© North Sails

NORTH SAILS TECHNOLOGY

The growth and success of North Sails has been built on a foundation of technical innovation. Since its beginnings in a San Diego garage in 1957, North has pioneered more technological advances than all other sailmakers combined; advances that have — time after time — defined the path forward in modern sailmaking. 

North Sails technology has also made sailing more enjoyable and more affordable for today’s sailors. Our goal today, as it  was in 1957, is  to produce sails that are lighter, longer lasting and easier to use. We’ve made history by always looking ahead.

 

North 

• Scientifically test stretch and fatigue in sailcloth.
• Perform computerized structural analysis in sails.
• Analyze upwind sail shapes with computer air flow simulations.
• Implement 3-dimensional computer modeling.
• Develop and use an integrated suite of sail design software capable of modeling and analyzing sails, rig and hull as a complete, interactive system rather than as individual components.
• Shape sail panels on both the vertical and horizontal axis to produce a smoother, faster sail profile.
• Develop and use computer aided laser sail panel cutting, dramatically improving accuracy and consistency in sail production.
• Developed NorLam™, a polyester/Mylar laminated sailcloth.
• Pioneered the use of scanning electron microscope photography (SEM) for sailcloth development.
• Established the modern industry standard for UV testing (months of UV exposure for 50% tensile strength loss).
• Develop laminated Kevlar^®/Mylar sailcloth for racing sails.
• Develop polyester/Mylar laminate cruising sails.
• Use mildew-resistant additives in cruising laminates.
• Develop Gatorback™, a diagonally reinforced sailcloth.
• Develop carbon fiber sail laminates.
• Use warp oriented panel layouts to reduce leech stretch.
• Develop radial panel layout to better align fibers in woven sailcloth with loads in the sail, resulting in lighter sails with lower stretch.
• Develop radial cruising sails, combining lighter weight, lower stretch and excellent durability.
• Pioneer the use of ultra-durable, high-performance Spectra and Carbon/Spectra laminates for cruising yachts and SuperYachts.
• Pioneer development of vertical battens for furling mainsails and jibs.
• Develop 3DL^®, a revolutionary sailmaking technology that molds sails in their flying shape on full-sized 3-dimentional molds, producing the lowest stretch for the lowest weight of any sail ever made.
• Develop Marathon 3DL, the first molded sails specifically designed and engineered for cruising sailors.
• Develop a multi-phase adhesive for use in sail laminates; still the only adhesive in the world design specifically for use in sails.
• Test downwind sails using a “twisted flow” wind tunnel, which simulates differences in apparent wind speed and apparent wind angle between deck level and the upper part of the rig.
• Develop an accurate wind flow modeling software for analysis of downwind sails. Virtual Wind Tunnel accurately analyzes stress, strain and wind flow at 100% scale.