sail weight

justall · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 442

I have been looking to replace an older sail. Most marketing materials highlight how lightweight the new sails are, right around 4 kg in the 6-6.5 meter range with 5 battens. I see as low as 3.6 kg for a 6.1m if going to just 4 battens. To see how far the sail world has come, I decided to measure my existing "old" Gaastra HiFly 6.3m 5 batten sail; it weighs only 3.2 kg. Maybe I need to re-calibrate my package scale, but I don't think it is off. I kept thinking the latest technology would lead to sails vastly lighter than my old one.

So, the question is, are today's heavier sails just a better balance between weight and toughness? My HiFly is mostly the smooth/clear material but getting brittle ... maybe that is indeed the tradeoff?

I know the weight won't matter much, but curious.

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

Often the newer sails include lots of extras that provide greater durability and/or convenience. Some of these features are added material in the boom opening to assist in mast insertion, a strap at the bottom of the luff to help thread the sail on the mast, an allen or screwdriver tool for tensioning the battens, a protective bead of material along the foot of the sail to prevent abrasion, an extra grommet at the clew for outhaul, and a more stout pulley assembly for downhaul. These are only some of the extras you might find in today's sails.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

IMO after testing hundreds of sails for a magazine and myself, a sail's scale weight has no bearing on its PERCEIVED weight under sail. The latter is the cumulative result of MANY independent and related factors including shape, aerodynamics, aspect ratio, stability, mast bend, 1 centimeter tuning tweaks, and much more. The board, not us, is holding up the sail; it's the dynamics -- what WE deal with -- that matter.

nw30 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 1:12 pm Post subject:

Most of the other components in windsurfing, boards, masts, booms, etc. have become much lighter since those old days with old sails, so sail weight isn't much of an issue these days. Also those superlight sails of yesterday, too much thin monofilm, were so fragile with a short lifespan, that they became undesirable.

My brother used to have a pro race sail from the late 80's that was pure monofilm, and it didn't even have a leach hem on it, the monofilm just ended with a cut. It was so fragile that he didn't even want to use it, but it was fast. Ended up giving it away.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

A few ounces here or there means nothing when the rig is on the board and under power. Booms and masts can add up and increase swing weight on sail flips. So mostly you get a better sail with a much larger wind range. Lots of nice little things added to make rigging and tuning easier. Most modern sails last much longer and can take crash and burns better than the older mono film sails. Worth the investment.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

'80's sails were lighter than '90's sails.
'70's sails were lighter than '80's sails.
Older sails also had less range and much less stability.
"NEWER" sails started around the later '90's.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

coachg, how right you are. I have a newer 7.0 right now, and it's top flight in waterstarting, handling and jibing. With the recommended 100% carbon mast, the rig handles as lightly and easily as my 6.3, but with a lot more power on tap.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 9:20 am Post subject:

Gaastra ...3.2 kg. Is pretty light, in comparison several regular production sails are around the 3.6 you mention.

It's possible to make a very light sail, it would be at the expense of strength and durabilit

I think 1 pound or better will be felt on all aspects.

I have a custom 7.0 that is 3.4,kg , sail with others who have mostly Ezzy Cheetahs, in 7.5 and larger. The 7 holds it own, gross generalization , but fundamentally true.
This is 1 to 1.5 pounds lighter than others.
I would not consider the weight difference on new sails , the primary objective, it should be a combination things.

If you look at any number of sails you will find a difference in materials through Out,
Most sails now don't use mono, even in the least demand areas, they use xply.
The materials should have a heavier version as more mil , stronger . Comes at a weight increase.