Twenty years ago developed a revolutionary system whereby we laid tapes from corner to corner over a base membrane and we called it TAPE-DRIVE. These sails have gone through constant development for more than two decades and are known worldwide to thousands of satisfied customers. TITANIUM is a development of that technology

The difference between TAPE-DRIVE and TITANIUM is that TAPE-DRIVE sails have the load-bearing fibers stuck to the outside of the membrane, while they are laminated between two films in TITANIUM.

Laminating the load bearing yarns inside the sail allows greater coverage thoughout the sail. Instead of having tapes every few inches, the yarns in a string sail are very close together. This gives the sail a smoother shape. String sails are lighter because the amount of glue needed in the finished sails is radically reduced.

TITANIUM sails can be as light as the sailor wants them to be. We can make them lighter by putting in less load bearing yarns. These sails are light and fast, but they generally won’t last. Most of the time durability is also a requirement so we load up the sail with sufficient yarns to ensure a very good durability. In a direct comparison we usually come out about the same weight or lighter than comparable products. That said if you want a really light sail we can do that.

TITANIUM sails use aramid and carbon fiber yarns – either separately or in combination. If the sail is to be used solely for top-end racing we will build an all carbon sail. If it is to be club racing we use mostly aramid yarns.

These sails are not just for racing. TITANIUM is perfectly suited to performance cruising boats over 50 feet as it produces sails that are relatively light (easy to handle and store), very strong and durable. We also build them with a taffeta option.

Taffeta is a finely woven, light-weight polyester fabric that we laminate to the outside of one or both sides of the membrane. This protects the sail from abrasion and UV light. It does make the whole sail heavier, but for long distance performance cruising, it adds many miles to your sail’s life.

UV attacks everything on a boat, from the halyards to the seat cushions to the sails. It is why having taffeta on cruising sails is so important. Racing sails, used for short bursts on the race course, don’t get nearly as much exposure to the sun’s ultra violet ray. Cruising sails, especially main sails, can be up all day long.

TITANIUM sails even utilize special yarn layouts for roller-furling genoas; therefore; cruising sailors can enjoy the benfits of lighter weight, performance sails.

Just as TITANIUM can be used across the racing and cruising spectrum, it can be used across the size spectrum. Sails have been made for maxi cruisers through Mumm 30s.

TITANIUM sails are only made at our french loft in Cannes. They spent four years developing a refining this technology. The membrane is shipped to other UK-Halsey lofts where the ‘finishing’ is done locally. This involves applying corner patching and rings, draft stripes, sail numbers, batten pockets, head boards and so on. Your local loft designs the sails so that the finished product will meet your boat’s requirement.

TITANIUM vs 3DL and other String Sails
There is not a lot of difference between Titanium and North Sails’ 3DL except we believe we have some distinct advantages. Our first priority when developing Titanium was to end up with a lamination second to none, and we believe we have achieved that. Other than that, Titanium sails are very similar to 3DL sails in appearance. Barring 3DL, Titanium is the only sailmaking system that offers continuous yarns from corner-to-corner. This is very important from an engineering point of view.