Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester – Racing Mainsail
A Farrier F9AX with a set of Tape-Drive Carbon Polyester racing sails.
Tape-Drive Carbon’s name comes from the black, carbon fiber tapes used on the sails. The matrix of load-bearing carbon tapes can be applied to a range of polyester/mylar laminates.
Tape-Drive Carbon/Polyester is made up of a grid of carbon fiber tapes bonded to a sail made with a polyester laminate. This combination is an option for boats under 45-feet as a more economical choice than sails made with aramid laminates. Shown below are three 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) and the last image shows PM10 that does not have taffeta. 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.
Tape-Drive polyester laminates come with a grey taffeta that is easier on the trimmer’s eyes in bright sunshine.
Three different styles of polyester laminates made by Dimension Polyant for Tape-Drive sails.
Tape-Drive Carbon Polyester mainsail and genoa on a C&C 37R
A single carbon tape on PM05T, the most commonly used polyester laminate for Tape-Drive sails.
Tape-Drive polyester laminates come with a grey taffeta that is easier on the trimmer’s eyes in bright sunshine.
Available details:
Available with:
– Reefs
– Loose Foot
– Cunningham
– Telltales
– Draft Stripes
– Sail Numbers
– Leechline
Options
Available with:
– Double Taffeta
– Single Taffeta
– Partial Taffeta
Battens:
– Powerhead
– Full Battens
– Square Top
Other options:
– Sail Cover