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I want to see out my window!
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dougkeene



Joined: 31 May 2000
Posts: 10

PostPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 12:17 am    Post subject: I want to see out my window! Reply with quote

I've been sailing Northwave sails for the past 20 years or so. 'Used to be the windows were vinyl; they clouded when rolled wet but regained clarity after drying. I could see out of them well after many years on the water. The newer Northwaves are different...they scratch up so bad, even in the Gorge where there is no sand, that I can't see thru them after just a couple of years. Ever try sailing crowded water or down a swell when you can't see out the window? Not so much fun. I take really good care of my sails; hang them after each session. 'Tired of this scratchy film. So, I'm ready to leave Northwaves and looking for sails with vinyl windows...anyone happy with theirs?
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why not just have NW put vinyl windows in your new (or used) sails?

Ooh! Ooh! I know! Because in normal sizes, it's too stretchy, producing a foiled trampoline. I order my 3.2 and 3.7 with tiny vinyl windows; everything else is reinforced monofilm, up to my 6.2 which is non-reinforced monofilm for even less stretch (i.e., more stable foil when used above ts intended wind range).

A little stretch/give on gusty nuke days is intended and is welcome when big square-edged gusts hit; in a bigger sail it's a PITA.

What good is changing brands going to do? They all have access to the same materials, and only NW will hand-build you a custom sail made of plasmatron III or rubber if that's what you want.

I just replace my sails every year. The depreciation per year is not all that different whether I keep them for a year or 5 years and give them away, and I can SEE that way.

I've never dried a sail, and have not seen moisture-induced cloudy sails since the '80s.
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cgoudie1



Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2597
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove

PostPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:17 am    Post subject: Re: I want to see out my window! Reply with quote

Hey Doug,

I agree with Mike, just have your next set of NWs built with Vinyl windows.
But, if you're committed to another brand, (and you should be committed
for moving away from Northwaves ;*) ), I'm pretty sure the Hot Sails
Super Freak, and Smack both have PVC windows. I ride with a guy
who really rips on Hot Sails, could be the sail, but it's probably the guy.

-Craig

dougkeene wrote:
I've been sailing Northwave sails for the past 20 years or so. 'Used to be the windows were vinyl; they clouded when rolled wet but regained clarity after drying. I could see out of them well after many years on the water. The newer Northwaves are different...they scratch up so bad, even in the Gorge where there is no sand, that I can't see thru them after just a couple of years. Ever try sailing crowded water or down a swell when you can't see out the window? Not so much fun. I take really good care of my sails; hang them after each session. 'Tired of this scratchy film. So, I'm ready to leave Northwaves and looking for sails with vinyl windows...anyone happy with theirs?
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hilton08



Joined: 02 Apr 2000
Posts: 505

PostPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 6:10 pm    Post subject: EZZY Reply with quote

The windows are small, but Ezzy still uses vinyl on all of their sails.

http://www.ezzy.com/
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westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Be a lawnmower. Don't need to see where you're goin then.

Try a heat gun. Couldn't make them worse than they are now? Twisted Evil
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2015 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

westender wrote:
Be a lawnmower. Don't need to see where you're goin then.

Until ya jibe.
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westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2015 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The OP and I have sailed thousands of miles in each others wakes so I joke.
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H2OJoe



Joined: 20 Aug 2002
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2015 9:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I clean mine with lemon pledge, seems to work...
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H2OJoe



Joined: 20 Aug 2002
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2015 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PS this reply posted by his wife,,,who does the cleaning anyway Razz
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2015 8:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I clean and dry my sails once, just before getting rid of them. It achieves little (for sails used only in fresh water), since the vast majority of the vision problem is microscratches in the monofilm. I have found no product, not even plastic polish, that helps with monofilm. Vinyl/PVC, OTOH, can be made to look almost new with plastic polish and some elbow grease.
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