NORTH SAILS INNOVATION
3Di TECHNOLOGY
Designed for Fast. Engineered to Last
NOT ALL SAILS ARE CREATED EQUAL
North Sails is a technology company at the leading edge of innovation in its field. Manufacturing the world’s best sails that not only dominate the industry landscape in terms of high-performance, but also outstrip the competition in terms of reliability and longevity, North Sails has innovated for the demands of every type of sailor.
3Di empowers our sail designers to create a range of structures for every client. For our team, 3Di is much more than a product range. It is an extensive arsenal of materials, each with unique technical properties, coupled with an advanced manufacturing system providing the flexibility to customize sails to the specific requirements of any sailor and any type of sailing.
THE VALUE OF 3Di TECHNOLOGY
Lighter, stronger, and more dimensionally stable sails are faster. With perfectionist design and manufacturing built-in, 3Di sails win more races, and 3Di equipped boats clearly dominate the most competitive classes at events around the world.
3Di sails are faster for longer. Best performance no longer has to come at the expense of longevity. Cruising or racing, 3Di eliminates the need to choose between speed and durability. 3Di is the essence of value.
3Di is patent-protected and driven by multiple technologies available only from North Sails.
The popularization of 3Di means that technology developed to push the boundaries of performance in the America’s Cup can now be found on family cruisers around the world. Because of 3Di, North Sails offers a solution for both racers and cruisers (of all shapes and sizes) that is far superior to any other sailmaking technology.
WHAT IS NORTH 3Di?
HOW IT'S MADE IS THE DIFFERENCE
North 3Di is a sailmaking revolution because it produces sails that are both high-performance and reliable. With 3Di technology, the best performance no longer comes at the expense of longevity.
The technology is ground-breaking because of three components; the use of spread-filament tapes; a sail shape set on a full size 3D mold, and, the most significant point, the elimination of Mylar film.
HOW IT'S MADE IS THE DIFFERENCE
1. SPREAD FILAMENT TAPES
Spread filament is fiber's purest, thinnest, and most elemental form. Spread filaments are straight and flat with zero geometric stretch. Stringsails use bundles of twisted yarns that only begin to straighten at different rates and varying degrees when placed under load. 3Di has far more effective modulus (stretch resistance) at equal sail weight than any other type of sail.
Spread filament is fiber's purest, thinnest, and most elemental form. Spread filaments are straight and flat with zero geometric stretch. Stringsails use bundles of twisted yarns that only begin to straighten at different rates and varying degrees when placed under load. 3Di has far more effective modulus (stretch resistance) at equal sail weight than any other type of sail.
HOW IT'S MADE IS THE DIFFERENCE
2. 3D SAIL SHAPE
Each 3Di sail, whether it’s for a one design dinghy or AC75, a Superyacht or coastal cruiser, is assembled on a 3D mold set to the customized shape for each sail. Once cured, the sail’s shape and durability are permanently locked into a rigid airfoil. This signature 3Di manufacturing process eliminates 2D broadseam shaping and also eliminates the risk of delamination, both of which shorten a sail’s performance and life.
Each 3Di sail, whether it’s for a one design dinghy or AC75, a Superyacht or coastal cruiser, is assembled on a 3D mold set to the customized shape for each sail. Once cured, the sail’s shape and durability are permanently locked into a rigid airfoil. This signature 3Di manufacturing process eliminates 2D broadseam shaping and also eliminates the risk of delamination, both of which shorten a sail’s performance and life.
HOW IT'S MADE IS THE DIFFERENCE
3. NO FILM. NO DELAM
Our 3Di composite sails are: 70% structural material; 30% thermoset resin; and 0% Mylar film; which equals zero shrinkage and zero parasitic weight, and completely avoids weak, crack-prone layers. With 3Di, there is no filler and all the materials go towards supporting the structure. Pound for pound, 3Di produces a stronger, longer-lasting sail for the same weight. So, if someone tells you that they can make a sail lighter, and it’s not 3Di, that’s only possible by removing material from the structure of the sail.
Our 3Di composite sails are: 70% structural material; 30% thermoset resin; and 0% Mylar film; which equals zero shrinkage and zero parasitic weight, and completely avoids weak, crack-prone layers. With 3Di, there is no filler and all the materials go towards supporting the structure. Pound for pound, 3Di produces a stronger, longer-lasting sail for the same weight. So, if someone tells you that they can make a sail lighter, and it’s not 3Di, that’s only possible by removing material from the structure of the sail.
3Di RAW
Minimum weight. Maximum speed. 3Di RAW is the sail choice of champions. These high-performance race sails are the lightest weight, lowest stretch, and most highly engineered sails on the planet.
3Di ENDURANCE
Engineered for adventures. 3Di ENDURANCE is the most rugged high-performance sail technology. ENDURANCE sails have been tested around the world for longevity and reliability.
3Di OCEAN
Cruise Control. Built for ultimate durability and extended cruising performance. Ocean exploits 3Di technology to deliver cruising features and benefits that transcend performance racing.
3Di SY
3Di SY is customized to the unique needs of the world's largest sailing yachts. Sails made with SY are a solution for steady, stable, and reliable power for high-performance racing and cruising superyachts.
3Di DOWNWIND
3D molding provides a precisely shaped and smooth sail surface for optimized aerodynamics downwind. 3Di DOWNWIND eliminates the parasitic weight and inevitable distortion of mylar film – a significant advantage in lightweight downwind sails.
HELIX FOR 3Di
Helix Headsails utilize 3Di composite structures in a fascinating new way to radically improve camber control. Helix Code Sails reduce loads on any free-flying sail, creating improved aerodynamics while reducing wear and tear on your boat and mast.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
LIGHEST, STRONGEST, MOST RELIABLE
How is it possible for North to produce a sail that is both high-performance and reliable? It’s not just the materials that make 3Di high-performance and reliable; it’s also how its made.
How is it possible for North to produce a sail that is both high-performance and reliable? It’s not just the materials that make 3Di high-performance and reliable; it’s also how its made.