UK Sailmakers Tape-Drive® Sails
Since 1985, UK Sailmakers has been dedicated to improving and refining the Tape-Drive® sail construction system — the original continuous loadpath sail technology. Tape-Drive sails truly earn the tag line “fast sails that last.” Sailors around the world know that Tape-Drive sails are the longest lasting laminate sails available. Whether cruising, club racing, or ocean racing, Tape-Drive is the logical choice for boat owners who value durability.
History of Tape-Drive
When introduced in late 1984, Tape-Drive® was the first-ever sail construction method that reinforced sails with continuous high-strength loadpath Kevlar tapes. UK Sailmakers used the Tape-Drive construction system for over 30 years. The sails earned a reputation for being exceedingly strong and durable — in fact, many Tape-Drive sails are still in use decades after they were built.
What Is Tape-Drive?
Tape-Drive is a two-part construction process in which the structural strength of the sail and the skin that defines the sail’s three-dimensional shape are separate and distinct elements.
This process marries a grid of high-strength, low-stretch tapes — the structural strength — to a three-dimensionally shaped membrane — the skin — made up of broadseamed, cross-cut laminated panels. The tape grid carries the primary structural loads of the sail, while the skin produces aerodynamic lift and handles secondary and tertiary loads. The tapes radiate across the sail with heavier concentrations at computer-predicted high-load areas.
Durability
In Tape-Drive sails, the skin laminate is uniform throughout the sail. There is no differential stretch or shrinkage from panel to panel, as commonly experienced in sails produced with traditional sailmaking techniques. There are also no load-bearing seams to creep, distort, or fail. As a result, Tape-Drive sails are acknowledged by many as the durability champions among laminate sails.
The beauty of Tape-Drive sails is that after a 3–5 year peak performance life, the sails still have plenty of strength to last for another 3–5 years of cruising, deliveries, and practice. These sails do not fall apart once they lose their racing edge.
Dependability
Depending on the size of your boat and its sailing requirements, UK Sailmakers selects the appropriate sailcloth from a wide variety of laminates made by sailcloth manufacturers specifically for the Tape-Drive construction system. These commercially made laminates include scrims made of aramid, Spectra, or polyester yarns. Professionally made laminates do not delaminate. By selecting the right laminate for your boat, UK Sailmakers optimizes your Tape-Drive sail’s dependability and longevity.
Tape-Drive for Cruising Sails
Tape-Drive cruising sails are built to deliver performance and long-lasting durability for coastal cruising, offshore passages, and club racing alike. Whether you need a roller-reefing genoa or a mainsail with multiple reef points, Tape-Drive construction ensures your sails maintain their designed shape season after season.
Cruising Genoa
UK Sailmakers Tape-Drive cruising genoas are available with multiple reefs built directly into the sail, with dedicated sets of tapes to carry the reefed luff loads. This makes them ideal for roller-reefing applications where the sail needs to perform well at both full hoist and partially furled.
Cruising Mainsail
Tape-Drive cruising mainsails are strong enough for years of cruising enjoyment while also offering the performance needed for club racing. They are available as standard slab-reefing mainsails with up to three reefs, as well as in-mast furling configurations with vertical battens.
Cruising Construction Options
| Option | Material | Shape Stability | Longevity | Shape After 500 hrs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester | Carbon fiber tapes on polyester/Mylar laminate with polyester taffeta | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ~70% | $$$ |
| Tape-Drive Carbon/Spectra | Carbon fiber tapes on Spectra/Mylar laminate with polyester taffeta | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ~80% | $$$$$ |
| Tape-Drive Silver | S-Glass fiber tapes on polyester/Mylar laminate (all-white appearance) | ★★★ | ★★★ | ~60% | $$ |
Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester (Cruising)
For club racers and performance cruisers, Tape-Drive Carbon sails made with polyester laminates offer plenty of performance at a significant savings. Cross-cut broad-seamed panels are reinforced with continuous carbon fiber tapes bonded to the sail’s surface. The cross-cut panels define the sail’s shape while the grid of tapes carries the primary loads to lock in sail shape. The carbon tapes are made with 14,000 or 28,000 filaments of carbon depending on sail size.
Tape-Drive Carbon/Spectra (Cruising)
For the ultimate in cruising durability, UK Sailmakers makes Tape-Drive sails with laminates using Spectra yarns and carbon tapes. Cross-cut panels are made of a loose weave of Spectra yarns laminated between layers of Mylar, with a single layer of polyester taffeta for abrasion resistance. The carbon tapes are made with 14,000 or 28,000 filaments of carbon depending on sail size. This is the longest-lasting Tape-Drive option available.
