Loose footed mainsail?

BayMan · Sep 10, 2015

Drinkmilk said:
Ripped our regular mainsail in 17-23 mph sustained winds a few weeks back.

<img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=91509"/>

Does anyone here sail with a loose footed main? A few YouTube racers seem to like them, but I'm more of a pocket cruiser kinda guy.

Yep. We have furling main which means loose foot. No problems.

Jackdaw · Sep 10, 2015

As a 'pocket cruiser kinda guy' you would probably not notice any real difference in performance and behavior while sailing. The loose foot will give you the ability to better shape the sail, but that mostly supposes you actively change the shape of the sail as conditions change.

Some people think them harder to flake along the boom, but if your outhaul is tightened before you do that, you won't notice.

Most new sails are being made this way; the reason is clear. Better performance potential with little or no loss in practicality. Most sailmakers now default to this unless a buyer demands a bolt rope in the foot.

Ward H · Sep 10, 2015

Jackdaw said:
Some people think them harder to flake along the boom, but if your outhaul is tightened before you do that, you won't notice.

JackDaw, would this mean you leave the outhaul tight while flaking the sail, then loosen it or do you leave it tight?

Jackdaw · Sep 11, 2015

Ward H said:
JackDaw, would this mean you leave the outhaul tight while flaking the sail, then loosen it or do you leave it tight?

When flaking just pull it tight enough so the foot stays against the boom. That will help the flaking. This does not have to be super tight, or as tight as you might have it when sailing in breeze.

Jackdaw · Sep 11, 2015

Drinkmilk said:
Thanks for the info. I don't know much about sailmaking trends, but it's nice to hear my loose foot main is becoming more common.

Though a cruiser at heart, I do enjoy futzing with the travelers and sheets during a sail. I figure that the wind changes therefore so should my sails. Besides, imo, like driving a manual shift car, sailing is more fun because of the active skippering. This and it gives my young kids and wife something to do to feel involved, making for a better time on the water for all.

What kind of hardware might I need on the boom end to handle the different forces? My footed sail's out haul was just a line tied to the metal loop that also connects the pig tail. Is this strong enough for a loose foot, too, or should I install a larger ring/ block & cleat?

I saw one big boat boom that used webbing wrapped through the grommet to the boom as a reinforcement. Maybe something like that with the pig tail loop? Not sure I'm to the tweaking expertise that Stingy and others are with their multi-block out hauls, but if that's what's recommended, then I'll try it.

While some sailmakers will still offer a slug setup, the current best-practice is to use a long double-sided velcro strap to wrap around the boom and through the clew. Very strong and allows easy adjustment, in particular if you spay some McLube under the strap.

Jackdaw · Sep 11, 2015

Drinkmilk said:
That must be what I saw in the pic, with the strap. Would a strong puff fill the sail so much as to move the strap if it's lubed?

Still learning. Thanks for the patience. I'm rather curious now as to how she'll sail with the loose foot and better shape.

No, you want the strap to be tight. But it needs to move when the outhaul is adjusted.

CloudDiver · Sep 11, 2015

I got a loose footed main from Hyde Sails... I'm impressed with the construction and quality. I won't be able to talk about sail shape and performance until the spring time, I have a long way to go on my resto before rigging and splash... which is also being slowed by my latest blunder in work/life balance, trying to get a Master's Degree!

jmczzz · Sep 13, 2015

Our 1972 C-22 had a puzzeling set up main sail when we purchased. Now I am thinking it was a loose footed sail from Kappa that for some reason the PO had a bolt roped foot sewed on. Wonder why PO thought that was needed? Wil a Loose footed main work on this old model boat? can I just remove the add on bolt roped foot and rig it on loose footed?
thanks James

Jackdaw · Sep 20, 2015

Drinkmilk said:
I've been reading up on this loose footed sail thing. If I understand it correctly...

Loose foots and bolt rope foots have a different sail shape to make best use of either the greater curve in a loose foot or the straighter foot ending with a bolt rope. Sewing on or removing a bolt rope negates any sail shape advantage for the intended design purpose of the sail.

So... your PO may have sewn in a bolt rope because he/she didn't know if this sail shape difference or had a problem that needed a temporary fix for the season. My slightly educated guess would be that removing the after-thought bolt rope would be ok. However, you may want a 2nd opinion from someone with more experience and who can look at the sail in question 1st hand. O

As for will it work on "this old model boat"? Maybe. When the wind fills the sail, loose foot sails have only two load points holding on to the boom because of how they're attached, at the front and end of the boom. A bolt rope in comparison would distribute the load evenly across the entire attachment area of the boom. If your main sheet is attached at the end of the boom, like on my '86 new design C22, then yes a loose foot sail will work for you. If your main sheet is attached in the middle of the boom, then no it will not work in high load/strong wind situations. The two forces, wind on the sail pulling "up" at the ends and main sheet pulling "down" in the middle, would be like shooting a bow and arrow, possibly bending or breaking your boom in the middle.

This is not true. No matter what the foot type, all of the sails loads are taken at the corners; the clew and tack. If you look at a load-path image of a powered-up mainsail, you'll see the loads near the foot actually running horizontally between the corners.

Charlie98117 · Sep 20, 2015

When I got new sails made last year my sailmaker recommended the loose footed design. I was already leaning that way based on my research but was sold when he said he has offered to remake the sail if anyone was unhappy but never had any takers.

jmczzz · Sep 20, 2015

I have been watching the stitched on “Shelf” foot as I sail the boat. I did take as much slack as I could get out of the sail by the out hall. It keeps the shelf folded and flatter against the boom as commented on here.
Now I am inclined to leave well enough alone as the sail itself looks to be in good shape (to me at least), unless someone can give me a good reason to do otherwise.
Thanks again, James
ps. I got the "shelf" comment on a different thread...

CaptDon01 · Sep 22, 2015

Here's how I have the outhaul on my full batten main set-up. goes back to a turning block on the bottom of the boom where it's easy to adjust.

I LOVE my loose footed full batten main! :dance:

Don

FastOlson · Sep 22, 2015

Loose foot mains appeared in our area in the early 80's. By the 90's they were normal on most boats. Racing or Cruising has no bearing on this.

Going forward, some sailors still like the "look" of their slug-footed main and they are entitled to their opinion. Costs a little more to have those retro slugs, however.

BTW, reply 14 explains one "concern" succinctly.

Cheers,
loren

Loose footed mainsail?

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