A GUIDE TO SAILS

NEW SAILS

On any yacht, sails represent around 90 per cent of the visible surface, so it’s an important thing to get right. Thankfully, these days, classic boat owners have a number of options when it comes to sails, from the ultra-traditional – cotton – to high-tech membrane sails made of exotic materials for racing (although not in the Med, where the CIM rating system in use penalises anything less than authentic – and that includes sails). For the great majority, sails made from woven polyester prove to be the most sensible compromise. Their fortes include cost, longevity, and the ability to closely mimic the boat’s original appearance.

WOVEN POLYESTER: DACRON AND TERYLENE

Woven polyester sail cloth first became available in the 1950s. Is was then generally known as Terylene, which was British company ICI’s trade name, while nowadays it is commonly referred to as Dacron, which is the equivalent product of American