Radial – Cruising Mainsail


UK Sailmakers tri-radial Spectra full length batten cruising mainsail. Click to enlarge.

Radial 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 and other “string-sail” construction methods were invented. Radial sails are still an option for cruising sailors who do not want a Tape-Drive or membrane sail.

The fully articulated panel layout of a tri-radial mainsail 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) designed to align the strong warp yarns of the laminate with the primary loadpaths as they spread across the sail. Because all loads start from a corner and then run in arcs across the sail to the other two corners, the gores radiate from the corners of the sail.  

 

Construction options


Radial DacronDescription: Tri-Radial panel layout  Construction:  Long narrow panels radiating from the three corners that follow load paths connecting the corners.  Material: Warp-oriented woven polyester cloth     Shape Stability: ★★  Lon…

Radial
Dacron

Description:
Tri-Radial panel layout

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

Material:
Warp-oriented woven polyester cloth

Shape Stability:
★★

Longevity:
★★★

Shape after 500 hours:
Circa 60%

Price:
$$$


Radial PolyesterDescription: Tri-Radial panel layout  Construction:  Long narrow panels radiating from the three corners that follow load paths connecting the corners.  Material: Warp-oriented polyester laminates     Shape Stability: ★★★  L…

Radial Polyester

Description:
Tri-Radial panel layout

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

Material:
Warp-oriented polyester laminates

Shape Stability:
★★★

Longevity:
★★★

Shape after 500 hours:
Circa 60%

Price:
$$$


Spectra or HydraNetDescription: 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: Spectra a…

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: Spectra and polyester woven material

Shape Stability:
★★★

Longevity:
★★★ – ★★★★

Shape after 500 hours:
Circa 60-80%

Price:
$$$$$

 


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