Experience with UK Sails X-Drive Endure ?

[Macwoody]

Hi folks, does anyone have experience with UK sails X-Drive Endure ? It is a relatively new type of laminate sail that I am looking to buy for my 60ft alu monohull.

[Kestrahl]

There is nothing really new there, laminate sails with UHMWPE fibers have been around for a long time. If double taffeta they generally last well if the lamination is okay. The film side goes on the single taffeta sails after around 6 years of normal use. I had a spectra double taffeta mainsail on my own boat which was okay, but in the tropics after 4 years your could damage the taffeta with your fingernail, and it looked so ugly with all the mold trapped inside I threw it away and made a sail out of a good woven. They always say they have improved the fungal growth resistance, but they never have. Only way is to coat the sail in anti-fungal every year. In a cold climate and if they sails are removed in the winter then not a problem.