Cruising Genoa: Radial Polyester

Radial sails made with polyester laminates are a good choice for cruising sailors who need durability, yet who still appreciate the performance of sails that hold their shape better than traditional cross-cut dacron sails. 

The polyester yarns used in radial sails have much more strength in the warp direction (the warp direction is parallel to the length of the roll – See diagrams 1&2).  In order to more precisely match the warp-oriented cloth with the loads in the sail, gores need to be very narrow.  This allows UK Sailmakers to use a lighter weight cloth with the same strength.

Radial sails (with their many panels) allow sailmakers to use more than one laminated fabric in a sail.  Stronger laminates can be used in high load areas like the leech and tack, while lighter cloth can be used in the less loaded luff of the sail.  A third fabric, one that is heavy-duty and chafe-resistant, can be used in the foot panels to stand up to the abuses of tacking and chafing on the life lines.  By mixing cloth types, sailmakers can make a lighter sail that has more strength where needed. 

Cruising laminates come with one or both sides covered with finely woven polyester taffeta, which improves chafe resistance.