WA
306 posts
I hear that with time Dacron may absorbs water. Is it feasible (and recommended )to waterproof an older Dacron sail? How? Which product can be used?
Thanks
Francone
QLD
3410 posts
According to Wikipedia, Dacron sail material has low water absorbency. This allows the fiber to dry quickly if they get wet.
QLD
3586 posts
Dacron is a marketing name for PET, PET (polyethylene) is hygroscopic like heaps of polymers and so can absorb water. I'd be thinking that the dacron would need to be pretty much stored in water to absorb it though, I dunno what the absorption rates are. I wouldn't bother waterproofing it.
WA
1122 posts
Francone, you seem to be finding the most difficult route to having a windsurf sail on your SUP.
3939 posts
A 6.5 lbs dacron sail might weigh 7.5 lbs after initial uphaul, and barely affects waterstarting.
After the 6.5 lbs dacron sail is up and sailing for 3 minutes, it barely weighs 6.7 lbs., so it's not noticeable.
Due to the surface area of dacron sails, it's weave compared to flat monofilm, the drying time is about the same.
1595 posts
Regular surfboard wax works well, it does take a while to apply and you need to do both sides. It does however last a long time, in fact I guaranty you will never do it again.
3939 posts
Good stuff, BB, and especially if you melt it just barely, and brush it over the entire sail.....
Best to just shake the sail after you get it up in the air....like pumping. The water flies off quicker than a monofilm sail.
Yes, I do use a 4.5 SuperFreak as my sail of choice in that sizing, and I have North Voodoo's, Zeta's, WW InterfaceWave and Airs, NP Search, Ezzy Waves, and Simmer Reefs, and Loft Lips in that sizing.
1482 posts
i have seen expert windsurfers bring their kit to the water and beachstart with their sail NOT touching the water
if they fall in after that - racing , trying something new or mistake/breakage
in other words - as others have said - don't leave it in the water
personally NEVER put anything on my sails, but local, Georges, once suggested 303 Aerospace Protectant
it was more for UV protection on monofilm, but other than that I have NOT heard of anyone putting anything on their sails
VIC
317 posts
Put a sticker on mine once...
WA
1122 posts
Yeh, you could get a sail maker to replace any areas of Dacron with monofilm.
I didn't think Americans did satire.
