When it comes to cutting-edge sail technology, Quantum Sails' Fusion M® series represents the pinnacle of performance, offering a blend of precision, durability, and adaptability that sets it apart from other laminate products on the market. Built using Quantum's innovative iQ Technology® design process, Fusion M sails are crafted with state-of-the-art membrane construction that delivers customized solutions tailored to the specific demands of your boat and sailing conditions. This approach allows for unparalleled fiber placement, resulting in a fully-integrated sail with optimal load distribution and a smoother, more efficient surface.
"iQ shows us how to lay out the yarns so that the sail holds its shape as best as possible," says Pablo Campano, Quantum's Technical Coordinator and membrane specialist. "We can predict very accurately how the boat will behave and how to trim the sail. We can model the sail in every condition — heel, wind direction, trim — to see how the sail reacts, and adjust the construction of the sail(s) to accommodate that."
Fusion M sails offer distinct advantages in certain scenarios, particularly for sailors seeking a meticulously engineered product for their unique requirements. Whether you're navigating the world's toughest races or striving to outpace your local competition, Fusion M sails provide an unmatched combination of speed, strength, and ease of use, making them the superior choice for many sailing programs.
What Is Fusion M?
Fusion M sails are the ultimate in composite sails, using laminated membrane construction for a continuous sail design without the limitations of pre-made materials and tri-radial panel layouts. The construction, combined with iQ technology designs, enables the precise placement of fibers or filaments in any direction to address specific loadings smoothly and continuously. "We can go as far as to design the sails for different trimmers," explains Campano. "No trimmer trims the mainsail the same…No one wins a race because they have a specific brand. You can lose a race because you have the wrong sails on board, but you win because you have good sailors. And we can customize our designs to those best sailors to give them the best tools."
Membrane sails are custom fiber layouts sandwiched between films or other materials and cured to hold the fibers in place. There are two main types of membrane sail construction technologies: laminate and filament. Both use the same types of yarns or fibers coated in and protected by surface materials and resins. Filament membrane sails use a type of straight, flat fibers that struggle to form 3D curves and must be molded to get their foil shapes. This means a greater instance of wrinkles and deformations – especially later in the sail's life – requiring compromises that add weight and affect performance. In contrast, laminated membranes, the basis of Quantum's Fusion M product, allow for full curves without these issues, ensuring all yarns are under optimal tension, resulting in smooth, efficient sail shapes. Membrane sails typically use high-modulus fibers like aramids, Vectran, Dyneema, or carbon, offering unmatched strength and shape durability, especially for larger yachts with demanding sailing plans. Laminate membrane sails are top-tier in performance, offering a smoother surface with fewer seams, which reduces water egress and can minimize mold and mildew issues.
"Whatever membrane sail you buy on the market today will have all the same fibers and materials, with a few variations," says Campano. "Most of these sails, whatever the brand, are made of the same things. However, at Quantum we tailor the composition of the material to different uses. It's like cooking - you can have the same ingredients, and can even make the same dish, but the better cook will have the best dish."
Campano describes the construction of a Quantum Fusion M sail as similar to building a house. "We divide the sail into different elements, similar to starting with the structure of a house, pillars, and beams — this is the load-bearing material, which is where we use fibers like Dyneema or aramids," he says. "Next, you need to insulate that structure. Here, we use a layer of mylar PT, which is a stronger, thinner, air-tight, highly waterproof material. Finally, we put on the bricks or siding on the outside — this is where we put the abrasion resistance. We use taffeta for cruising, a lighter skin for near-shore racing, and a more durable skin for offshore racing. We tailor the composition to different uses."
Why Quantum Fusion M?
Quantum operates one of the largest and most advanced membrane facilities, backed by a strong R&D team and led by Campano. With experience working for most other membrane manufacturers, his expertise ensures that we produce the best possible sails. All of our technology is developed and built in-house, never cutting corners when it comes to materials and processes.
"Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the performance of our teams, boats, and sails, which consistently win races," says Compano. "A prime example is the TP52 class, where our membranes consistently outperform those of our competitors. We focus on what really matters: delivering results on the water."
The true essence of a membrane sail lies in its fiber layout. High-modulus fibers form a structure that defines the sail's characteristics, and while different technologies may use the same fibers, they do so in distinct ways. Traditional filament membranes are laid straight and flat, but when you attempt to curve them in three dimensions, some fibers end up under tension while others do not. This leads to wrinkles and deformations in the membrane, a flaw that becomes evident in the sail's performance. "One leading manufacturer has spent 20 years educating the industry on how forces in a sail create curves, but the reality is that straight filaments cannot naturally form these curves without compromise, resulting in added weight and unwanted deformations," explains Campano.
Laminated membranes, however, eliminate these issues. "With Quantum's Fusion M laminate technology, we can lay full curves, cutting them precisely where needed, thanks to the fusion process," says Campano. "We rely on a few broadseams to shape the sail, ensuring that all the yarns are under optimal tension at all times."
"With everything integrated, it makes for the smoothest possible sails," he adds. "When you look up at a Quantum sail from the deck of a TP52, you can't even see the battens. Even the corners are integrated into the inside of the sail. There are no threads to catch, nothing to wrinkle."
Who Is Fusion M For?
"Everyone. If you want the best shape and performance, use a membrane," says Campano. "Membrane sails are for the sailor and program that prioritizes shape durability. "Dacron will last practically forever, but after six months of use, the shape is impacted. A membrane sail will hold its shape for 3-5 years."
Quantum leads in laminated membrane technology by using a proprietary program and process for unmatched sail design and layout optimization. We precisely cut yarns to match load paths and integrate patches, batten ends, and accessories directly into the membrane, reducing the need for sewing and extra gluing. "With all development done in-house, we're highly responsive to new ideas and industry changes," explains Campano. "Especially these days, good sailmakers and sail designers are few and far between. Quantum is fortunate to have some of the best in the world, and they leverage these technologies not only to be more efficient but also to create space for innovation. This means everything is customizable to the boat and type of sailing our customers are doing."
As always, in sailing there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the best sail or sail material for your boat. At Quantum, our experts take the time to understand the type of racing or cruising and conditions you generally sail in, any performance challenges you want to resolve, and budget to come up with the perfect sail solution, together with our customer. Reach out to your local Loft to find out more about Fusion M, or any of the other performance options we offer that may be a good fit for your program.