Sort of like, which side of the bed do I like to get up on? Might be worth your while to spend some time over on the, "Sail Trim With Don Guillette", forum. He is pretty knowledgable about your question. Also lots of information about it in the archives.Has anyone have sailed a Hunter 28 with a loose footed sail. I'm told it will provide better shape and performance.
Thoughts???
Actually there are a lot of liabilities to a loose-footed mainsail. You might see my post under 'H33 Mainsail' (Cherubini Hunters).There's no downside to a loose-footed mainsail.
You would have had two such footed mainsails had I been your other customerGo loose footed. I have measured and installed sails on over 100 boats when supporting a large international sailmaker. I think I only installed one footed mainsail and that was only on the insistence of the owner. On large boats the out haul car can be questionable, but this is easily solved with a spectra/Velcro strap through the clew and around the boom. Won’t be an issue on your boat
You'll need it; as, when furling, if you don't have in-mast furling or a Dutchman you won't have any other way to keep the sail on the boat!When lowering your MainSail you’ll find a lazy jack system a nice helper.
I think I understand your intentions.you won't have any other way to keep the sail on the boat!
Amen!Therefore rig your boat to work well in the worst conditions;
Yep, got a new loose foot full batten main with Dutchman this winter, works fine.Wouldn't tightening the outhaul be sufficient for dropping a loose footed main? Do they still work with a Dutchman system? I have a fixed footed main and Dutchman and I like the setup.