Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester – Cruising Genoa
A Beneteau First 31.7 with Tape-Drive Carbon Polyester full-batten main and Passagemaker furling genoa.
Tape-Drive Carbon earns its name from the black, carbon fiber tapes used on the sails. The matrix of load-bearing carbon tapes can be applied to a range of skin materials.
Tape-Drive Carbon Polyester is made up of a grid of carbon fiber tapes bonded to a sail made with polyester laminates. This combination of materials is an economical option for boats under 45-feet compared to sails made with aramid laminates. Shown below are two common polyester laminate options: Dimenison Polyant’s PM05T (the T stands for single sided taffeta), PM10T (for bigger boats because it has a denser weave of polyester yarns). While the polyester yarns have more stretch than aramid yarns, smaller boats don’t generate the high loads that bigger boats do. Also sailors have to balance the performance vs. the price for themselves.
Tape-Drive Carbon Polyester sails are not all black, which makes them look more traditional.
A single carbon tape on PM05T, the most commonly used polyester laminate for Tape-Drive sails.
Two different styles of polyester laminates made by Dimension Polyant for Tape-Drive sails. The taffetas and films also come in grey.
Available details:
Available with:
– Non-overlapping
– Overlapping
– Horizontal battens
– Vertical Battens
– Telltales
– Draft Stripes
– Sail Numbers
– Leech Line
Available with:
– Partial Taffeta
– Double Taffeta
Roller Furling:
– Passagemaker
– UV Luff/Foot
Cover
– Foam Luff
– Reefing
Reinforcements
Other options:
– Jib Sock