Sail cloth question

[Tiemo]

I've got a choice between Bainbridge HSX (balanced) or Challenge Marblehead. The loft pushes the HSX due to "superior UV protection". I am bouncing this off you folks because this is the first time buying sails. If you are familiar with these cloths, which one would you choose for a spinnaker and staysail (if these cloths were your options)? The boat is a 37' Pacific Seacraft that will be sailed both coastal and bluewater. Thanks for any feedback.

[psk125]

Spinnaker will not be made from either of the cloths you mention. They're usually made of .75 oz nylon. In San Diego, max UV protection sounds like a good idea.

[Tiemo]

My bad, I meant to genoa. I've got an aysm I am keeping on the boat as it looks like it's hardly been used. I don't know if it is plitting hairs between Bainbridge Marblehead and Challenge HSX or not, hence the question.

[barnakiel]

Marblehead is quite stiff, and I would not use it in a main that is reefed in slabs. But it is excellent in furling sails.


Looking at a sample of B HSX it feels much suppler at the same weight. So I would use this if the main is handled in slabs.


b.