The biggest difference: the new sails from the so-called 3Di Nordac are not woven, but laminated. They are made from yarns that have been unravelled into super-thin filaments, which lie parallel and are pre-assembled on tapes. These tapes are glued together in different directions to form segments and pre-impregnated with adhesive like a prepreg in boat building. The segments are then glued together and formed on a three-dimensional computer-controlled mould under vacuum pressure and heat, similar to the well-known 3DL process.
With 3Di, however, no film or foil is used. Just four layers of the material produce a durable, windproof and homogeneous cloth. 3Di has long since proven itself on the high seas, even on record-breaking trips around the globe, so North is certain that the new cruising sails in particular will have a long service life. This should be superior to the durability of conventional Dacron sails, as these lose their shape long before they are mechanically defective due to their woven construction. 3Di Nordac from North Sails costs about 16 per cent more than a good triradial cut polyester sail.
YACHT has already been able to try out several of the new 3Di cruising sails (detailed article in the next issue, issue 9.) The new YACHT is now available at newsagents, in the DK-Shop or directly here digital order.
A short film worth watching shows how the 3Di process works (regardless of the base material used):
