I'm updating my almost 20 year old set-up. I'm a bit worried about all this monofilm. How long will it last? My 1980's sails are still quite usable, (apart from some delaminating dacron/mylar), but I can't see that thin bit of plastic lasting 10 to 20 years. How durable is it?
I only get to sail about once a month, and always on flat water, so maybe I'm worrying about nothing.
Avoid cutting your sails with chainsaw, or any other sharp instrument for that matter. oh and try not to run over it in your car, especially if you have snow chains on your tyres.
But apart from that, I don't think you have to worry about anything. Although no one really plans to keep their sails for 10 years, you probably can anyway if you are only sailing flat water (no chance of waves smashing it) and once a month. Just rinse it off in fresh water after each use to get the salt and sand off it. It will last as long as you want.
You'll get your moneys worth don't worry about that.
Monofilm and durabilty don't go. Monofilm is bloody awful. But you try buying a sail thats not made from the stuff today. Go figure.
The biggest threat is caused by the Sun. Keep your sail away from it by sailing in the dark.
The second threat is caused by creasing. Creasing is caused by a)Crashing. b)Rolling the sail up badly after use. Or unrolling and rolling in windy conditions (Flapping). c)Sticking it on your roof rack and squishing it flat with roof rack straps. d)Touching your sail with anything other than cotton wool. e)Sometimes looking at it admiringly can cause BIG creases to appear.
Finally, New sails that you care about tend to attract dogs, harness hooks, reefs, whitless tourists with small children and sharp pointy bicycles more than battered sails.
I got some Ezzy's that are 6 yrs old and still going strong however.
Harrow, if your old sails have lasted that long, I don't think you should have any longevity problems with a new sail. Mylar and I think Dacron are both made from polyester (polyethylene terephthalate or PET to be precise) as is monofilm. It's basically the same polymer as most soft drink bottles. It's very tough against blunt impact but is generally not very scratch, puncture or UV resistant, so sand and sun and everything gary has mentioned above are its natural enemies. So if you want to get a really long life out of a sail, only sail it after dark in a mud lined dam aftger you've cut your fingernails. But otherwise, a well cared for sail should last for yonks. And while you're at it, get some of that tungsten-carbide chain that the stump grinders use for your saw, so you don't have to cut your firewood on your sails. Sails will last longer, less bits of smelly plastic to burn in the firewood, you'll never have to (nor be able to) sharpen the chain ever again, and you can chainsaw dirt, steel posts, car bodies, and concrete pylons till the cows come home. Everyone's happy then!
What do they use to preserve foods like meat? PUT SALT ON IT!
Therefore salt should not be washed off your sails. The salt will preserve it. As it will on your car and windows at home etc.
I know that most of you will want to pay me for the advice after you save thousands of dollars not having to replace sails, update cars etc but you can thank me later.
quote:Originally posted by whynerI know that most of you will want to pay me for the advice after you save thousands of dollars not having to replace sails, update cars etc but you can thank me later.
and so will you local waterboard for saving thousands of litres of water used through unnescessary hosing, plus salt makes lots of things taste better too - just ask any woman
The general consensus among locals here have developed this special formula for buying new wave sails
5.8m2 Neil pryde = 5.8m2 Gaastra = 6m2 North = 6.5m2 Ezzy
Took your advice and put salt in the goldfish bowl. Seems to be working as they are all floating on the surface without any sign of their flesh falling off. How long before they wake up again please?
Cha-Ching ! $ailmakers never had it so good repair wi$e since monofilm appeared on the scene. It's low stretch charactistic was the main trigger for the shift, but at the same time never 'truely' worked in heavy abuse applications such as wavesailing.
Windsurfing sails became invisible for a period of time but colour has returned in various forms, and monofilm still proudly remains the standard. Clear PVC window material is creeping back in small doses and actually aids in shaping if used cleverly.
Kites are constructed mainly of dacron and rip-stop nylon and are surprisingly durable.
I come from a skiff sailing background and have done a bit of sailmaking and personally I think monofilm is ****e. It's basically the cheapest product on the market and you won't catch too many yachts with monofilm sails coz they don't last. Which is why I am so confused why windsurfing sails costs so much yet have so little durability.
All windsurfing sails should be made from mylar/kevlar which means that the monofilm still perishes in the sun but it won't rip through coz the threads of carbon will stop it.
Very durable though
