I have a 22', 1971 MacGregor/Venture that has the boom so low that I constantly bang my head on it and/or have to duck to tack. I am thinking of removein 6" of the foot to raise the boom by that amount. What do you think of (or have experience with) a "loose footed" main? Any and all comments requested. Duane "Novelman"
cutting mainsail 6" shorter and making "loose footed"
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Novelman.....
I did this to my previous H31 and it worked exactly as I hoped. Took about 14" off the clew and tapered it toward the tack to form a "pie" shape piece. The loose foot is really nice, and makes adjusting the outhaul much easier. It cost about $175 at the local sailmaker (Schurr Sails, Pensacola, FL). I lost a little sail area, and if it was enough to slow the boat some I didn't notice. I wish more manufacturers set them up like my old Oday 25 which featured a gooseneck on a track so as to move the boom up and down. Good luck.....Gary
I did this to my previous H31 and it worked exactly as I hoped. Took about 14" off the clew and tapered it toward the tack to form a "pie" shape piece. The loose foot is really nice, and makes adjusting the outhaul much easier. It cost about $175 at the local sailmaker (Schurr Sails, Pensacola, FL). I lost a little sail area, and if it was enough to slow the boat some I didn't notice. I wish more manufacturers set them up like my old Oday 25 which featured a gooseneck on a track so as to move the boom up and down. Good luck.....Gary
loose footed main
Gary, I sail in 5-15 knot winds here. Is there any problems using a loose footed main in this wind and occasional 20+ knot winds? Novelman
Gary, I sail in 5-15 knot winds here. Is there any problems using a loose footed main in this wind and occasional 20+ knot winds? Novelman
No Problem....
That's about the average wind we have. The sailmaker highly recommended the loose foot main. I remember doing some searching the issue on the net and most everything I read was positive. You'll like it I guarantee......Gary
That's about the average wind we have. The sailmaker highly recommended the loose foot main. I remember doing some searching the issue on the net and most everything I read was positive. You'll like it I guarantee......Gary
Loose footed main
I have in-mast furling and like all in-mast systems, have a loose footed main. I love it and routinely sail in 20+ kt winds (with some of the main furled). You should have no problem with what you want to do.
I have in-mast furling and like all in-mast systems, have a loose footed main. I love it and routinely sail in 20+ kt winds (with some of the main furled). You should have no problem with what you want to do.
Flatening reef
If your existing main sail has years left in it, you could consider having a sailmaker add a flatening reef about 10-12" up the leech. When you tie that in, just dead end the flatening reef line in a loop around the boom, run up to the new cringle and then thread it down thru the end of the boom if you have an open reefing block at the end of the boom. If not add a cheek block and cleat on the side of the boom. With the flatening reef tied in, only the aft end of the boom will be raised and you will be set up for a little higher wind speed. Alternatively, I needed a new main on our 28.5, so I had the sailmaker cut the clew about 8" higher on our new loose footed main to lift the end of the boom high enough to clear a new Bimini. Works Great!
If your existing main sail has years left in it, you could consider having a sailmaker add a flatening reef about 10-12" up the leech. When you tie that in, just dead end the flatening reef line in a loop around the boom, run up to the new cringle and then thread it down thru the end of the boom if you have an open reefing block at the end of the boom. If not add a cheek block and cleat on the side of the boom. With the flatening reef tied in, only the aft end of the boom will be raised and you will be set up for a little higher wind speed. Alternatively, I needed a new main on our 28.5, so I had the sailmaker cut the clew about 8" higher on our new loose footed main to lift the end of the boom high enough to clear a new Bimini. Works Great!
loose footed main
Would you please sketch the changes made to your main as well as further explain how to do mine like yours. Photos would be helpful also. You can e-mail me at novelman@roadrunner.com. I have a good sailmaker to take the sail to so you could possibly phrase the changes in his terms. Thanks, Novelman
Would you please sketch the changes made to your main as well as further explain how to do mine like yours. Photos would be helpful also. You can e-mail me at novelman@roadrunner.com. I have a good sailmaker to take the sail to so you could possibly phrase the changes in his terms. Thanks, Novelman
Remove 6" from the head
If you have a 10' boom and remove 6" from the foot of the sail you lose 5 sq ft of sail area. I would think that this is a pretty significant percentage of the total sail area on a 22' boat. Have a sailmaker remove 6" and recontour the head of the sail. This accomplishes your goal of raising the boom in the track with a minimum of sail area removed.
If you have a 10' boom and remove 6" from the foot of the sail you lose 5 sq ft of sail area. I would think that this is a pretty significant percentage of the total sail area on a 22' boat. Have a sailmaker remove 6" and recontour the head of the sail. This accomplishes your goal of raising the boom in the track with a minimum of sail area removed.
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