I was thinking, why would any class ban a sailmaker, then it came to me. If indeed the 3DL sails are "up to 20% lighter" and they have a patent on the process, that pretty much means no other sailmaker can build a similar light sail, so in effect, the whole class would have to buy from North if they want the lightest sails.

Is that why they did it?

Also, I thought I read a few years back, that someone was suing North over patenet issues involving the 3DL process, and North lost, and had to buy them out of the patent, is that the case? I thought was Sobstad or Ulman, or someone else, who actually invented it and North stole it. Perhaps the patent should expire so all the sailmakers can use that method.

Also...(bored today) why has nobody come up with a spray on fluid which would dry to shape, to replace the mylar film? Seems you could just spray the mylar type stuff in place and forget about seams alltogether. Calling Dupont and 3M... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />