Loose Foot vs. Fixed? H26

[rgranger]

Hello H26 and/or H260:

I have decided to bite the bullet and get a new main sail. I got this H26 last April and at first I just thought I was not used to sailing a water ballast boat but... I'm now convinced my main is totally blown. Even in winds as light as 8 kts, the main adds only about 1 kt of speed vs. main plus genoa yet it makes the boat heel over quite a bit and I get severe weather helm. I can make 5 kts in 8 kts wind with both sails and my speed only drops to about 4.2 kts with genoa alone. The main is not really working for me.

So in shopping around, it seems all of the "stock" H26 sails I see are now loose foot. My original sail is not loose foot. Is that something Hunter changed at some point?

thnx,

r

 

[Kermit]

Hey Rob. I've never used a loose-footed main but everything I read says loose-footed is the way to go. Something about achieving better shape under sail. (Maybe I need a new loose-footed waist.)

 

[rgranger]

...(Maybe I need a new loose-footed waist.)

Right there with you ....

 

[Joe]

Get the detached foot sail. If your main is truly blown out, definitely replace it. However, the major change in performance will come from the new sail, not especially the detached foot feature, which makes it easier to trim.

 

[rgranger]

Thanks @Joe

 

[Jackdaw]

Every sail will generate both drag and lift. The newer and better the sail, the better the ratio of lift:drag is. Lift shows up as boatspeed. Drag shows up as heeling force. That should tell you something about your current sail. ;^

Loose footed is better with zero downside. That's why 98% of new sails are made this way.

 

[rgranger]

That should tell you something about your current sail. ;^

Thanks @Jackdaw

I suspected it was blown right from the start but it was suggested that I need to play with the boat a little first since this is my first water ballasted boat. I have no doubts now.

 

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[JRacer]

Loose

 

[Gary Ballentine]

Had both... Loose foot is much better.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I defer to those who have loose foot mains and most importantly, Jackdaw on this one.
Forgot what year the boat is but the age alone, the main needs to be replaced as I thought it may have been stretched enough waiting for it to tear. I sold the boat oringally and helped Rob with the boat last spring. I was tired and exhausted and felt I did not help him much. Stent implant the following month which was a close one for me. I am impressed with Rob's work on sailboats and knowledge. However, he gets an A plus for putting up with me.