I'm confused by the part where he shows that the sail tapes are laid out to produce sections, or for lack of a better term, panels, for the 3Di sail. Everything I have read indicates that the tapes run continuously along the entire length of the sail, giving it more strength than more traditional panel built sails that have joints where the panels join. How are these 3Di tape panels joined?
The tape contains resin, think of it like grp, but flexible. They overlay the edges of the pannels, bag it, cook it. The edges glue together, just like when laying up chopped strand. I'm not sure why they do it in panels, but the tape printing is so they can put extra layers of tape at high stress points, and lay the fibres in the correct orientation paralel to the force.
Is the sail produced more or less durable and does it have a greater competetive life span? I understand the performance benefits; however, I'm not in the market for a carbon fiber McLaren sports car either. What sail is the most appropriate for the general sailing population and how has that technology evolved would be of more interest to me personally. PHRF racing, ORR racing and IOR racing with the exception of the sport's billionaires is populated by people of average or above average means. Though this is impressive, I'm more likely to race in one design fleets that limit or prohibit the "arms race" in order to enjoy the actual sailing.
Forgive my ignorance, but are you saying they couldn't or they wouldn't? North Sails makes sails from racing mega yachts to small club racers. I am sure its more about they being unwilling to spend the time and money to create a custom sail for a tiny gaff rig boat.
I'm confused by the part where he shows that the sail tapes are laid out to produce sections, or for lack of a better term, panels, for the 3Di sail. Everything I have read indicates that the tapes run continuously along the entire length of the sail, giving it more strength than more traditional panel built sails that have joints where the panels join. How are these 3Di tape panels joined?
The tape contains resin, think of it like grp, but flexible. They overlay the edges of the pannels, bag it, cook it. The edges glue together, just like when laying up chopped strand. I'm not sure why they do it in panels, but the tape printing is so they can put extra layers of tape at high stress points, and lay the fibres in the correct orientation paralel to the force.
Is the sail produced more or less durable and does it have a greater competetive life span? I understand the performance benefits; however, I'm not in the market for a carbon fiber McLaren sports car either. What sail is the most appropriate for the general sailing population and how has that technology evolved would be of more interest to me personally. PHRF racing, ORR racing and IOR racing with the exception of the sport's billionaires is populated by people of average or above average means. Though this is impressive, I'm more likely to race in one design fleets that limit or prohibit the "arms race" in order to enjoy the actual sailing.
Does the molding mean the sail easily takes optimal sail shape as it is intrinsically built with memory of the optimal form?
Yes, that's pretty much it
wow and they couldn't make a set of sails for a Cornish Shrimper.....useless !!!!
Forgive my ignorance, but are you saying they couldn't or they wouldn't? North Sails makes sails from racing mega yachts to small club racers. I am sure its more about they being unwilling to spend the time and money to create a custom sail for a tiny gaff rig boat.