, UV resistance, creep properties and thermal-aging performance than other UHMWPE fibers. Teijian also says that Endumax is the most sustainable UHMWPE product available, being made in an environmentally friendly, solvent-free process. As a result, the film contains no additional processing aids or solvent residue. And the thermoplastic nature of UHMWPE means that it can also be easily recycled.
Extra Durability With Taffeta
To help protect today’s sails and extend their peak performance lives, UK Sailmakers builds all our X-Drive cruising sails where one side of the laminate is fully covered with a lightweight finely-woven polyester taffeta that not only protects the film layer from abrasion but also prevents cracking of the film and reduces creasing. While taffeta does not add any strength, it does make the sail last longer. We also offer the option of putting taffeta on the second side of the sail over the X-Drive fibers — with either full or partial coverage. Taffeta comes in white, black or grey.
The video below shows the partial taffeta in action.
Partial Taffeta Option
The leech of any sail benefits from having extra taffeta protection; when a sail luffs, the leech is the area most exposed to flogging, abrasion, and potential damage. This is particularly the case for boats with overlapping genoas that get dragged across shrouds and the mast in every tack.
UK Sailmakers will work with you to determine the right amount of taffeta to add to your sails based on your boat, the kinds of sailing you do, and your budget. Having both sides covered with taffeta makes a sail more durable, but also would make the sail heavier. UK Sailmakers offers a Partial Taffeta option to save weight and cost.
Taffetas are available in either white, black or grey.
Available details
Available with:
- Reefs
- Loose Foot
- Cunningham
- Telltales
- Draft Stripes
- Sail Numbers
- Leechline Options
Available with:
- Partial Taffeta
- Double Taffeta
Battens:
- Powerhead
- Full Battens
- Furling Mains
Other Options:
- Lazy Cradle
- Lazy Jacks
- Dutchman
- Sail Cover