Types of sailcloth

There are only a limited number of fabric suppliers worldwide that every sailmaker uses. The main ones are Challenge Sailcloth, Contender Sailcloth, Dimension-Polyant, and Bainbridge. Below you will find further information about the most commonly used types of sailcloth.

There are various types of sail fabrics available, ranging from traditional Dacron/polyester variants to the latest laminates incorporating materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, and Pentex. Here are some common sail fabric options:

Dacron: Dacron is a popular choice for cruising sails due to its durability, affordability, and ease of handling. It comes in different weights and weaves, offering a balance between longevity and performance.
Laminate sails: Laminate sails are constructed by bonding multiple layers of fabric together, often combining different materials to optimize strength and weight. They can incorporate fibers such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, and Pentex to enhance performance.
Kevlar: Kevlar is a high-strength synthetic fiber known for its excellent tensile strength and low stretch properties. Kevlar-reinforced sails are lightweight and offer good performance, making them suitable for racing or high-performance cruising.
Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber is a lightweight and incredibly strong material that provides excellent stiffness and shape-holding characteristics. Carbon fiber-reinforced sails are commonly used in high-performance racing sails for their ability to maintain sail shape in varying wind conditions.
Pentex: Pentex is a high-tenacity polyester fiber known for its exceptional strength and resistance to stretching. Sails made with Pentex blends offer a good balance of performance and durability.

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Pro Radial Dacron van Challenge

Most cruising sails are made of Dacron. Dacron is the most durable fabric available on the market and comes in various types and qualities. To achieve maximum shape retention, a radial cut of the sail is necessary, for which a special type of Dacron is required. Examples of such Dacron fabrics are Challenge Pro Radial or Contender Pro Warptech. We offer these as Offshore/Racing sails.

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CDX Pro van Contender

This polyester cruising laminate is engineered by the cloth manufacturer Contender Sailcloth for durability and cruising performance. This incorporates an advanced adhesive for extended UV resistance and a robust additive for extra protection against mildew. Both of these properties ensure a trouble-free and uncomplicated day-to-day use of these sails as well as positively extending their life span. Combined with the enhanced performance given through the stability of shape, this is the perfect sail solution for the serious yacht owner.

Contender’s CDX Pro fabric combines high shape retention with maximum durability. This fabric is available in both silver gray and white. These sails are radially cut and are offered as High Performance Cruising sails.

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Lite Skin van Dimension-Polyant

Rolly Tasker Sails is proud to introduce a new Lite Skin® range of fabrics suited for crosscut sail assembly. Intention was to develop a durable and shapeholding sail in modern look, efficiently produced for best price to value, matching the requirements of most performance orientant cruisers or club racers.

The addition of Dimension-Polyant Lite Skin® outer layers protects the film, reduces film shrink over time, offers less water absorption than a traditional taffeta and provides increased chafe protection from film only laminates. The external layer is coated with UVt®, DP’s proprietary UV and anti-microbial finish to increase UV protection while deterring mildew growth. The fabric feels soft hand for good handling and attributes a lighter weight than typcial cruise laminates with taffeta on both sides. Thanks to the characteristics of laminate construction the sails are less sensitive for delaminating, thus longer lasting than membrane sails in particular in high UV stress areas. The Lite and Medium weights are 100% polyester, constructed for smaller boats up to 35 foot. The Heavy version for boats up to 40′ steps up to a aramid scrim for reduced material stretch.

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Carbon Tape zeilen van Dimension-Polyant

Performance Tape Carbon is our latest range, a lighter sail with extremely shapeholding properties ensuring a strong and durable construction. Made from a Dimension Polyant single taffeta base laminate with carbon tapes laid in load direction. These sails are excellent for the demanding performance sailors.

Our latest range – a lighter sail with extremely shapeholding properties ensuring a strong and durable construction. Made from a Dimension Polyant single taffeta base laminate with carbon tapes laid in load direction. These sails are excellent for the demanding performance sailors.