CT Sailbattens News July 2012

  Here it is:

Introducing C-Tech's solid composite C-T PlateBattens    

                                                          

 New to the market in 2012 are C-Tech's PlateBattens, a new range of solid composite

 battens designed to complement and extend our existing CT Sailbatten range.

 

 Rigorous testing has proved that C-T PlateBattens are stronger than conventional

 pultruded carbon battens. C-T PlateBattens are made from pre-preg carbon with the

 taper built into the laminate. The outside fibres are continuous - unlike pultruded

 battens which have to be ground in order to create taper. With C-T PlateBattens

 yachts as small as 12ft can now take advantage of C-Tech's superior sail batten

 technology. 

    

 Full length 

 Full length C-T PlateBattens are made from quality pre-preg carbon fibre with a carbon

 cloth outer layer. Stock lengths are available from 1500mm to 4000mm. Longer  

 battens can be made to order.  

 

 Leech

 Leech C-T PlateBattens are made from a blend of pre-preg carbon fibre and pre-preg

 s-glass. S-Glass near the tip provides flexible, durable battens with the right bend

 characteristics. Stock lengths are available from 1500mm to 3500mm. 

    

    

                                    

                               New to the market in 2012 C-T PlateBattens from C-Tech

 

     Key features and benefits:

•   Taper built into the laminate 
•   Continuous outer layers  
•   Fibres wont split off outer layer 
•   Stock batten lengths
•   Wide range of widths and stiffnesses
•   Superior strength-to-weight ratio

    Yachts using C-T PlateBattens 

•   Skiffs and racing dinghies (mainsail)
•   Multihulls
•   Cruisers after a performance boost
•   Racing yachts e.g. AC45's, RC44's, JV 72's

       Size of yachts using C-T PlateBattens

•    Full length: yachts 12ft - 50ft
•    Jib Leech: yachts 20ft - 70ft
•    Main flutter (leech): yachts 40ft - 90ft

Flexible Taffeta Laminate (FTL) sailcloth from CSF’s

I just received following news from CSF:

Flexible Taffeta Laminate (FTL) is CSF’s soft Mylar and Polyester laminate. FTL provides a similar type of material to that already offered by Contender’s Trifab™ Cruising Laminate or North Sails Soft Norlam™ product lines.

The cloth is ideal for cruising applications where a durable performance laminate is required with a soft hand. It is equally suitable for both cross cut and radial sails.

FTL is a price competitive upgrade from Dacron and sits below MCL in our product price range.

Construction is with a Taffeta laminated either side of a Mylar film. The material is then coated with a chemical formulae in a proprietary process developed exclusively by CSF complete with anti mildew and anti UV additives, before being conventionally heat set.

As a result FTL feels and handles like woven polyester - two tough high tenacity woven polyester taffetas are laminated either side of the Mylar before being coated and heat set just like normal polyester woven cloth.

Sailmakers who use CSF service will have one more sailcloth to choose.

Offcourse, again, independent review (or feedback) would be nice to hear.

SMAR Azure News - May 2012

SMAR Azure has posted Newsletter - No.2 - May 2012.

CS-530 mildew stain remover

Just heard about CS-530 cleaner. If data on official web site is true it is nice solution for cleaning sails and covers.

I would especially like it if following is true: "Is Biodegradable, Non-toxic, Virtually Odorless and Environmentally Safe"

Would be nice to hear feedback from actual users.

Warp-Drive from Challenge Sailcloth

I just received little news from Challenge sailcloth.

They introduced new 5.11 weight into their Warp Drive style.

Warp Drive is dacron fabric introduced one year ago and you can find more info in Warp Drive Article.

It would be really interesting to have independent review (and comparison with other) of this fabric.

Changes to IRC Rules For 2012

Here is IRC rule changes for 2012. Bold are related to sails.

The following Rule changes come into effect on 1st January 2012 (1st June 2012 for South certification year).

• Rule 9.6 is amended to clarify the position when a rating protest has been lodged.
• Rule 10.6 is amended to give the Rating Authority greater flexibility.
• Rule 21.5.3 is amended to remove the mainsail widths minima in the interests of greater equity for boats with in-mast furling mainsails. 
• Rules 21.7.1 and 21.7.3 are amended to remove the headsail widths minima in the interests of greater equity for boats with overlapping headsails or a roller furling headsail.
• 
  
• Rule 22.3.3 is amended to require boats with canting keels to have a physical lock at maximum keel cant angle.
• The definitions of h and y are amended without change in meaning to replace defective wording and to improve clarity.
• The definition of LP is amended to clarify which sails are included in the measurement of LP for cutter rigs. 
• Typographic corrections without any changes in meaning have been made to Rules 9.6, 25.1, 26.1, and the definition of LH.

ISAF Offshore Special Regulations Change

There are some changes in ISAF Offshore Special Regulations 2012-2014 regarding storm and heavy weather sails. Summary of this changes are:

• new sails visibility definitions
• calculation of sails area
• heavy weather jibs now can have reefs

More details you can find in official document.