Sails are a fascinating engineering statement, and when all is said and done, what’s sought after is the lightest material possible that will neither stretch nor tear as it withstands the ravages of wind-induced pressure, vessel righting movement, and harassment from sunlight, chafe, atmospheric deposition, and other deteriorating effects. Thanks to modern chemistry, cotton cloth lies well astern, but for several important reasons, even after 50 years, Dacron has yet to be destined for the junk pile. The pros we interviewed for this article remained surprisingly bullish on Dacron, and it caused us to do some research into why the modest polyester fiber still has such a following.
The answer has to do with cost and chemistry, or more specifically, the crossover point where features such as tenacity, flexural endurance, UV stability and resistance to chemical deterioration stack up on a cost-per-square-yard basis. For those looking to stretch their sail buying dollars, Dacron delivers. But the real value lies in tightly woven high-yarn-count “premium” Dacron, a material that hold its shape and will keep cruisers happy for the long haul.
For more advice and recommendations on sails – what to buy, carry and use – purchase Practical Sailor’s ebook Sail Buying, Sail Making, & Mainsails.
Also, check out the complete 3 volume series, A Look at Sails at a price that’s like getting one ebook free when you buy the other two.
