Which companies are using new canopy materials and how do they compare? I know a lot of companies are advertising advancements in canopy materials, but are any of them truly improving performance, durability and longevity, or are they really just minor evolution of Ripstop? Im not as concerned with making the canopy lighter, more focused on resistance to puncture and bagging.
Ocean Rodeo (Aeris) - Appears to be something totally new and improved. I believe this one is truly next gen.
Duotone (Mod3) - Perhaps lighter, but not sure this is a true advancement otherwise.
Cabrinha (Nano) - Seems like pretty standard ripstop to me.
North (Matrix) - ???
Ozone - ???
PPC (MK) - ???
Anything else out there or coming?
Select to expand quoteVelocicraptor said..
Which companies are using new canopy materials and how do they compare? I know a lot of companies are advertising advancements in canopy materials, but are any of them truly improving performance, durability and longevity, or are they really just minor evolution of Ripstop? Im not as concerned with making the canopy lighter, more focused on resistance to puncture and bagging.
Ocean Rodeo (Aeris) - Appears to be something totally new and improved. I believe this one is truly next gen.
Duotone (Mod3) - Perhaps lighter, but not sure this is a true advancement otherwise.
Cabrinha (Nano) - Seems like pretty standard ripstop to me.
North (Matrix) - ???
Ozone - ???
PPC (MK) - ???
Anything else out there or coming?
Mod3 - definitely not lighter, very noticeably heavier both to touch and in flight. But feels a lot stiffer and more responsive. The stability of the new slick especially when over powered is fantastic.
North Mode Pro has Matrix-NHTRS canopy fabric. They say it's:Select to expand quoteNew Matrix-NHTRS CanopyCompared to a traditional canopy Matrix is 2.5x stronger on the 0/90deg warp/weft direction and 5x stronger on the 45deg bias direction. This gives your wing canopy greater structural integrity for longer. It will maintain its designed shape over time, especially when used in the overpowered conditions that the Mode Pro excels in.
It feels stiffer and more robust than conventional fabric. One feature they don't mention is the fabric is water resistant. The canopy dries in a few minutes ... depending on the weather.
1 thing to consider when purchasing wings with new exotic materials is the availability for repair.
I recently was disappointed with the availability of Alulla material in Canada getting my Dlab fixed. Only 1 approved repair vendor in Canada and on the other side of the country. 6 weeks turn around time. I reached out to Alulla about purchasing material so I can get fixed at the many repair shops locally but no support.
This is really disappointing especially because Alulla leans really hard into how their wings are recyclable and better for the environment etc.
Doesn't seem environmentally friendly when I have to ship my wing 3000km just to get it fixed. Not to mention the wait time involved. First world problems I know.
Just make sure when purchasing the wing comes with adequate materials to get it fixed locally.
Select to expand quotefoilthegreats said..
1 thing to consider when purchasing wings with new exotic materials is the availability for repair.
I recently was disappointed with the availability of Alulla material in Canada getting my Dlab fixed. Only 1 approved repair vendor in Canada and on the other side of the country. 6 weeks turn around time. I reached out to Alulla about purchasing material so I can get fixed at the many repair shops locally but no support.
This is really disappointing especially because Alulla leans really hard into how their wings are recyclable and better for the environment etc.
Doesn't seem environmentally friendly when I have to ship my wing 3000km just to get it fixed. Not to mention the wait time involved. First world problems I know.
Just make sure when purchasing the wing comes with adequate materials to get it fixed locally.
I reckon this will be the case with most of these new materials. They will hold them tightly and not be too willing to "lose control" of the distribution of "their" material.
Access of this material is one issue, the other is whether the repairer can actually work with this type of material to do the repair.
Wondering if North will transfer their 3DI material from their windsurfing and yacth sails across to their wings. This material looks amazing and is available for repair work by local sail repairers.
Select to expand quotefoilthegreats said..
1 thing to consider when purchasing wings with new exotic materials is the availability for repair.
I recently was disappointed with the availability of Alulla material in Canada getting my Dlab fixed. Only 1 approved repair vendor in Canada and on the other side of the country. 6 weeks turn around time. I reached out to Alulla about purchasing material so I can get fixed at the many repair shops locally but no support.
This is really disappointing especially because Alulla leans really hard into how their wings are recyclable and better for the environment etc.
Doesn't seem environmentally friendly when I have to ship my wing 3000km just to get it fixed. Not to mention the wait time involved. First world problems I know.
Just make sure when purchasing the wing comes with adequate materials to get it fixed locally.
Amen brother!
The vast majority of wing damage is foil strike against frame or canopy. The standard repair is to tape both sides of the cut and sew around the edges. All that takes is a suitable tape that will stick to the fabric. The only hard part is closing the leading edge seam, if required, particularly around any tight corners.
In that context all you need from the manufacturer is the specification of tapes that will stick to their fabric.
I'm not sure it is an improvement to do an "invisible" repair using original materials. That hugely increases the complexity of repairs and doesn't necessarily end up with a superior result. I would want to be very confident in the skills of my repairer before I would be happy for them to start pulling my very expensive wingding apart to do a "pretty" repair. Our local guy does lovely work with the tape and sew method.
You also have "Ultra PE" or "UPE" or "Ho'okipa" in some brands (Gong, Airush, Mistral, ...)
From what I gather, they are rigid while sailing but easier to pack afterwards.
Material made by Challenge Sailcloth
www.challenge-outdoor.com/ultra-collection
PS: These new materials are stronger, but may add more stress and/or abrasion to other parts of the sail in contact with it (seams, bladders, ...). Something to look for in how they stand the test of time.
I think the real trick is for them to make a material that's higher performance and still turns to garbage after 6 months so they
can keep the wing ding cash cow producing.
I really don't give a **** about performance I'm just tired of replacing the damn thing so often (and I only buy cheap last years wings). I can't imagine paying full ticket to keep up a quiver!
Select to expand quoteTooMuchEpoxy said..
I think the real trick is for them to make a material that's higher performance and still turns to garbage after 6 months so they
can keep the wing ding cash cow producing.
I really don't give a **** about performance I'm just tired of replacing the damn thing so often (and I only buy cheap last years wings). I can't imagine paying full ticket to keep up a quiver!
This was the reason I stumped up for the new slick with the Mod3 canopy, hoping I'll get a couple of seasons out of it before it bags out instead of 2/3 of one like the old wings !!
Ran Unit 2023 Mod3 for a year and I'm out at least four times a week every week, sometimes more - canopies still in great shape on my wings and have just changed over to 2024 Units.
So for me Mod 3 although a bit heavier was a complete game changer for stopping canopy bag out.
I've also had access to a Strike V3 used for way less time on the water - canopy is visibly bagged out in comparison.
