The answer is
because the fibers in a FiberPath laminate are aligned with the primary
loads in the sail, and a FiberPath sail can be built with multiple fiber
patterns to address secondary loads. In addition, a FiberPath sail is
lighter in weight than a tri-radial sail. Fiberpath is targeted for grand prix
applications.
FiberPath technology has truly leveled the playing field—now that we
can build true load-path sails with proven fast shapes using our choice of
fibers and films, any advantage that North Sails has enjoyed with 3DL is
disappearing.
FiberPath Lamination Process
We believe the FiberPath lamination process is superior to 3DL, for
several reasons. FiberPath panels are formed under extremely high pressure
between the hot-oil-filled calendar rolls of a laminator, just as any
laminate that is manufactured for use in paneled sails. While 3DLand D4
laminates are formed using vacuum pressure (1 atmosphere), FiberPath
laminates are formed with the equivalent of 10 atmospheres—ten times the
pressure. Because 3DL is merely “vacuum bagged,” these laminates
must rely on a relatively high amount of glue to hold everything
together—and in terms of stretch, glue is dead weight. FiberPath needs a
minimum amount of glue to achieve a reliably tough bond between mylar,
fiber, and scrim, and the lamination process produces a consistent bond
throughout the panel, time after time.
FiberPath Advantages
The range of a FiberPath sail is wider than a tri-radial sail, and it is
easier to use and needs less sheet adjustment. Because the secondary loads
are covered, a FiberPath sail keeps its designed shape throughout the wind
range. A FiberPath sail is lighter than a tri-radial sail built for the
same application.
As for longevity, a FiberPath sail will hold its performance shape
as long as a tri-radial sail, but we don’t necessarily expect FiberPath to have the same ultimate life as a tri-radial sail. (Paneled
sails are so overbuilt that they physically hang in there for 3 to 6 years
of hard use, even after their shape is gone.) In all laminate racing sails
it is the shrinkage of both the mylar film and the physical changes of the
adhesive that , over
time, will compromise sail shape. FiberPath sails will stay fast as long
because the secondary loads are handled, even though the shrinkage issue is
still the same as that of a paneled or any laminate sail. From a cosmetic
standpoint, FiberPath sails have a very high-tech, load-path appearance,
along with the increased smoothness that comes from a vastly reduced number
of panels and sections.
