Has anyone experimented with using two types of cloth on the same sail. I’m thinking about a heavier cloth on the leading edge of the sail from the LE to the point of max chord, and then a lighter fabric from there to the trailing edge?
does it make any sense? should it be the other way around… or does it really matter?
We did on big boats, and have seen a few on our small ones - BUT - not heard if it makes a difference - or just a visual statement. Will require extra work to have seams running horizontal AND vertical.
Here are a couple of examples
First, check your class rules to confirm if allowed (eg not allowed in IOM but allowed in US1M). I have seen it done by running the heavier cloth up the high stress areas ie, the back half to the leech, and lighter cloth up the front half.
John
We used to get them all the time. Below is my M swing rig with sails cut by John Amen.
I agree that it would be a lot of extra work. and one small screw-up could kill a lot of work…
gregg, looks like 505 on the leading edge and trispi on the trailing…
any opinions. faster slower, or just a different look…
Not faster or slower, just able to take a little more wind and last longer because the leech does not stretch out as easily.
If you want a cool “look”, build a tri-radial jib 
I’ll just use a sharpie… it is amazing what North sails is doing
http://uk.northsails.com/tabid/24411/Default.aspx
especially with the 3 Di sails…
I did make a jib for delta rigged footy that had the bottom panel was two panels of orconD on a diagonal. but it was only beacue I was low on material and it was the only way to make the panel big enough… looked pretty trick I will say…
The loads on a mainsail are far, far higher along the trailing edge than anywhere else. If you want to add the complication at least put it where it makes sense.
