Q - What kind of name is NuClear Sails?

A - It's a play on words. The base material for our sails is made from mylar sheets, so our sails are see through. Our sails don't need windows, because you can see through the whole sail. "New Clear", get it?

Q - Why are your sails so inexpensive?

A - Mylar sheets are much less expensive than exotic aramid laminates. While mylar may not be as strong as other sail cloths, the strength in NuClear sails comes from our custom tapes not from the sailcloth. All of our sails are computer designed and cut, which saves time and labor. The mylar panels are assembled in a cross-cut layout allowing us to balance the sail shape between broad seam shape and luff curve. This also allows us to use our materials very efficient.

Q - I've never heard of NuClear Sails. Are you guys a fly-by-night operation or what?

A - No way! NuClear sails has been building fast, durable and affordable sails since 1989! We have customers racing with our sails all over the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, England and the Carribean.

Q - OK, if you guys are so hot why aren't other sailmakers making sails that look like yours?

A - Well they are, sort of. The laminated sails that other sailmakers offer are another means to the same ends, which is to reduce weight while increasing strength. We admit that we're cheap. Our first sails were literally built from mylar and packing tape purchased at Home Depot. While we have come a long way from then (purchasing Mylar directly from DuPont and building our own custom Spectra, Carbon and Kevlar tapes) we believe that the way that we use our tapes is a more efficient (and less expensive) way to build strong, fast sails. Other sailmakers use a heck of a lot of glue to sandwich fibers between layers of sailcloth. Glue is heavy and expensive. NuClear sails are light and less expensive.

Q - Do they last?

A - Absolutely. NuClear sails last as long as any Mylar sail. A three year old NuClear Mainsail and No. 1 Genoa won on a Bruce Kirby designed yacht 8 out of 8 races at Key West Race Week.

Q - How much lighter are they?

A - NuClear sails are up to 50% lighter than traditional paneled sails and even lighter than the most expensive molded sails: less pitching, less heeling, quicker tacking and easier handling.