Safety Strap for Loose-Footed Main Sail Conversion

[rardiH36]

Before I go about the "trial-and-error-till-get-it-right" DIY approach, thought to ask if anyone has some tips.

Background is that I just recently put on a loose-footed mainsail for the first time. I have read that racer's often will wrap a strap -- with Velcro sewn to it -- through the clew grommet and around the boom to provide added safety in case the out-haul gives way. And also to keep the clew tighter up against the boom.

In my case, I have utilized my previous bigger metal clew slide in the boom track to secure the clew. Therefore a complete "let go" if the outhaul fails isn't a major concern. But also I tend to detach my topping lift from the boom when sailing. So a clew/boom strap will add some safety. And of course even more important if used to secure my reef clew grommets to the boom when I have reefed my main sail.

Question 1: How many inches of Velcro should be used at the end of the strap? 6"? 12"! More?

Question 2: How long should the strap be. Enough for 2 wraps? 3? More?

Question 3: How exactly is the strap attached and wrapped?

Many thanks!

 

[Cmp1110]

On a boat I raced on it was long enough to go around the boom at least twice and the Velcro part was pretty much the whole thing. I would imagine you can just get one from north or any of the racing sail lofts

 

[JohnShannon]

I converted to cluelessness with a slug, but the slug would pop out during jibes. Then switched to the velcro strap, it is about 2 turns around the boom maybe an inch wide. No problems since. As was mentioned sail loft should have it.

 

[topcat0399]

snip: I converted to cluelessness.......end snip

I beat you to that ages ago....

 

[Joe]

I just used a piece of 3/4 inch webbing wrapped twice an tied with a slipped reef knot. The only time you remove it is when you take the sail off... which racers do regularly...thus the Velcro. If you only take the sail off once a year... or less... the Velcro is not really necessary.

 

[thinwater]

This is NOT a safety strap, it is to hold the clew to the boom. Without the strap outhauling is impossible; the loads are too high. The mainsheet tackle is MUCH stronger than the outhaul tackle in most cases.

As for how they look, Google "clew strap." You can buy them, as sail maker can make them, or you can lash the clew down with Amsteel (slides well).

In my case, I used a sail tie the first day with a new main and it actually worked well. I changed to something more convenient later, but there is no functional difference. It is that simple.

 

[Jackdaw]

As Joe and Thin note, it is not a safety strap. It is integral to the rig and designed to hold the clew to the boom. This is a task the outhaul cannot perform well when snug, or at all the moment the outhaul is eased to any degree.

It is also much more secure than a slug.

You can also tie webbing to the same effect, but as Joe notes Velcro is much more convenient when changing sails and the Velcro will never ever come loose inadvertently.

You can see our small boats yellow strap (kinda) in the picture. Snug but not too tight. We spray the boom with McLube to help it slide.

 

[rardiH36]

Thanks for the tips and explanations.

In my boneyard of stuff, I have strapping and Velcro. The sewing machine zig-zags to mate the two.

Thanks for the clarification that the strap functions primarily as the 'slide' between the clew and the boom and outhaul. As most of my outings during the summer are with a reefed mainsail, strapping the reef clews around the boom would be a safety feature. Not that it's ever happened to me, but I have always had a lingering concern about something along the reefing line failing, or even perhaps a bad cleat wrap coming loose would cause a spot of bother. I think that transferring the strap back and forth to the clew actually in use wouldn't delay things too much.

 

[Chief RA]

Jackdaw: Would a Cunningham be more effective with a loose foot sail? Kinda seems like to me, it would. Chief

 

[Jackdaw]

As most of my outings during the summer are with a reefed mainsail, strapping the reef clews around the boom would be a safety feature. Not that it's ever happened to me, but I have always had a lingering concern about something along the reefing line failing, or even perhaps a bad cleat wrap coming loose would cause a spot of bother. I think that transferring the strap back and forth to the clew actually in use wouldn't delay things too much.

This is a common off-shore racing trick. a failed (or opened!) reefing clew will destroy the sail. But use two straps. Make one just for the reef. You'll be happier.

 

[Jackdaw]

Jackdaw: Would a Cunningham be more effective with a loose foot sail? Kinda seems like to me, it would. Chief

Not really. A cunningham slightly distorts the shape of the sail in the area of the cunningham when it is pulled hard, but that area is disturbed by the presence of the mast anyway. The foot shape (controlled by the outhaul) looks pretty much the same with a loose or attached foot.

Here we are going close reaching in 14 knots. Loose footed main is ultra flat, and the cunningham is on to pull draft forward. That slight wrinkle has no real effect.

 

[All U Get]

You can see our small boats yellow strap (kinda) in the picture. Snug but not too tight. We spray the boom with McLube to help it slide.

Nice thought on the McLube. We have the Velcro with three wraps and it creaks when the wind pipes up. Would a Dyneema soft shackle work in this situation or even for the reef lines?

All U Get

 

[Jackdaw]

Nice thought on the McLube. We have the Velcro with three wraps and it creaks when the wind pipes up. Would a Dyneema soft shackle work in this situation or even for the reef lines?

All U Get

When its breezy all the running rigging creaks and groans on our boat!

A perfectly size soft shackle might work OK for the strap. I think its a great idea as a safety for the reef eye.

 

[Dan_Y]

Easing the reefing line

This is a common off-shore racing trick. a failed (or opened!) reefing clew will destroy the sail. But use two straps. Make one just for the reef. You'll be happier.

So do you want the strap to slide on the boom so the reef line can be slightly eased to add some draft back into the main if the wind drops slightly, but not dropped enough to shake out the reef? My reefing line attaches under the boom directly below the clew reef cringle, then routes up thru the cringe, then to the back of the boom, acting somewhat as an outhaul and a strap or maybe a downhaul.The strap sounds like good insurance.

 

[Jackdaw]

So do you want the strap to slide on the boom so the reef line can be slightly eased to add some draft back into the main if the wind drops slightly, but not dropped enough to shake out the reef? My reefing line attaches under the boom directly below the clew reef cringle, then routes up thru the cringe, then to the back of the boom, acting somewhat as an outhaul and a strap or maybe a downhaul.The strap sounds like good insurance.

The strap at the clew should slide to allow the adjustment you describe. The safety strap wrapped around the boom at the reef point eye can be a little loose ; it's really a safety. the reefing line should hold the eye tight to the boom and back. The way you rig yours is correct.

Another reefing safety tip: If you reef lines come to clutches, after you are set tie an overhand slip knot into the reefing line just behind the clutch. That will save a mini-disaster if the clutch gets opened accidentally. We also do this on our main halyard.

 

[Dan_Y]

Ooohhhhh... really great reef safety tip. My reef tack eye is secured on a hook at the goose neck (ram's horn??) and I just installed the hardware this season to get the reef line back to the cockpit through a clutch... THANKS!