Loose - foot mainsail

[NDG]

I'm thinking about getting a new main, as the old one is a bit, well, old and looks like it has begun to loose shape a bit. Although I don't race the boat, and am no expert, I am keen on sail trim and getting the most out of the boat whenever we are out. I am wondering whether or not to get a loose footed main.

Is anyone able to advise me if this is a good idea for cruising? Does it involve imparting larger loads on the boom and the clew when the kicker is tightened up or when reefed? Presumably the bending action on the boom is greater under these circumstances. Are the advantages in sail shape control significant and worth it? How does the sail behave when reefed - can you still get a flatter shape without imparting excessive loads on the clew, foot and boom?

Lots of questions I am afraid. However, as I say I'm not an expert and I would welcome any advice from anyone.

 

[dave_gibsea]

I was thinking of the same. As well as my cruiser I sail National 12's and Merlin-Rockets both have loose foot mains these days. There is no more strain on the boom than with a conventional set-up. The advantage is you can let off the clew a lot on a reach and get a very full and powerful main. The problem is you need a very good outhaul control, at least 8:1 and you need about 18inches or more of high quality track which will not jam under the big loads that it will see. It's the cost of the track and the fitting of it that has put me off with the cruiser. If racing it's probably worth it but the performance gain is going to be small.

 

[yoda]

Several answers to this. You will be imparting a larger point load at the clew outhaul so you do need to be sure your boom can take it. That said with slab reefing you put all the load on one point anyway so it probably won't be a problem. You can get great sail shape from a loose foot main because you don't have the shelf to constrain the rest of the sail. I went over to a loose foot this season and I love it. Down side is lazy jacks won't work well with it.

Yoda

 

[Guest]

You don't need the posh tracks that the other chaps are talking about. Your sailmaker can make up a strop to hold the clew cringle close to the top of the boom. Just have to disconnect the mainsheet and topping lift to get it on.

On my Contessa 33 I've got this arrangement for the racing main and works like a dream. Admittedly, the new cruising main will have a bolt rope. I want to be able to catch rainwater.

 

[peterk]

hi,
I used a very low tech version of the loosefooted main to boom
thingy, no track at all - just cunningly tied line
it worked (solo all the way around the pumpkin) -

go for it!

peter, www.juprowa.com/kittel

 

[andy_wilson]

Lens - foot mainsail

Have a soft panel let into the foot. You can let it well off for fullness or haul out to flatten the sail. When loose you have an effective 'endplate' to aid airflow.

I'm not sure that there will be any more load on the boom than when you harden the clew in your last reef!

 

[NDG]

Thanks Peter - I was looking at your website, which looks great. An inspiration to all cruising sailors.

Nick

 

[NDG]

thanks for all the replies so far. Sounds like it will be worth going for.

Nick

 

[Aja]

Changed to one last season - from Sobstad. Agree with all points in previous replies. Sobstad fit a slug at the clew which fits into the track in the boom.

You get a great sail shape - very 'tweaky'.

Another benefit is the price, as the sailmaker doesn't have to build a shelf foot in the sail the cost is reduced.

Donald

 

[charles_reed]

Vast improvement over a standard rope foot - though you do need a really effective boom outhaul to change shape.
While you're about it (unless you race and don't want the additional handicap) go for a fully battened main - infinitely more drive, far less heeling moment, easy lift/drop at any point of sailing, double the life of the main.
If you look. all the Open 60s have loose foot mains