3DL Testimonials

“We had more time with 3DL^® than anyone else, and I believe 3DL really helped our speed. Straight out of the bag the sails were fast, and they had an incredibly wide wind range. 3DL is a blessing for sailors all over the world because now they’ll be able to carry fewer sails in their inventory.”
Russell Coutts

“3DL is the greatest breakthrough in sailmaking since Kevlar took the place of Dacron — for two main reasons. First is the obvious weight savings due to its more efficient used of materials. Second is value. Our sails held their shape better and lasted considerably longer than any sails I’ve ever used.”
Dennis Conner, Team Dennis Conner

“The 3DL sails were easier to trim than their Kevlar counterparts.”
“The lighter 3DL sails reduced both heeling moment and pitching moment.”
“The 3DL genoa clearly had a greater effective wind range than a comparable conventional grand prix Kevlar genoa.”
Practical Sailor

“Perhaps the most obvious (benefit) is strength-to-weight. Certainly the sail is lighter for the same strength by around 30 percent, or stronger for the same weight. But is a more subtle blend of a number of aspects like local stretch priorities, a more homogeneous overall sail shape and the ability to design actual flying shapes rather than shapes that will stretch into flying shapes that is really the key.”
Yachting World

“I have two 3DL light and heavy #1 sails; they came out of the bag with a good, fast shape. They were used in 36 closed course races over two seasons, and the sails still have the same shape. No alterations have been made to either sail. I feel that the higher initial cost of 3DL is easily offset by their performance and longevity. Any new racing sails I purchase will be 3DL.”
Lewis Beery, owner, Andrews 43

“3DL is lighter... there is less weight aloft. Upwind, it feels like there is another person on the rail. Our 3DL main has logged over 100 racing hours and the draft and the leech are right where they were when we bought the sail. We know because we take videos of the sails at the beginning and end of the season. We’ve had no recuts or touch-ups. 3DL is more than worth the price.”
Mort Weintraub, owner, Express 37 Troubador

“Our North Sails have been incredibly fast and very easy to adjust to the conditions on the course. During the St. Francis Spring One-Design Regatta, we were able to tune our Norths from 30 knots to 5 knots and back again, all the while keeping our speed up.”
Roland Van Der Meer, owner, J/105 Bandwidth

“After racing for many years, North 3DL is the only sail I will use, mostly due to their longevity and design. I currently have the oldest sails in the J/120 fleet and I have not noticed any change in boat speed. That combination makes them the best value for an active racer.”
Steve Madeira, J/120 Mr. Magoo

“Eclipse’s all-North inventory has been a major factor in our success with the boat over the years. The North sales and support team is tremendous!”
Mark Dowdy, Express 37 Eclipse

“In close one-design racing, the quality of your tacks can be the difference between first place and fourth place. 3DL genoas are lighter to pull from on side of the boat to the other so tacks are faster, and it is easier to keep the foot of the sail inside the lifelines which means the jib rarely needs to be 'skirted.' That’s a major plus!”
Tucker Thompson, jib trimmer