attaching foot of main to boom

[stephenafloat]

I am hoping to order a new mainsail soon & am unsure on the relative merits of attaching the foot to the boom via slugs or a rope. my thoughts so far:

1.the rope is slightly faster&easier to thread - but this is not that relevant as i´ll not be changing the mainsail very often (ever until it dies hopefully a long way off)
2. when reefing previously i have felt that more stress was placed on the reef points if the foot was attached by a rope. (am prepared to concede this may be lack of expertise on my behalf)
3. umm thats it

is this that important/relevant, anyone got any thoughts or even wisdom to add on the subject. many thanks & seasons greetings etc.

 

[clyst]

IMHO Rope is far better as the foot is secured continually along its length and there fore sets better and less stress on the sail. Thats why most racing yacht have luff grooves rather than hanks on forsails .

cheers

Terry

 

[petery]

,,, and rope foot will let you retrofit a 'Stack pack/Lazy jack' system in a matter of minutes - if you ever want to do so.

 

[yoda]

Have it loose footed for the easiest option.

Yoda

 

[Johnjo]

Agree with the loose foot,much better control over the sail,
I bought a new main 2 years ago with a loose foot ,had my doubts at
first,but lots of good points,would have no hesitation about buying another.

 

[charles_reed]

The most advanced method is to have a loose-footed main, attached at two points only to the boom.
If you look at modern offshore racers closely you'll find they all employ this type of attachment.
This allows you to have far greater control over mainsail shape than with either a rope-foot or with slides.
My most recent main uses this in preference to a rope foot and it has major advantages compared to the more archaic methods.
The only drawback is that you need to use your outhaul more frequently and the outhaul needs to be sufficiently powerful to allow you to stretch the foot effectively.
Whilst you're about it I'd strongly advise going for a fully battened main and a lazyjack/boom-bag system of stowage.
It will cost about 20% more but will double the life of the sail and ensure far greater thrust and less heeling moment.

 

[Guest]

Loose v rope v slugs

For most cruising .... the rope foot with groove has been around for many years and served well. I still use it and am happy with it. It tolerates bad setting of the main far more than other styles. Accepts virtually all styles of reefing - roller boom, lazy-jacks, bag etc. etc.
Trend taking over more and more nowadys .... is the loose footed main, allows a greater degree of sail shape control, but can also if not used right be a disadvantage. Needs powerful outhaul system and also an upgraded reefing system from roller boom to reef properly.
System I have never seen on a boom and would consider wasted effort ..... slugs. I am sure that someone somehwre will cry out and give praise for this one ..... but what advantage would you gain ????

My advise : If its just cruising and tolerant sails you want ... rope foot in groove. If you want to play with your sail and improve some apsects ... then loose foot. I'd forget the slugs if I were you .... in fact I wish the guy before me had NEVER fitted them to my main on my boat for the Luff !! I hate 'em !!!

As to Foresails ..... I use various sytems on the boats I have .... boat 1) Furling Gear with single luff groove - fine OK, boat 2) twin forestay system allowing hanked sails to be changed while still hoisted ! - thats my race boat !!, boat 3) luff foil ... over the forestay - more trouble than its worth, but clean luff shape ! Oh Yes my race baot has groove and rope foot for the main - with outhaul block to really get things tight + tack haul at mast to really get that tight as well .....

Anyway - thats my penny-worth !

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !