Sail Construction Detail
Our sails are warranted for at least 3 years.
The sails you purchase from Liberty Sail and Canvas Loft are built from the highest quality woven Dacron, made for superior shape holding. They are designed for the sailor who truly values performance and durability.
Each sail utilizes Dupont's high modulus type 52 Dacron fiber. It is constructed with a tightness and weave balance that locks the fibers together so it is not dependent on resin for its long term shape.
There are four primary factors that affect the quality and cost of Dacron sailcloth:
1. YARN
QUALITY
Yarn quality varies in terms of tenacity (breaking strength), modulus
(resistance to stretch), creep (long term stretch) and "weaving quality. " A
high tenacity, high modulus yarn produced specifically for weaving is the most
desirable and also the most expensive.
2. YARN
CONTENT
Yarn content relates to the aspect ratio of the particular sail. Lower aspect
sails (number 1's) require a more balanced weave, with fibers of similar denier
and count in the warp and fill. Higher aspect ratio sails such as blade jibs and
high aspect mainsails require more, heavier fibers along the load lines and
fewer across the sail.
3. TIGHTNESS
OF THE WEAVE
The tightness of the weave varies for a number of reasons, including:
- The size of the yarns employed; The smaller the yarn denier, the tighter the weave.
- The shrinkage of the yarns employed. Higher shrink yarns will produce a tighter weave than lower shrink yarns.
4. TYPE OF FINISH
The type of finish used on the sail greatly affects the feel of the material.
Also, highly resinated materials often rely on the resin for stability and when,
after extended use, the resin begins to break down, the sail begins to change
shape. Resin quality and quantity greatly affect the overall quality and cost of
the sailcloth.
We do not believe in the practice of re-resinating sails. Sails that are old and have distorted shapes will still be old and distorted after the resin wears away in a few seasons. The heat process that is employed tends to shrink boltropes and leech lines compounding the problem. The cost of a new sail is by far a much better value in the long run.
Mainsail
Challenge or Bainbridge High Modulus sail cloth (high resistance to stretch). Made in the USA
Reinforced Reef Points on most
sails
Mainsail
reefs are used to depower a boat as wind speed increases. Reefing makes the
mainsail smaller and flatter. Each row of reefs consists of a heavily reinforced
patch with a grommet at the luff for the tack horn and a grommet at the leech
for the reefing outhaul. Between the reefed tack and clew we install a row of
evenly spaced smaller grommets called reef diamonds. They provide a way of
gathering up and tying off the excess sail. No loads should be put on the
interim points. They are used just for house keeping
Reinforced batten
pockets with front-end elastic to hold battens securely.
Adjustable leech line and cleat. Controls leech flutter in high winds or as the sail ages. Fluttering not only impedes performance, but also increases wear on the sail.
Rugged corner and reef
patches that ensure long-term durability.
Internal bolt-rope adds strong luff reinforcement, with fastened slides or slugs. Standard on most sails.
Draft Stripe: A colored, horizontal stripe that helps you determine the draft depth in your sail.
Aluminum Head Board.
Hydraulic pressed rings, tack and clew
Double or triple stitch seams.
Telltales
Sail ties
Sail bag
Headsails
Challenge or Bainbridge High Modulus sail cloth (high resistance to stretch). Made in the USA
Adjustable leech line and cleat. Controls leech flutter in high winds or as the sail ages.
Rugged corner and reef patches that ensure long-term durability.
Foam luff (roller furling headsails) A foam luff provides better sail shape by flattening the head sail as it is furled. This means improved performance in reefed conditions.
Sewn in bolt rope with brass hanks (hank on headsails)
Double or triple stitch seams
Telltales
Sail bag
At Liberty Sail and Canvas Loft we are an independent sailmakers, sail cleaning sailmaker. Producing sails and custom boat canvas serving the Philadelphia, New Jersey Delaware Eastern Pennsylvania. We are sailmakers and custom canvas fabricators. We manufacture sail covers, bimini tops, dodgers, boat tops, boat cushions and custom boat canvas. as well as sail cleaning, boat canvas cleaning Philadelphia, New Jersey sails and repairs, sail cleaning, bimini tops, Sail covers, dodgers, sail covers, sailmakers, Sail maker Philadelphia, New Jersey sailmakers.