OK--my 5 yr old 3Di North 155 head sail is almost dead--especially after a tear along the foot during a race on Halloween. I think I want to go with a non-laminate sail (their life locally seems to be around 5 years in my use of them) and since I mostly club-race and maybe CRW, I am not going with a 'Grand Prix' sail of any kind. I'd just like to get more years out of my headsail than the 5 yr average I have had over the last 15 years with laminate sails. In ~ 2010, I purchased a kite, mainsail and 155 genoa from Hood because several locals liked the longevity of their Vectran reinforced, high 'density' woven Dacron which Hood made themselves in Ireland. Both the kite and the mainsail are still in good shape but they were unable to get the shape of the 155 correct, even after I returned it for adjustments--it actually had a 'negative' shape (i.e. going to upwind it wanted to curl to weather over some of its luff?). I eventually had it re cut locally which made it more like a 140% so its not a 155 but at least it doesn't have a negative shape! Anyhow, I am looking for a longer life 155 for local club racing and 'cruising' to other local races, although most of this is with the engine. Since Hood no longer exists and I would be reluctant to go there after the experience I had with the 155, I am thinking of 3Di NorDac from North. If you believe their hype, it has the advantages of a molded sail, the longer life of a Dacron and per a quote I had 2 years ago actually a little less expensive than the non-molded Nordac. I know that Hood has been purchased by Quantum but I don't know if they maintained the high 'denier(?) Dacron reinforced with Vectran that Hood used. Thoughts from the list on this would be appreciated. In the meantime, I hope a local sail maker can 'patch' the foot of my 3Di so I can finish our winter series (5 race days thru January 2021). Unfortunately , the patch would require a sail tape about the width of 'butcher paper'! Thanks, Charlie NelsonWater Phantom1995 C&C 36 XL/kcb
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