North’s patented 3D sailmaking technology thermo-molds sails as a unitary membrane on a full-sized
3-dimensional molds. Compared to all other sails assembled from panels of flat sailcloth or laminate, 3D sails...1) stretch less for their weight, 2) hold their shape over a wider wind range and 3) retain their designed
shape longer. Since its introduction in 1992, North 3D technology has dominated sailboat racing worldwide.
North offers two types of 3D sails... 3DL® (jib above) is a laminate of mylar film and structural yarn precisely
applied along predicted load paths. 3Di™ (mainsail above), features a composite (vs. laminate) structure of
interleaved spread filament tapes, and uses no film. 3DL technology has been the worldwide performance
leader for close to 20 years. North’s revolutionary new 3Di technology delivers unprecedented shapeholding
power, allowing upwind sails to approach the performance of a rigid foil.
Both 3DL and 3Di are patented manufacturing processes. Though other sailmakers have tried to copy the appearance of North 3D sails, none can match their speed, shapeholding and extended sail life.
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More on 3D Sailmaking
3D vs 2D ►
How is 3DL made ►
3DL manufacturing facts ►
Under the 3DL microscope ►
History of 3DL ►
3DL videos ►
3Di explained ►
3Di Q&A ►
3Di articles/videos ►
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