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Sailor James and John Conway of @SV Felurian Talk about His New Rolly Tasker Sails
February 2, 2024 · 21 min · 4K views · Fry's Harbor, Santa Cruz Island
What this video covers
Choosing new sails requires balancing material, cut, and intended use to match a boat’s specific cruising profile. For a 2009 Beneteau Oceanis, the owner replaced original cross-cut Dacron sails with a tri-radial cruising laminate from Rolly Tasker.2:48 The selected Contender GPX Pro cloth uses a polyester-based laminate with taffeta on both sides for UV protection and durability, offering better shape retention than traditional Dacron without the high cost and short lifespan of racing-grade carbon or Kevlar laminates.5:17
To improve single-handed handling, the owner downsized the genoa from a 140% to a 130% to better manage high winds common in the Channel Islands.13:15 The new full-batten mainsail pairs with a Tides Marine Strong Track system to reduce friction and ensure the sail drops easily, addressing common issues with stiction in the mast groove.17:04 While Dacron remains the most durable choice for long-term offshore passages, cruising laminates provide a performance boost for coastal sailors by resisting stretch and maintaining an efficient airfoil shape over a seven-year expected lifespan.9:21
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