hedllo: I am buying a new main for our 91 37.5 hunter. Is the conversion to a loose footed main a good choice? It would be fully battened and with bat cars. Is there much in the way of rigging alterations to be done? Mike
Loose footed main
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Loose footed
We had a new main made last fall with loose foot, two full and two partial battens, and slugs. We had a rope luff and foot and four partial battens. The boat came out of the water before we could test the new sail. From research, including this forum, loose foot is perferred to control the sail shape.
We had a new main made last fall with loose foot, two full and two partial battens, and slugs. We had a rope luff and foot and four partial battens. The boat came out of the water before we could test the new sail. From research, including this forum, loose foot is perferred to control the sail shape.
It should be easy
I bought new North Sails for my '77 C30 two years ago and asked a similar question. I was wondering about performance. As far a rigging goes there weren't any alterations needed. The sail gets attached at both ends in the same manner as the fixed foot except the foot is free. It actually makes it very easy to take the sail on & off. As for performance, mine is also full battened. It works fine, I like it. I think it gives you more control if you want to change the shape. I bought from North Sails, they were very good about coming to the boat and measuring. When the sails were ready, the delivered them to my boat, fitted them on and then we went out for a sail and trimmed. Good deal for cruising sails!
I bought new North Sails for my '77 C30 two years ago and asked a similar question. I was wondering about performance. As far a rigging goes there weren't any alterations needed. The sail gets attached at both ends in the same manner as the fixed foot except the foot is free. It actually makes it very easy to take the sail on & off. As for performance, mine is also full battened. It works fine, I like it. I think it gives you more control if you want to change the shape. I bought from North Sails, they were very good about coming to the boat and measuring. When the sails were ready, the delivered them to my boat, fitted them on and then we went out for a sail and trimmed. Good deal for cruising sails!
Outhaul
Just make sure your outhaul is in good working order as it will now be a primary control for you. I personally like loose footed sails. They give you more control over the sail shape for the lower 1/3 of the sail. Their only drawback is that ALL the forces that normaly got spread out over the foot are now handled by the clew and tack. this can put a lot of stress on the sail corners if you over sheet
Just make sure your outhaul is in good working order as it will now be a primary control for you. I personally like loose footed sails. They give you more control over the sail shape for the lower 1/3 of the sail. Their only drawback is that ALL the forces that normaly got spread out over the foot are now handled by the clew and tack. this can put a lot of stress on the sail corners if you over sheet
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