into a "partially footed" mainsail. Ok stay with me here, I'll try and explain what I am trying to do. I have a '99 Catalina 36 with the standard Catalina sails. Full battened main that is bolt rope footed and I use the dutchman flaking system. I am fairly satisfied with the main as it is, but when I loosen the outhaul to get some belly in the main the friction of the bolt rope in the foot doesn't allow it. The outhaul works fine and I can tighten it as much as I want, it just won't belly out as easily without me going forward and pulling on it or helping. I was wondering what kind of modifications could be possible to the foot to main to ease in my problems. Someone I know with a similar boat had the bolt rope removed and about 3 to 4 slugs sewn into the foot of the main. Have you heard of doing that? Is it a good suggestion, is it fairly easy? Is it possible to convert the sail into a "shelf footed" sail? What are the benefits of that? I have heard I really shouldn't convert a bolt to a loose footed, cos it really won't work right without a lot of modifications. From what I understand I kind of like the of a loose footed main, but I'm not sure it will work with the dutchman & I'm not ready to get a new main just yet.
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Loose Footed
Hi Tom, More and more cruisers are opting for the loose footed main for the same reasons you state. Your sail can certainly be converted to a loose foot. The bolt rope is removed and replaced with a foot tape. The problem you have is the Dutchman flaking system, it works best with the foot of the sail in the boom. But, don't fret, we have done many loose footed mains with the Dutchman system installed. With this set up, you just need to remember to pull the outhaul tight before dropping the main in order for the Dutchman to have enough tension for the sail to flake properly.
Hi Tom, More and more cruisers are opting for the loose footed main for the same reasons you state. Your sail can certainly be converted to a loose foot. The bolt rope is removed and replaced with a foot tape. The problem you have is the Dutchman flaking system, it works best with the foot of the sail in the boom. But, don't fret, we have done many loose footed mains with the Dutchman system installed. With this set up, you just need to remember to pull the outhaul tight before dropping the main in order for the Dutchman to have enough tension for the sail to flake properly.
T
Tom S.
Thanks, what about the idea of just having
a few slugs sewn into the foot of the sail, where the dutchman's come down. That would help with the dutchmans issues and still provide much less friction. Have you ever heard or seen this done not to go this way? Also is it a big job to convert a bolt rope footed main to a loose footed? Do you have to add material, or is the bolt rope just off?
a few slugs sewn into the foot of the sail, where the dutchman's come down. That would help with the dutchmans issues and still provide much less friction. Have you ever heard or seen this done not to go this way? Also is it a big job to convert a bolt rope footed main to a loose footed? Do you have to add material, or is the bolt rope just off?
D
Don Alexander
What a Good Idea
Tom, My main - not a Doyle sail - is very flat over the lower third so I took the foot rope right out of the boom and only used the steel slider at the clew. Although the sail designer (UK) had said it would be okay, the sail developed too much fullness in the upper parts due to the foot lifting up and allowing the cloth to distort on the bias. I did not think of having just a few slugs on the foot to control this. Thanks for the tip, I will give it a try - when the weather warms up. Regards, Don
Tom, My main - not a Doyle sail - is very flat over the lower third so I took the foot rope right out of the boom and only used the steel slider at the clew. Although the sail designer (UK) had said it would be okay, the sail developed too much fullness in the upper parts due to the foot lifting up and allowing the cloth to distort on the bias. I did not think of having just a few slugs on the foot to control this. Thanks for the tip, I will give it a try - when the weather warms up. Regards, Don
Slugs
Tom, Having a few slugs along the foot defeats some of the advantages to the loose foot. What can be done and we have done in the past, is to remove the Dutchman pockets and attach a bolt rope, slugs or slides directly to the pocket, and independent of the sail. A small line joins the pockets at the appropriate spacing for the dutchman lines. This arrangement allows adjustment to the foot and the freedom of the foot to follow a smooth camber when adjusting the outhaul, but maintains the appropriate tension and spacing on the Dutchman lines. As far as converting to a loose foot, it is not a big deal, the bolt rope is removed and a tape installed. A little bit more to do what I just mentioned for the Dutchman pockets. When it is time to replace your main with a new loose footed Main, your sailmaker will design the sail as loose footed and put in appropriate foot round.
Tom, Having a few slugs along the foot defeats some of the advantages to the loose foot. What can be done and we have done in the past, is to remove the Dutchman pockets and attach a bolt rope, slugs or slides directly to the pocket, and independent of the sail. A small line joins the pockets at the appropriate spacing for the dutchman lines. This arrangement allows adjustment to the foot and the freedom of the foot to follow a smooth camber when adjusting the outhaul, but maintains the appropriate tension and spacing on the Dutchman lines. As far as converting to a loose foot, it is not a big deal, the bolt rope is removed and a tape installed. A little bit more to do what I just mentioned for the Dutchman pockets. When it is time to replace your main with a new loose footed Main, your sailmaker will design the sail as loose footed and put in appropriate foot round.
T
Tom S.
Tim, thanks I think I might do this
I think I'd like the ability to more easily adjust/loosen the outhaul and add some belly. Thanks for the tips on the dutchman, that might be the way to go. I like the way the dutchman works and don't want to lose its nice ability to flake and control the sail.
I think I'd like the ability to more easily adjust/loosen the outhaul and add some belly. Thanks for the tips on the dutchman, that might be the way to go. I like the way the dutchman works and don't want to lose its nice ability to flake and control the sail.
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