Adjustable outhaul and loose footed sail

[walt]

Ive been using a loose footed main this season (from FX, been real happy with it). I put on an 8:1 adjustable outhaul with the intention of being able to tighten the sail under load from the cockpit. However, the 8:1 outhaul didnt work as well as I was hoping and I think its from the big slug at the back end of the boom (you can see it in the attached picture) having too much friction and binding when its under load. Ie, if I release the outhaul, I have go to the boom and manually make the sail fuller. Under load, I can flatten the sail but I can tell there is a lot of binding going on. Im a little worried about dumping the slug because it carries a fair amount of the sail clew downhaul load.I could live with this if I had to but wonder if there is a better way..

 

[Chris & Lenore]

May I suggest...

That it's an "alignment issue".Install a block on the up of the boom (to the padeye I see in your picture).Attach (OK - seize) a line to the clew, run it through this new block and to your pulley arrangement.This will align the pull more closely with the desired movement plus eliminate the line having to also slide through the outhaul clew as it tightens.That's the setup on Teliki and it has worked fine in any wind with only a 4:1 arrangement.Chris

 

[oreana123]

Off it

I cut mine off as soon as I got my sail. If 8:1 won't pull it then there is a big bind. The grommet will take the load. The sail will be more shapely. Just reset your sail on the boom without it and see if the shape is OK, then cut it off. I later sewed it to the head of a F-27 mainsail.

 

[HC]

Advertising not allowed!

oreana123, I don't think it's appropriate for you to advertise you business on this forum. Frankly, I'm surprised you get away with it as much as you do. Terms of Use:No advertising for commercial products. However, if someone has a question about a service or product it is acceptable to post a link to suppliers. I think advertising your services fall into this category.

 

[oreana123]

My Bad

OK.

 

[Robspan]

HC, there are no absolutes.

You haven't been on this forum very long. If you look up Oreana, you'll see that he has participated in many threads and has given us all the benefit of his experience and expertise. He does this freely and in most cases without hope of compensation. If I lived near where he does, I'd be glad to know that he's available. I for one have absolutely no problem with his putting his link in his posts, if his posts remain as helpful as they have been.

 

[walt]

Thanks for the feedback on the outhaul

Thanks everyone for the feeback on the outhaul (including Oreana who did a great job on design and making a custom jib sail bag for me - woops, adverstising not allowed - please forget this last sentence)