Hunter 29.5 - Loose footed?

[ciso]

Hey everyone. Bought a 29.5 last year, and at the end of the season I swear I pulled the foot of the sail out of the track in the boom...but this year, trying to put it in, it was like the rope was too small. It wouldn't hold the sail in the track if I just pulled on it with reasonable force.

So I'm wondering... does the 29.5 have a loose footed main sail or does anyone sail with the main loose footed?

 

[David in Sandusky]

A loose-footed sail would be a good mainsail for your boat. But the bolt rope on the foot of your current sail makes it clear that it is not designed to be loose footed. The loose footed sail on our Hunter 27 has no bolt rope on the foot. And the foot of the sail curves down to overlap with the boom, so wind does not flow off the sail between the sail and the boom.

If you took your sail to a local sailmaker, I’m sure they would be glad to confirm my conclusion, help you assess if your escaping bolt rope is a problem, and advise you if you need a new sail. Even better, if you are not too far away from the loft, the sailmaker might be willing to make those assessments on your boat. Give them a call, and find out what they are willing to do. My relationship with my sailmaker is first as my advisor about my sails, then to maintain, or replace them as needed.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Is there a slug near the clew to help hold that corner down to the boom? Usually a loose footed sail will have a slug like that. If you don’t you probably still need to rely on the bolt rope.

 

[jssailem]

it was like the rope was too small.

Stuff happens. The rope may have been swollen from moisture last year. Over the winter the rope dried and shrank. Now it does not seem to fit.

This may be an indication of age. I would chat with a local sail loft about the sail and the condition of the foot.

Options include:

1. Having the sail loft replace the rope
2. Leave the rope loose and go sailing. It may get wet, swell, and then again fit. Or you might discover sailing loose footed works for the sailing that you do.
3. The sail loft can recut your sail foot so that you can sail without the rope
4. You find it is time to get a new sail and you can choose loose foot or bolt rope foot.

Best wishes for a new sailing season.

 

[Michael Davis]

So I'm wondering... does the 29.5 have a loose footed main sail or does anyone sail with the main loose footed?

It used to be that only racers used loose footed mains but now most sailmakers will make it loose footed unless you specifically ask for a bolt rope. Most of us cruising sailors would never bother to adjust to tension on the foot even if we knew how or when.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Most of us cruising sailors would never bother to adjust to tension on the foot even if we knew how or when.

When I’m out for a casual day sail I might not adjust the outhaul as much as when racing, but I do still preset it where I want it at the start of the day. On windier days I’ll pull it in more to reduce heeling and weather helm. On calmer days I’ll leave it a little more slack to get the extra power. Also, a loose foot isn’t just to help make adjustments easier; it just generally improves the shape of the bottom of the sail and effectiveness of the adjustments.

 

[jssailem]

When I ordered my new mainsail, I selected a loose foot to replace the original track footed sail. This spawned a new issue. The original secured foot to the boom provided a way to capture the sail on the boom. The solution was to install lazyjack lines to capture the sail when it is lowered. They work. It is an improvement to drop the sail and have it sitting on the boom between the lazy jack lines.

Better sail shape and easier sail management. Win win.

 

[ciso]

Thanks everyone. I called up the closest loft that works with my sails (Doyle) and a guy there said that even though there is a rope, it's not for the track. There is a slug on the sail, so it is supposed to be loose footed. I guess the previous owner didn't realize this :shrug:

I do have lazy jacks so that tracks with having the loose footed sail as well.

 

[Brian M H23]

This is fascinating because my 29.5 mainsail is a Doyle... And I just fought that rope into the track. It seemed a bit too large but I got it. Hmmmm

Thanks everyone. I called up the closest loft that works with my sails (Doyle) and a guy there said that even though there is a rope, it's not for the track. There is a slug on the sail, so it is supposed to be loose footed. I guess the previous owner didn't realize this :shrug:

I do have lazy jacks so that tracks with having the loose footed sail as well.