Transferring the technology and knowledge from exisiting products and into the future has been a major point for Elvstrøm Sails through the last years - and we are proud to present another big step for our new composite sails, the XYLO Technology.
The first generation of XYLO saw the light of day at boot Düsseldorf in 2023, and it has since seen further refinement and development ahead of this year's presentation of XYLO aimed at the racing scene.
This also makes the mark for a name change - our new, racing-oriented XYLO will be known as the XYLO Core.
“Since our first launch, we have been investing time and resources in developing a version of our composite sail technology with a more distinct racing profile, by reducing the weight and using filaments only. The common denominator is high performance, but by reducing the weight, we’ll be able to tailor the product more specifically to the dedicated racer,” says CEO Morten Gantriis Sørensen.
Lightweight and immense shape stability
XYLO is constructed from Technora-derived spread-filament tapes which ensures great fibre coverage throughout the full sail area - and essentially, it gives the sail an outstanding shape stability, all whilst maintaining light weight.
A defining feature of XYLO in the design process is the ability to orient the fibers optimally in all directions, ensuring that the sail is reinforced exactly at its natural load paths. And the shape stays intact no matter where the load moves.
360 degree stability
Another unique feature is the way the filaments are bonded together under the construction of XYLO Core. A crosslinking, thermoset adhesive creates the ideal combination of strength and flexibility to ensure the material keeps a strong and solid sail shape - yet maintaining the flexibility to handle, gybe and tack.
“We use a very advanced and extremely strong adhesive that crosslinks and creates a robust structure during curing. And since it is a thermoset adhesive it stays fully stable after the curing process", Morten Gantriis Sørensen says and adds:
“A major advantage of using flat filaments in a sail is that a much larger surface area is covered by fiber. That eliminates small fiber-free gaps in the structure, increasing strength and delivering truly outstanding shape stability. XYLO filaments can be oriented in any direction—full 360 degrees—creating a highly robust and long-lasting material. XYLO is bonded under high vacuum and then laminated, using processes like EPEX membrane sails, says Morten.
Full circle
Introducing XYLO also means that Elvstrøm Sails has a sail portfolio to cover all the main technologies of today. From woven cloth and laminates to membrane sails (EPEX), and now Composite Sails in the shape of XYLO Core and Force.
