SAIL DESIGN
SET THE PACE
The North Sails design team is the most talented and sought-after expertise in the industry. With a team of 60-strong, our sail designers are innovators, opinion leads and their collective experience is our competitive advantage.
The North Sails design team is the most talented and sought-after expertise in the industry. With a team of 60-strong, our sail designers are innovators, opinion leads and their collective experience is our competitive advantage
SAIL DESIGN
BETTER BY DESIGN
Advanced mathematical modeling and data captured from decades of experience. Progressing with a purpose, our design team constantly pushes for potential at the far edge of fast, driven by analysis and innovation.
Advanced mathematical modeling and data captured from decades of experience. Progressing with a purpose, our design team constantly pushes for potential at the far edge of fast, driven by analysis and innovation.
VIRTUAL DESIGN, REAL-WORLD SAILS
NORTH DESIGN SUITE
Software Designed by the Hardwired Will to Win
You can imagine the future or you can be a part of it. Lowell North decided to be a part of it– and lead it. When he started North Sails, Lowell North’s philosophy was simple…get the best people and commit yourself to making the best product. Be clear, creative, methodical, and competitive in spirit. And then surpass your wildest imagination.
DESMAN
Desman creates a 3D model of the boat and rig. It’s the starting point of all North design projects. Specifying sail and mast dimensions, rig geometry, attachment points, and trim locations on each boat.
SPIRAL
Spiral allows three-dimensional sails to be placed on the Desman model before wind pressure or load are applied. Every dimension of the sail can be precisely adjusted.
WARPS
Warps defines the material composition of the sail. For 3Di sails, tape layouts and densities are determined and applied in the same three-dimensional space they will assume when sailing.
FLOW
Flow introduces wind pressure to the sails, created by Spiral and WARPS. Pressure varies across the sail’s surface based on the specific design and the strength and direction of airflow.
MEMBRAIN
Membrain balances wind pressure, sail shape, and rig forces using data provided to deform the aero package as a unified structure. New data is sent back to Flow for optimization by North designers.
NORTH VPP
North VPP is a powerful tool that allows aero and hydro data to be effectively integrated, giving sail and yacht designers the ability to analyze an entire sailboat as a unified working system.
UNLOCK THE DNA OF SPEED
HELIX. IS LEADING EDGE SAIL DESIGN
Helix Structured Luff is a breakthrough sail design philosophy, focused on innovating the structural elements in a sail’s leading edge.
Helix Structured Luff is a breakthrough sail design philosophy, focused on innovating the structural elements in a sail’s leading edge.