Dacron

• Dacron is a trademark name for a polyester fiber-woven fabric. This material varies in thickness and strength, depending on its weave. It is used for sailboat sails because of its resistance to stretching.
  
  

Laminate

• According to Jeckells, a European sail-production company, laminate is a combination of fabric and film. Laminate sails are expensive and are used primarily for racing. Designed for speed, laminate sails are lightweight.
  
  

Polytarp

• This is the most common type of sail, according to the website Messing-About. This material is inexpensive and available at home supply stores. The strength of polytarp is average among sail material; if protected from sunlight, it will last several years.