I have a 3Di 155% genoa which has survived three years of racing. The previous 3Dr ( yes "r" ) lasted 6 weeks, and the replacement 3DL accumulated $1,200 in repairs by the end of the second summer. The 3Di has had some minor winter sail care, edges done due to lifeline or stanchion chafe. I suspect it will be fine for another two years.
The 3Di is a premium priced sail but I think for me it will be cheaper in the long run. Michael Brown Windburn C&C 30-1 From: Kevin Driscoll <kevindrisc...@gmail.com> If I were buying a sail right now I would be reading everything on Brian Hancock's blog about lofts, cuts, and fiber. You can find it here. <http://www.greatcirclesails.com/maximum-sail-power-blog.html> This guy is a professional and up on the latest developments in fiber technology, which is valuable since it is changing every season. He also has a book *Maximum Sail Power* which may be a little dated in the fiber department, but the fundamentals are still there. FWIW, I race on a boat with North 3Di (which is / has replaced 3DL) and the sails are bomb proof and fast. They will outlast any Dacron sail IMO. They take a beating and keep on ticking. The taffeta laminate sails don't like to be neglected or too much UV, which is why their longevity suffers in the hands of some cruisers. KD 30-2
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