Our Core Downwind Sailcloth Selection

Downwind sails require a different type of cloth to mainsails and headsail with the most common fabrics being made from nylon. There are also more technical fabrics such as Stormlite  and code zero laminate. We have a great selection of downwind sailcloths for spinnakers, code zeros and gennakers.

Radial Nylons

Contender Nylite  Contender’s all purpose spinnaker styles balance performance with durability for applications that require economical fabric. Nylite 90 is a coated style for improved porosity but compromise a little on weight with constructions that are tough and tear resistant. Nylite 150, 250 are rugged ripstop constructions stabilised with a resin impregnated finish. With high break strength and tear resistance, these are excellent fabrics for heavy air kites, larger cruising spinnakers or A-sails. Nylite 90 and Nylite 150 are offered in a full color range so boat owners can customize the look of their spinnakers. Nylite excellent resistance to tearing and good stretch resistance and they will give you many years of great sailing performance.

Contender Superkote

Contender Superkote is a unique range of polyurethane coated spinnaker fabrics that contain the right cloth for every type of spinnaker. The stability and the range of weights of Superkote is designed such that your we can combine different weights of compatible cloths to achieve the best strength/weight ratio for your spinnaker. The polyurethane coating ensures high stability, low weight, 0% porosity and high water repellency. Professional sailors have always chosen the superior quality of Contender spinnaker cloth for their down-wind sails. To produce cloths of this standard, Contender works closely with their fiber producers and weavers.

Bainbridge AirX Grand-Prix quality, race proven performance AirX is the racers choice. High tenacity 6.6 nylon yarns in a high density construction delivering light sails in higher wind ranges. Its double ripstop weave delivers exceptional burst and tear strength and reduces damage from rig contact and handling. AirX fabric bias specifically engineered by weight to match optimum sail design. The high water repellency of AirX provides best physical performance and minimum sailing weight, High density weave constructions deliver extremely low porosity which generates maximum power. 

Technical Sailcloths

Contender Stromlite If you are looking for a Code Zero or Reacher that is tough and can be trimmed easily, Stormlite is the most suitable cloth for you. The combination of polyester yarn with melamine impregnation make Stormlite into a cloth that retains its shape better than spinnaker fabric made of nylon. Stormlite retains its shape even under extreme conditions due to the high tensile strength of the polyester yarns. The fabric also has improved durability because of its good UV resistance compared to nylon. It is a great choice for code zero’s or catamaran screechers.

Contender Code Zero Laminate Contender Sailcloth has responded to the high demand for increasingly lighter but form stable sails with a series of laminate fabrics suitable for yachtsmen from the performance-oriented cruiser through to the professional racing teams. Our ZigZag Aramid fiber layout ensures efficient support and distribution of the loads over the radial panels in your sail. The effect of this fiber layout is to reduce the load on the mylar film, helping the sail to retain its shape longer. This material is ideal for producing close to broad reaching code zeros.