Broadly speaking, three main factors influence what cloth type and weight is used for a specific spinnaker: the spinnaker type, its area, and its intended purpose (ex: cruising versus racing).
- For cruising (standard or custom cut), we follow the recommandations of Contender or Challenge.
- For racing spinnakers, we use Contender, Challenge, or Bainbridge cloth.
Spinnaker cloth for our cruising spinnakers
Our cruising spinnakers are made with 1st choice spinnaker cloth from both Contender (Dutch company) and Challenge (US company), whether they are standard designed or custom designed.
1. Contender Nylite – Maxilite spinnaker cloth
Contender’s spinnaker cloth range is as follows:
- Nylite 90 = a 0.9 oz – 48gr/m2 cloth that we use for asymmetrical spinnakers size 00 (291 sq ft) to size 5 (689 sq ft), and for symmetrical spinnakers size 1 (484 sq ft) to size 9 (1248 sq ft). This cloth is a good ‘all around’ cloth for smaller / light air spinnakers.
- Maxilite 150 = 1.5 oz – 75gr/m2 cloth for asymmetrical spinnakers sizes 6 (807 sq ft) to 18 (2851 sq ft), and for symmetrical spinnakers sizes 10 (1399 sq ft) to 18 (3099 sq ft). This is a good choice for a broad range of larger spinnakers / heavier air use.
- Nylite and Maxilite come in 15 colors, so you can choose your own color theme
You might notice that for a given spinnaker size, the cloth weight can be different for an asymmetrical spinnaker versus a symmetrical spinnaker: for example, a size 6 symmetrical spinnaker still uses a 48gr cloth whereas a size 6 asymmetrical spinnaker moves to a 75gr cloth. The reason is quite simple: intended purpose. An asymmetrical mostly intended for reaching will pull on cloth much more than a symmetrical mostly intended for downwind, and requires a heavier cloth or you incur the risk of tearing the spinnaker.
2. Challenge Fibermax spinnaker cloth
Challenge’s spinnaker cloth range is as follows:
- Fibermax 44 – 0.75 oz / 44 gsm, used for asymmetrical spinnaker size 00 (291 sq ft) to size 5 (689 sq ft), and for symmetrical spinnakers size 1 (484 sq ft) to size 9 (1248 sq ft). This cloth is a good ‘all around’ cloth for smaller / light air spinnakers.
- Fibermax 64 – 1.5 oz / 64 gsm, used for asymmetrical spinnaker sizes 6 (807 sq ft) to 18 (2851 sq ft), and for symmetrical spinnaker sizes 10 (1399 sq ft) to 18 (3099 sq ft). This is a good choice for a broad range of larger spinnakers / heavier air use.
- Fibermax comes in 13 colors so you can choose your own color theme
About spinnaker cloth weight
Cruising spinnaker cloths of the better quality are nowadays woven from high tenacity nylon. They are specifically designed for cruising or club racing applications, and are designed to balance range, durability, and value. These are better fabrics than equivalent polyester, especially when using a sock or a furler which apply extra strain on the material.
Nylon weight is usually expressed in ounce per sailmakers yard, usually 1.5 and 0.75 oz or 0.9oz per sailmakers yard. However, this weight is taken BEFORE the coating goes on, and this “weight” does not tell you the full story of your fabric. Some sailmakers may market the fabric they use as 0.75 oz, referring to the pre-treatment weight. But the actual weight (the post-treatment-weight) could be much more.
That’s why we also use gr/m2 (gr per square meter) as specified by our fabric suppliers for spinnaker applications – this is a pretty straightforward measure that represents the actual weight of the cloth on your boat.