Tape-Drive Silver (Cruising)
The less expensive polyester laminate reinforced with S-Glass fiber tapes is a great option for boats under 40 feet. Cross-cut panels are made of a loose weave of polyester yarns laminated between layers of Mylar. The S-Glass tapes are white, giving these sails an all-white appearance — perfect for sailors who prefer a traditional look.
Tape-Drive for Racing Sails
Tape-Drive racing sails combine the shape-holding performance demanded by competitive sailors with the durability that allows these sails to serve double duty for deliveries and practice long after their racing prime. UK Sailmakers offers Tape-Drive racing mainsails and genoas in a range of material combinations to match your boat size, wind conditions, and budget.
Racing Construction Options
| Option | Boat Size | Shape Stability | Longevity | Shape After 500 hrs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tape-Drive Carbon/Aramid | 30–80 ft | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ~80% | $$$$ |
| Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester | 20–45 ft | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ~70% | $$$ |
| Tape-Drive Carbon/Spectra | 35–80 ft | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ~80% | $$$$$ |
| Tape-Drive Silver | 20–40 ft | ★★★ | ★★★ | ~60% | $$ |
Tape-Drive Carbon/Aramid (Racing)
The highest-performance material combination for Tape-Drive sails. The grid of loadpath carbon tapes is bonded to a laminate skin made with aramid yarns (aramid is the generic name for yarns including Kevlar, Twaron, and Technora). Aramid laminates come in different weights — lightweight material for small boats or light-wind genoas, medium weight for mainsails up to 45 feet, and heavy material for heavy-air jibs and offshore mainsails. These all-black sails have the least amount of stretch of any Tape-Drive sails UK Sailmakers makes. Tape-Drive Carbon/Aramid sails are perfect for racer/cruisers who need sails to last more than three years.
Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester (Racing)
For club racers, Tape-Drive Carbon sails made with polyester laminates offer plenty of performance at a significant savings. This combination is an option for boats under 45 feet as a more economical choice than sails made with aramid laminates. While the polyester yarns have more stretch than aramid yarns, smaller boats don’t generate the high loads that bigger boats do. Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester sails are not all-black, giving them a more traditional appearance. The polyester laminates come with a grey taffeta that is easier on the trimmer’s eyes in bright sunshine.
Tape-Drive Carbon/Spectra (Racing)
For the ultimate in durability, UK Sailmakers makes Tape-Drive sails with laminates using Spectra/Dyneema yarns. Suitable for boats 35–80 feet, this combination delivers outstanding shape stability and the longest service life of any Tape-Drive option. Cross-cut panels are made of a loose weave of Spectra/Dyneema yarns laminated between layers of Mylar with a single layer of polyester taffeta for abrasion resistance.
Tape-Drive Silver (Racing)
The less expensive polyester laminate reinforced with S-Glass fiber tapes is a great option for boats under 40 feet. The S-Glass tapes are white, meaning these sails can have an all-white appearance. An excellent entry point for club racers who want the benefits of Tape-Drive construction at a lower price point.
Available Racing Mainsail Options
Tape-Drive racing mainsails can be configured with a wide range of options to suit your boat and racing requirements:
- Reefing: Reefing reinforcements for offshore and shorthanded sailing
- Loose Foot: For adjustable outhaul control and shape tuning
- Cunningham: Luff tension control for depowering
- Telltales and Draft Stripes: For precise sail trim
- Sail Numbers: Class-legal sail numbers and insignia
- Leechline Options: Internal and external leechline configurations
- Taffeta: Available in double taffeta, single taffeta, or partial taffeta
- Battens: Powerhead, full battens, or square top configurations
- Sail Cover: Custom-fitted sail covers available
Tape-Drive Evolved into X-Drive®
Tape-Drive evolved into UK Sailmakers’ X-Drive construction method. X-Drive has proved as strong and as durable as Tape-Drive with even better shape-holding. Over the decades, UK Sailmakers’ sailmakers added more and more tapes to reinforce Tape-Drive sails, yet there were still good-sized gaps between tapes. These gaps reduced the sail’s smoothness and shape-holding ability.
The development of single-yarn, narrow tapes allowed UK Sailmakers to practically cover the entire surface of the sail with continuous loadpath fibers bonded to the sail. The near-total coverage results in a smoother sail that holds its designed shape longer than the original Tape-Drive sails.
UK Sailmakers’ X-Drive sails are the preferred choice for sailors who are looking for the performance of continuous-yarn sails yet also want sails that are durable and affordable. Because they deliver on all three points — performance, durability, and value — X-Drive sails have proven to be the ideal choice for racers, club racers, and performance cruisers.
Request a Quote
Contact UK Sailmakers to discuss which Tape-Drive or X-Drive sail configuration is right for your boat. Our sail designers will help you select the optimal combination of materials and construction options for your sailing style and budget.