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

According to Wikipedia, Dacron sail material has low water absorbency. This allows the fiber to dry quickly if they get wet.

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.

Francone, you seem to be finding the most difficult route to having a windsurf sail on your SUP.

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Francone said..
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

Do not worry about it. Waterproofing is completely unnecessary on your sail.

You do have to waterproof your fins though.

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.

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.

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.

Or you can just buy a monofilm sail,problem solved

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Beaglebuddy said..
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.

I didn't think Americans did satire.

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

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John340 said..

Beaglebuddy said..
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.

I didn't think Americans did satire.

Actually we invented it. This I feel is not.

Put a sticker on mine once...

put monofilm tape to keep it dry then ??
this is a joke - in case mis-interpreted

Yeh, you could get a sail maker to replace any areas of Dacron with monofilm.

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joe windsurf said..

this is a joke - in case mis-interpreted

What, the whole thread?

Just buy a New Sail !!!