Rick:
If you were getting say, a 150% genoa made from a lighter cloth than
what you are proposing (8.88 and 9.1 oz.), I would definitely spend the
extra money and get a tri-radial.
For a 135% from cloth this weight, I doubt there is much of a
performance difference between the tri-radical and the cross cut.
I have a 150% tri-radical which I used for the first 3 years when I got
the boat......nice sail and really holds its shape but I found be too
much sail most days here. I had Doyle make me a 135% from 8.3 oz.
cloth, its a cross cut, and I doubt I could tell the difference if it
was tri-radial.
Nevertheless, I do believe the tri-radial is a superior design which
will hold its shape over time but you will pay for the extra cloth (much
wastes) and extra stitching (labor) needed to make it. If you can
afford the extra 15%, then why not get the better design.
Rob Abbott
AZURA
C&C 32 - 84
Halifax, N.S.
On 2016-08-15 8:05 PM, Rick Brass via CnC-List wrote:
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’m in the process of getting a new
set of sails for Imzadi. Thank you to the listers who recommended
lofts and commented on their experiences.
The specs for the new main are pretty well set. All the quotes so far
have recommended cross cut, loose foot, full batten sails (using my
existing Strong Track hardware), made frhallenge sailcloth.
But there seems to be a range of opinion about the 135% roller reefing
headsail. I’m looking for a 135% sail that can be reefed down to about
100%, with a balance of durability and good performance – and
performance is probably worth some extra money to me. The quotes I’ve
gotten all recommend a cross-cut sail made from Challenge High Mass
Fiber sailcloth between 8.88 and 9.1 oz.
I’ve always understood that tri-radial construction offered superior
performance and shape over cross-cut construction.
But one of the sailmakers has commented that both his cross-cut and
tri-radial headsails would be designed using the same (virtual) mold
so there would be little performance difference – not enough to
justify the increased cost for a cruising sail. A second sailmaker
says the tri-radial sail will “hold its shape better over the long
term”, but said the significant increased cost (about 15% for
tri-radial construction) make cross-cut a better option.
So what is the experience (or opinion) of the list about the value of
tri-radial construction? Give me some guidance.
Rick Brass
*Imzadi *C&C 38 mk 2
*la Belle Aurore *C&C 25 mk1
Washington, NC
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what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are
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