Loose Footed Main Sail

[GaryG]

I am in the process of buying a new main sail for our Hunter 22. I would like to hear opinions about loose footed mains.thanx in advance,garyg

 

[Chuck Wayne]

loose footed mains

Loose footed mains were originally more common on raceboats because they allow the bottom of the sail to make a better foil, since the sailcloth isn't distorted by the straight boom. Bigger boats have used them quite successfully-look at the america's cup boats-they just added a cloth shelf to trap every last bit of air at the foot. in mast furling sails are loose footed (we've got one on our 356) and they work really well. you just need an outhaul set up for a loose foot, but on a 22 what you've got will probably work fine.PS-a quick plug! check out the Mine Hunter Sailing Association-a great group of sailors!www.mainehuntersailing.com

 

[Steve Carpman]

Check the Archives

The archives contain much information on loose footed main sails. You will find all the input you need to totally confuse you on your decision.

 

[Warren]

Loose Footed Mains

Having just ordered a new (loose-footed) main from NOrth for my Hunter 28.5, I was really interested in this type of sail. The North people seemed to feel loose-footed was a better choice than shelf-footed, and so I ordered it that way. But most of their arguments for loose-footed sails had to do more with the relative ease one would have in bending on the sail at the beginning of the season. Since you do that only once a year, I found that not to be a great selling point. End note: when the new sail arrived, it came with a bolt-roped shelf foot! North would take it back and modify for me if I so chose, but I think I'll just keep it the way it is. I seriously doubt that there are any performance differences between the two types. The decision may be more aesthetical than anything else.

 

[Dave Noack]

Loose footed main

The only drawback that I,ve heard about loose footed mains is that you lose the support on the boom that the foot of the main provides creating more strain on the boom where the boom vang and the main sheet attach. Don't know from personal experience but you maywant to check.

 

[Jim Honeyman]

Both worlds

I sail a H22 and use a conventional main sail. In light air I set the main semi loose foot that is the middle sluges are remover from the track on the boom. Heavy air calls for tighting the main and the sail slugs are reinserted into the boom track. I like being able to fly both ways.