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Loose-footed mainsail?

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/05/2002 : 16:06:32

Does anyone have their main set up loose-footed?

I've been thinking that it will help make my outhaul more useful and efficient in shaping the sail. But I'm a little concerned that it might not be a good idea for a sail with a bolt rope foot that is not designed to be loose footed. I've heard true loose-footed mainsails are specifically designed differently than those with the bolt rope.

Any thoughts?

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2002 : 16:14:28

When I bought mine the prior owner sailed it loose footed, and I have as well. I have a flattening reef system that employs the outhaul on the flattening reef grommet at the leech and a 6:1 purchase at the grommet above the tack. Both lines are led aft. Maybe I flatten just as well with the boltrope in the boom, but somehow I don't think so.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2002 : 18:07:09

Richard,

I've sailed my then new full battened main the past four years and love it. I originally contacted the sail loft to have a shelf cut in and was told it could be done but it would cost $75 and take some time to be done, what with shipping it to Ca from NY and back.I was about to do it but the season was upon me and the thought of hanging the sail up for X# of days/weeks/months, when the idea occured to me to try slipping the bolt rope. I was most concerned with the lack of outhaul control on the mains draft an thought, what the heck! My sail is an Ullman and rather well made, the outer sail slide is of considerable structure and has proven capable of handeling the load applied. This is the only concern one should be considering when going loose footed with a sail not designed to be used that way. Some sails have a plastic sail slide at the end fitting. I wouldn't go that way with plastic. The Ulmamm sail has a SS slide and is triple stitched into several layers of sailcloth. Works well for me. You might give it a try. You can always refit the bolt rope if you aren't satisfied with the result.

Makes stowing the sail at seasons end a breeze,

Val on "CALISTA" # 3936

Val Bisagni

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2002 : 19:59:49

My mainsail has a racing shelf foot with a flattening reef. The foot is attached with a bolt rope, but it has a very deep pocket sewn into it, all along the boom. The deep pocket is used in light air. The flattening reef can be used to take out the deep pocket when the wind pipes up. I never had an opportunity to compare it directly with a loose-footed mainsail, but I suspect it is faster overall. A fellow at my lake has a loose-footed mainsail. He claims that his mainsail and jibs are custom-made and the fastest sails known to man. Before the summer is over, I'm gonna catch him out on the lake, and we're gonna race to the bridge and back. I'll let you know which is faster. <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2002 : 21:59:12

Val,

I don't have a slug at all on the clew of my main, but I have have considered going loose-footed by putting a loop of line through the clew cringle to handle the the upward/outward load. I have an outhaul rigged with a five to one purchase terminated at a small cleat at the aft of the mast. How do you think that might work?

I have to add, the only reason I haven't tried it yet is that the need to use the bimini here in FL requires me to put a reef in the main of my tall rig all summer. Maybe this fall!?

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2002 : 07:34:36

Hi Eric,

Sounds like it might work...like the professor said,"gotta test it". Give it a try, who knows. The advantage of having the slide at the clew is that it keeps the sail down on the boom. Without it the sail may lift off the boom. I have a small sailboat with the sail rigged as you intend to do and while it's no racer it works fine.

Val on "CALISTA" #3936

Val Bisagni

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Dennis Pierce
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2002 : 07:41:52

I had a West Wight Potter with a loose footed main. Since the boom was not slotted, I used a SS ring on the boom to attach the clew and outhaul. Very effecient.

Dennis Pierce
Gypsy Witch #1719

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2002 : 09:55:52

Hi Richard,

Like Val, I've been sailing with an Ulman mainsail (mine has standard battens) loose footed for two or three years. This arrangement sure makes changing shape easier.

If you'd like to see how the flattening reef point is set up on Snickerdoodle, here is the photos in the Tech Tips section:
http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/sdflatreef.html

These photos were taken a year or so before I decided to go loose footed. Try it, you might like it.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2002 : 14:23:25

Bill:

I'm not sure what you mean by "flattening reef". Is this system different than the "regular reef" system? In your picture, I see two lines with stopper knots through eye straps on the port side of your boom -- what are they for?

What got me thinking about loose-footing the main was I started playing around with some miscellaneous blocks and shackles I found at the bottom of my "junk drawer". I found I had enough parts to set up a 4:1 outhaul system. But I noticed, even with this advantage, in practice very little adjustment was effected.

My main was made by Roly Tasker (sp?) and is full-battened. The loop part of the sail slide at the end fitting is stainless steel, but the slide part is plastic.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - RichardG on 09/06/2002 14:47:00

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.