FiberPath GPGrand Prix FiberPathTue, 1st Dec 2009By Chuck Skewes  Image Credit: Kirk O'Brien FiberPath GP on a Cheetah 30 The first and highest performance of the Ullman Sails FiberPath line is the FiberPath GP. Available in Technora and Carbon or a Blend the FiberPath GP is the lightest, strongest, and lowest stretch sail available. The Technora based FiberPath has been in use in the J-105 fleet for more than 5 years and has shown huge durability and shape holding. The Carbon and Carbon blend is primarily for the full Grand Prix programs like the 70 sleds, TP 52’s, Class 40’s, Multi-Hulls, ect, but Ullman Sails has used them for boats as small as 14’ skiffs . This is mostly due to cost point and durability. The higher the loads the more need for the Carbon yarns. With Technora being such a great durable and superior product to Kevlar Ullman Sails primarily uses it to give sailors the highest quality product and the best value. Load path sails like FiberPath can be constructed basically in two ways. One is to plot the panels in widths that can be run through an autoclave laminator for the best lamination and seam the sail, the other is to lay yarns lengthwise and use a low laminate to prevent seam failure. Since at Ullman Sails we have never had a seam failure we have decided to make the laminate high quality for longer lasting sails and films. This has proven to be highly successful. We have not faced the de-lamination that the other process experiences often. This keeps the films strong and the fibers where they need to be. We have heavily used FiberPath sails in their 5th season and still competitive. All of this durability adds no extra weight to the sail. We use 24lbs per square inch of lamination versus 3lbs per square foot for a non autoclave laminated sail. Dave Ullman personally leads the design team for all FiberPath GP sails. Dave is one of the most decorated sailors in the history of the sport winning several World Championships. Click Here www.ullmansailssandiego.com/sailing-news-san-diego-southern-california.php for more on Dave Ullman. For more information on fibers used in FiberPath click here http://www.ullmansailssandiego.com/sailing-news-san-diego-southern-california.php?news_id=62 This article was posted on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 |
