Main Sail Height?

[catalanc]

I coulda sworn that I asked this question before but I can't find it by searching the site ...
So how high should the main sail be raised? I presently have about a foot more room to raise the main to the "top" of the mast and a boom that could follow it, so I could raise it further. This would provide more room for my bimini underneath the boom. Are there any disadvantages to doing so?

 

[JohnVTX]

Nope

 

[Jackdaw]

Assuming your mainsail is properly sized, you should hoist it up to the top... normally there is a black band on the masttop to mark the upper hoist limit.

 

[markwbird]

You should raise it all the up until it is fully unfurled. If you can adjust the height of the boom then do so to your liking. You can raise the boom the clear a bimini or keep it lower.

 

[Justin_NSA]

The "top" is reached when the luff is as tight as it can get. unless your boom can slide up and down. Pretty much what Mark said.

 

[Benny17441]

There might be a negligible advantage as the wind speed should be higher the farther up away from the water. Just go for it as the use of the bimini is most important, at least here in FL.

 

[catalanc]

OK, thanks for the replies. I have not noticed a black band at the top of the mast, but I will look more carefully. I will pull the main to the top and then set the boom in place. I think that I may need to increase the length of my downhaul, but that probably should have been done already anyway.
Thanks as usual for the info.
cec

 

[Biobob Catalina 27]

The black band is where the boom usually sits, not at the top of the mast. But as has been said, if it is moveable, raise the main to the top and then adjust the boom to match. Sail might not have been cut exactly for your boat.