Mylar Sails

Has anyone had mylar sails on their Hobie 16? I read somewhere that when they came out (late 90's?) they didn't go as fast as the dacron. I don't know if it was a marginal performance issue or what, but I guess when Hobie tried the mylar they cut the sails exactly the same as dacron. The dacron stretches, and the mylar doesn't, so the dacron actually increases in area with more wind.
I'm not a racer as of yet, just a cruiser and joyrider looking to spruce up my 16. I'm working on acquiring a set of new(er) sails, and wondering if mylar is something worth considering. The vertical cut options and shiny bright colors look awesome. Just like food, the color makes it taste better.

Make sure you put a square top on it for the boost in hull-flying performance; no matter what the material!!

Bob Curry

The mylar H16 sails were cut much flatter than the dacron. They fly in 15+ MPH, even at above minimum crew weights, however they are a disaster in light to medium especially with chop. They were only produced for a few years therefore any mylars you find will be 8-10 years old. At that age I would think wear and delamination would effect consideration as racing sails. Dacrons are much more versatile.

Chris is right. I had a mylar sail from '92 through '97 and it went like hell in heavy air. Mine seemed to be fuller than most though.

Still, nobody seriously races with a mylar sail anymore.

For dacron, should I consider aftermarket 3.9oz cloth, or the heavier 5oz? Is there a lifespan issue? If it was a square top it's not class legal, is it? I don't think I'll be competing with this boat, just cruising and having fun. Is the original Hobie sail the best, or just required for class legal events? Do the sails lose their shape as quickly as I have heard (1-2 years) and does it matter to anyone but the diehard racer? Here in Manitoba we have very very good wind, but lots of gusting (lots of days 30-40 km/h gusts to 50-70 km/h). My present sails are probably original on my mid-70's boat, time to update the boat a little.

If you are sailing in a primarily windy area, I'd go with the 5oz dacron main. Better durability and less stretch. The only time lighter dacron would be better would be if you were in an area with light winds.

We had an 1988 H17. It had the Neil Pryde Mylar sails like the Hobie 16's of the same vintage. A few big issues:

1. They were cut very shallow. Light wind was terrible.
2. Delamination. After three years of use, the bottom 4 feet of the sail was in horrible shape.
3. There would be spots where the sails would never dry.
4. They were pin-head designs. Without the flat top it was tough to spill air without traveling way out.

On a side note, Pentex is only 10-20% higher priced now-a-days compared to Dacron from a materials standpoint. Places like Calvert that are charging $1300 for a flat-top Pentex sail are way over priced. Shop around.

The stock Hobie sails are made from 5.6 oz cloth. The 5.6 oz cloth we use is from one of the best textile companies in the World, Tejin. It is good stuff. We have spent many years trying for better, more durable sail materials and feel now that the sails are the best they have ever been. The stock sails include teflon luff tape to make hoisting easier. Heavy duty stainless head grommets with INOX rings. Stainless reinforcements in the jib clew plate holes and many more features you will not get from another sail maker.

In short. Hobie Cat makes the best sails available for a Hobie 16.

You may not want to race your boat, but think of two things... Durability of the stock sails and Resale value with race legal sails.

For dacron, should I consider aftermarket 3.9oz cloth, or the heavier 5oz? Recommend heavier sail cloth, especially for your high wind area.
Is there a lifespan issue? Yes.
If it was a square top it's not class legal, is it? No.
I don't think I'll be competing with this boat, just cruising and having fun. Is the original Hobie sail the best, or just required for class legal events? You have to decide. See my comments below.
Do the sails lose their shape as quickly as I have heard (1-2 years) and does it matter to anyone but the diehard racer? Top H16 racers replace their sails every 2-3 years, "average" racers maybe 5-6 years, the jib gets blown out first. A recreational sailor could be happy with their sails for years, depends on amount of use and personal taste.
Here in Manitoba we have very very good wind, but lots of gusting (lots of days 30-40 km/h gusts to 50-70 km/h). My present sails are probably original on my mid-70's boat, time to update the boat a little. If your main has the "starving dog" look with the battens tightened, then it is time for a new sails. Used sails are an option but may be hard to track down. Our friend Dan Berger, Cat Sailor classifieds or Sailing Pro Shop are some places to look.

I agree with Matt from HC that their sails are well made and are much improved in the last several years. HC sails are required for (class) racing. Jib and main will cost you about $1200.
I do not know much about aftermarket H16 sails. They are cheaper than the HC sails but some of that is in cheaper material (3.9 oz. cloth).
If you want to go custom (e.g. square top, mylar, etc.), you are getting into an area where YOU have to decide what YOU want out of the sail. Some work has been done on H16 squaretops (Calvert, Sabre?) but you will need to specify to the sailmaker how you want the sail cut or how you want the sail to work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31281&item=2467861114

The above URL will lead you to an auction for a set of factory H16 Mylar sails.

http://www.pointsails.com/

Chip Buck used to run the Hobie loft. He and a few others have the Point Sails loft. They will do custom work.

http://www.calvertsails.com

They have been offering Mylar sqr. tops for years.

http://www.doylesails.com

I know a guy with a set of Doyles and they are made very well.

Those sure look like Dacron to me.

Those are dacron sails on e-bay.