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Dear Superyachters, In 2002, I think we can say that there are 2 definite trends in Superyacht sails.
Lets look at the carbon fiber evolution by examining 2 current projects nearing completion.
The new Wally 105 with an I of around 47 meters does not have to have carbon fiber sails. However the owner's uncompromising approach to his yachts and the Wally carbon ethic mean that Main and jibs are 100% 3DL carbon fiber. It is no longer uncommon to see carbon fiber 3DL sails but these are a little special. First of all, they are silver gray. We have used a custom silver gray taffeta over the 3DL film in an effort to create a truly all purpose mainsail that will race the Rolex and St Tropez AND cruise to Greece. The idea behind the taffeta is that it will better protect the film and extent the useful life of the sail. It is unthinkable with a mainsail this size (E=13.50) to have 2 sails with 2 sets of battens. We expect 3+ years out of this main. Just for good measure, the sail lives in a Southern Spar furling boom. Another nearly finished project with carbon fiber sails is Captain David Hutcheson's Dubois 52 meter Squall. This yacht is in build at Perini Navi will be the most performance oriented yacht ever produced there. A 57 meter I and the fact that Hutch and I both wanted to sleep well at night dictated the use of North's proprietary spectra carbon. This hybrid costs a little more but gives a lot more performance while lasting as long as a normal spectra sail. Hyperion, Virela and Endeavor have shown that you really can have performance and durability with spectra carbon. The Squall main will also be in boom furling- this time courtesy of Marten Spars. We have recently added two more Perini Navi yachts to the Tedlar hall of fame. Simon Clarke of the 52 meter Liberty with North spectra sails followed the sistership Independence (North tedlar covered spectra) to Auckland and back and knew that Independence had zero sail problems AND that their sails won the Dash challenge for whiteness. Small wonder that Simon signed up for Tedlar this time around. Liberty is one of the most intensively used yachts in the Superyacht fleet. Think about never washing your sails again. Think about never taking the sails down to be washed again. Tedlar is more user friendly.
Taouey is a 58 metrer Perini Navi with sails from one of our competitors. The original issue sails have been durable and have satisfied the Captain Antonio Messeri in every way except that he does have some world class mildew. If you do the varnish 3 times a year and gild the doorknobs every 3rd year, then the sails have to come up to the same standard. With Tedlar, you will never be ashamed of your sails again. North Sails Italia is honoured to be on this great yacht. I believe that Antonio's genoa at 24 meters on the foot is the widest fore and aft sail we have made to date! These great customers are keeping us in the forefront of Superyacht sail development. We are also doing our part. First, we are expanding the Italian loft from 1600 to 3100 square meters. We want to be ready for the jump from 60 to 80 meter sloops. Secondly, we have leased a large building 4 minutes from exit 41 Cannes to provide improved personal service to our Cote d'Azur based clientele. Marcus Lubken will be managing the upgraded structure as in the past. His cell phone is +33(6)07036367. We intend to offer expanded storage facilities for your sails here. We have the best sail products in the industry and we intend that our Med based customers will also benefit from the best Superyacht service on the planet. |
