Maine Sailing Partners

Holmenkol

For many years Team McLube's Sailkote has been a favorite lubricant of racing sailors everywhere.  Now German ski wax manufacturer Holmenkol is introducing its own line of marine lubricants and coatings to the U.S. via Contender Sailcloth.  Holmenkol claims that its new products are based on nanotechnology allowing it to create "self organizing, intelligent and ultra-thin coatings."  Holmenkol's coatings resist abrasion, reduce friction, and repel water and dirt.  Whereas Sailkote eventually washes off, Holmenkol can only be removed through abrasion.  If Holmenkol's products really perform as claimed, then they could prove very useful.  Holmenkol treated spinnakers will shed water and easily slide out of hatches and around stays.  Roller furling sails treated with Holmenkol will roll tighter and resist mildew better than sails treated with fungicides or Sailkote that eventually wash out.  Holmenkol can even be used as a polish on boat bottoms to reduce friction and prevent marine growth.

Contender believes that Holmenkol shows so much promise that it is replacing its Dynalite 75 silicone coated spinnaker fabric with a new line of Holmenkol treated Dynalite 75.  Expect this new Dynalite 75 to be out soon.

Contender has promised to send us a Holmenkol sample for our own research.  We'll let you know what we find out.

RollGen

Today we got our first look at the RollGen, a roller furler for asymmetrical spinnakers and gennakers.
The unit consists of a single line drive unit at the bow/sprit connected by a padded, high torsion rope to a swivel at the masthead.  The head of the sail hooks to the swivel and the tack hooks to a pendant that freewheels on the line drive.  Spinning the line drive rolls the rope which turns the swivel which rolls up the spinnaker starting at the head.  Here are some shots of the unit in action on a J/100:

Used Sails

A customer has recent North Marathon 3DL main and 120% genoa for a J/110 available for immediate sale at very reasonable prices.  Customer has new MSP Pentex sails for local daysailing and racing.  The new sails are lighter and help him qualify for a PHRF handicap credit.  Contact us if you're interested...