Overall, we work with 3 main sail cloth materials. That is woven sail cloth, laminates, and membranes. Woven sail cloth is very often a cross-cut layout, laminates a radial layout, and our membranes cover our EPEX high-end sails that are produced in one workflow from design, to stringing, to vacuuming and lamination to final handwork.
Woven polyester is very often referred to as Dacron, originally a trade name by DuPont. Overall, Dacron is very durable with a good UV resistance and a strong fabric resistant to flex fatigue that a sail quite naturally is exposed to. And then it is an economic choice.
Typically, Dacron sails are designed in a crosscut layout, whereas Nylon sails are typically designed in a radial layout.
Polyester laminate is a stable 5-layer construction that combines a thin woven polyester with low stretch-oriented fibers between layers of polyester film. The stability gives the boat a good performance. Polyester laminates are very UV resistant and durable with a competitive performance/price ratio.
Laminates are typically designed in a radial layout.
The unique and patented EPEX membrane technology is the flagship of Elvstrøm Sails. A 100 % custom design where every single fiber is placed according to a load path design. This enables the absolute optimal distribution of fibers over the entire sail resulting in an outstanding shape stability and performance. The components are bonded under an extreme and constant vacuum that evacuates all air, holds the membrane in place, and compresses the membrane components.
Very often the choice of sail cloth is about performance, durability, and price. When talking performance, the essence is the shape stability of the sail, whereas the durability refers to the longevity of the sail.
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Dacron, White or Black
Woven polyester is a very durable fabric with a good UV resistance, flex and is overall an economical choice. We have a full range of Dacron styles and qualities. The woven polyester comes in different qualities with high tenacity fibers that resist long term loads. Ranging from an all-round Dacron cloth to high-quality cloth with improved stretch resistance.
A 5-layer construction, White or Grey
Polyester laminate is a stable 5-layer construction that combines a thin woven polyester with low stretch-oriented fibers between layers of polyester film. The stability gives the boat a good performance. Polyester laminates are very UV resistant and durable with a competitive performance/price ratio.
An EKKO option with recycled materials
eXRP cruise is a high-end laminate, where the UV-protective film, the taffeta, and the polyester fibers are made from recycled polyester. The combination of black polyester fibers and white taffeta makes up for a greyish look. The eXRP cruise comes in different qualities, all stabilized with UPE virgin fibers. The material is soft and easy to handle, and furls easily when used in furling sails.
Hydranet radial
Hydranet radial is a tightly woven dyneema/polyester base with a ripstop of Ultra-PE. The composition leads to a high tear strength and thus a strong and durable cloth.
An EKKO option with recycled materials
A film/film laminate is a high strength-to-weight ratio laminate made with high-tech black polyester. It is great for fast upwind sails and code zeros. The film and the polyester fibers are made from recycled material.
An EPEX material
Single Inside Taffeta is a membrane with two side film and an inside taffeta. Great for fast upwind sails with good performance.
An EPEX material
Single outside taffeta is a combination of taffeta on one side and film on the other. More flexible and lighter than the double outside combination. Taffeta is available in various weights and colours and can be combined with numerous fibres.
An EPEX material
Double outside taffeta is a combination with taffeta on both sides, that improves durability. Taffeta is available in various weights and colours and can be combined with numerous fibres.
An EPEX material
The film/film is a lightweight high-performing racing membrane. The material is available in various weights and can be combined with various fibres.
Poly Ripstop
A durable polyester reinforced Ripstop.
Lightweight taffeta
The code BZ laminate is a black lightweight taffeta with strong aramid fibres. It has taffeta on one side and film on the other side.
Tightly woven material
Nylon is tightly woven material. It is a very light sailcloth with a good breaking load ideal for downwind sails. Nylon comes in different colours and qualities, depending on the sailing preference.
The Technora black fibre is a high-performance fibre with high tenacity and low elongation, improving the shape of the sail.
The Vectran/Technora fiber combination is a very popular fiber combination for the cruising sailor both high performing and durable.
The Vectran fibre is a strong yellowish / golden fibre with a good stretch resistance and durability.
The Carbon/Technora fibre combination is an optimal solution in terms of shape and performance. Both fibres are black.
Aramid fibres are characterised by combining its lightweight properties with being high strength, having high stretch resistance and a high breaking strength. The material is stronger than steel, and this makes Aramid a great choice for a wide array of EPEX sails for Elvstrøm Sails – with the combination of strength and the low weight a good choice for cruising and racing applications alike.
The aramid is often known by its golden colour, which comes through the manufacturing process.
