what is this sail made of?

[cshelden]

I purchased an EC12 on ebay, the owner used to sail in NC with a club but it has set for 7 years or so, as he moved to Texas. The sails seem very thin and light almost paper like or parchment, they were made by Amen Design Group. Any thoughts on what these sails are? I'm guessing light air sails, which will be all but useless here in Oklahoma...as light air is 10-15 mph.

Charlie
www.ssmyc.org

[MichaelJ2K]

They're mylar. As long as they fit the measurements, they should be fine. You can contact John Amen directly at his site amensails.com

[cshelden]

Thanks for the quick info.
I had always thought of mylar as a more plastic material but what do I know. I appreciate the info.

Charlie

[kahle67]

They are most likely made from Test 505 (smooth on one side with a silky scrim on the other) which is rare these days as I believe it is no longer made. Amen used this all the time for his light air EC-12 sails as well as all purpose sails for smaller boats. Mark Rinehart won the Nationals last year with some sails made from it. You are right, they won't hold up in 10-15 mph winds so if they are in good shape you might consider another set more suitable to your conditions. Save the Amens as your light air weapon. If they are already blown out, wear it 'till you tear it.

RK

Reichard Kahle
Charleston, SC

[MichaelJ2K]

If you contact John, give him the sail number below his logo. He can tell you when he made them and what material it is. http://www.amensails.com. He's back in the business of making sails for EC12's.

[Rick West]

Charlie,
These are the prized 505s and good only under 3 mph. They have proven to be the best light air sails today in use with EC12s.

Please do not use these in air stronger in you testing. They are very fragile for shape. This cloth is no longer available at this time.

...94

[greerdr]

Can anyone compare Test 505 to Dupont's "377" fabric?

R.C.Greer

[cshelden]

Thanks for the info on the 505 sails Rick. Under 3mph...wow. GUess they won't be used much here in Oklahoma. Actually the day I tested them the wind was non existant and Ray Wright had his 12 out and remarked how impressed he was with that material. I'll roll them up and save them for the one day a year we have no wind around here as most days are 12-15 it seems.

Charlie
www.ssmyc.org

[MichaelJ2K]

Charlie,
Don't roll the sails!!![:0] If you have some clear wallspace in a room, pin them loosly to the wall. The reason is that the reinforcement areas of the sails will set the curve and will be a PIA to get out. Keep them flat if possible. As me how I know.[:D]

[cshelden]

Thanks for the tip. I snagged a large appliance box at work today. I'm going to cut it to fit the sails and just put them in and seal it up, stick it in the corner along the wall.

Thanks,
Charlie

[MichaelJ2K]

And keep them out of the way of errant kitty cats[}:)] (if you have one). Sails make a neat sound when you play with them and claws can do a number as well. [:(!][8][B)][:0] Danny Thomas and I can attest to that!