Radial – Cruising Genoa


A Najad 570 with radial Spectra roller-furling performance cruising sails.


Radial layout approximately aligns the strongest yarns of the laminate with the primary loads that run between the corners of the sail.

Radial sails were the only performance construction choice before Tape-Drive®, X-Drive® and other loadpath construction methods were invented. Radial sails are still an option for cruising sailors who do not want an X-Drive or membrane sail.

The fully articulated panel layout of a tri-radial genoa rotates the cloth’s thread line to match the primary load paths between the three corners of the sail. Radial cut sails are made with long narrow panels (called gores) are designed to align the strong warp yarns of the laminate with the primary load paths of a sail as those loads spread across the sail.  The gores radiate from the corners of the sail, because all loads start from a corner and then run in arcs across the sail to the other two corners.  


Radial woven polyester cruising genoa.

 

Construction Options


Radial
Dacron

Description:
Tri-Radial panel layout

Construction:
Long narrow panels radiating from the three corners that follow loadpaths connecting the corners.

Material:
Warp-oriented woven polyester cloth

Shape Stability:
★★

Longevity:
★★★

Shape after 500 hours:
Circa 60%

Price:
$$$


Radial Polyester

Description:
Tri-Radial panel layout

Construction:
Long narrow panels radiating from the three corners that follow loadpaths connecting the corners.

Material:
Warp-oriented polyester laminates

Shape Stability:
★★★

Longevity:
★★★

Shape after 500 hours:
Circa 60%

Price:
$$$


Spectra or Hydranet

Description:
Tri-Radial panel layout

Construction:
Long narrow panels radiating from the three corners that follow load paths connecting the corners.

Material:
Spectra: Warp-oriented Spectra laminates

Hydranet: A woven material with both Spectra and polyester fibers.

Shape Stability:
★★★

Longevity:
★★★ – ★★★★

Shape after 500 hours:
Circa 60-80%

Price:
$$$$$


Tri-Radial Dacron roller/reefing genoa on a Dufour 40

Tri-Radial Dacron roller/reefing genoa on a Dufour 40


Tri-Radial polyester laminate roller/reefing genoa

Tri-Radial polyester laminate roller/reefing genoa


HydraNet roller/reefing genoa on an Oyster 68

HydraNet roller/reefing genoa on an Oyster 68


Tri-Radial Spectra Laminate roller/reefing geona

Tri-Radial Spectra Laminate roller/reefing geona


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