Just got a new main sail for the hunter 30 and it is a loose foot sail. any tips for not stretching it?. Or is stretching an issue with the out haul tight all the time. Thanks
Loose foot main
- Thread starter Chuck Creel
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All sail material will 'creep' if tensioned long
term under constant load. Creep is permanent deformation and is characteristic of most polymers. Simply unload the outhaul when the sail is not raised ... whether the sail is boltroped/slugged or loose footed. Since a loose footed sail (tape reinforcement instead of a boltrope) is easier to overstretch .... just be sure to not 'store' the sail with the outhaul tight .... unload it when not sailing.
term under constant load. Creep is permanent deformation and is characteristic of most polymers. Simply unload the outhaul when the sail is not raised ... whether the sail is boltroped/slugged or loose footed. Since a loose footed sail (tape reinforcement instead of a boltrope) is easier to overstretch .... just be sure to not 'store' the sail with the outhaul tight .... unload it when not sailing.
laminate
I would think one would want a laminate sail for this type of application. It will stretch over the years. You might want a sail maker to take a look at it to be recut down the road.
I would think one would want a laminate sail for this type of application. It will stretch over the years. You might want a sail maker to take a look at it to be recut down the road.
Loose Footed Main Tension
We've had a loose footed main on our 28.5 for 4 years now and the shape continues to be great; with the loose foot making it easier to adjust the depth and see the adjustment. We do 'relax' the outhaul when we put on the sail cover, if it has been tightened during the day, but never need more than a hand tight adjustment anyway. Typically, one could probably put more tension into the luff by hoistiing it with a winch. Anyway, we have marked the halyards for maximum hoist and marked the outhaul for its maximum tension as well (black permanent marker) and use those positions to gauge any further adjustemts. A bolt rope on the foot just makes it harder to quickly put more depth in the lower third of the main. IMHO the strength and resistance to stretch wouldn't be any different for a properly designed sail.
We've had a loose footed main on our 28.5 for 4 years now and the shape continues to be great; with the loose foot making it easier to adjust the depth and see the adjustment. We do 'relax' the outhaul when we put on the sail cover, if it has been tightened during the day, but never need more than a hand tight adjustment anyway. Typically, one could probably put more tension into the luff by hoistiing it with a winch. Anyway, we have marked the halyards for maximum hoist and marked the outhaul for its maximum tension as well (black permanent marker) and use those positions to gauge any further adjustemts. A bolt rope on the foot just makes it harder to quickly put more depth in the lower third of the main. IMHO the strength and resistance to stretch wouldn't be any different for a properly designed sail.
Mine is 11 years old
As with all boats with in-mast furling, the main has to be loose footed. My boat is a 1996 and there may be some sail deformation but I can't really notice any. If the sail has stretched, I think it is more a factor of age than the loose footed construction.
As with all boats with in-mast furling, the main has to be loose footed. My boat is a 1996 and there may be some sail deformation but I can't really notice any. If the sail has stretched, I think it is more a factor of age than the loose footed construction.
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