Cruising Dacron

Cruising Dacrons

Dacron (Polyester) is the cloth of choice for sailors looking for the best balance between cost, durability, weight, and shape retention (modulus). Woven polyester was given the brand name of Dacron by DuPont in the United States, but it also has several other names in other countries.

There are several manufacturers of Dacron sailcloth that Precision Sails can use to build your cruising sails. Bainbridge International Sailcloth, Mazu Sailcloth, Contender Sailcloth, Dimension Polyant, and Challenge Sailcloth all make fantastic sailcloth of varying weights and qualities that can be used depending on your application.

In order to simplify choosing the appropriate cloth for your needs, Precision Sails has grouped the cloth offerings from these sailcloth producers into the 300, 400, 500, and Tri-Radial Dacron Series. These series represent Entry Level, Mid Grade, and Highest Quality. Each series of cloth contains several options. The sailcloth that is best for you will depend on your sailing area, size of boat, how much sailing you typically do, and how long you intend to keep your boat. We offer sail consultations and can recommend which series is best suited for your needs. The actual cloth choice can be decided once you and your designer have discussed the final design of your sail.

If you are a weekend warrior, coastal cruiser, or crossing oceans in extreme weather, Dacron sailcloth is a great choice. The woven construction provides incredible durability and reliability. Many Dacron sailcloth’s are finished with UV resistant and mildew resistant treatments to allow for use in tropical areas.