Main Sail

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:43 am

How many of you are sailing a loose footed main?

Looking at the "boom length" post I saw Scott mention his...

After some price shopping on Main's I am getting a bid from a local rigger:

http://www.yagersails.com/aboutys.cfm

He is a local and does nice work, lots in the Puget Sound area. He figures he can beat the internet prices including the Chrysler logo and sail numbers...

I'll be dropping off my main so he can get measurements today, and can ask about loose footed as an option and cost...

Any thoughts??

Thanks!!

Billy

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:24 am

Destiny is loose footed as is Lady Jo.
I like it.

It does allow for better sail shape in lighter winds whil still being able to use the outhaul to flatten if necessary

Just my two bits!
Scott

John K · Post by **John K** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:28 am

I didn't know what it meant. I had to Google it!

Mine's not

Windward · Post by **Windward** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:31 am

To quote Iggy Pop: I'm loose. My outhaul has a 6:1 purchase and I frequently adjust it under sail. As Capt'n Scott pointed out, easy to optimize in light air, easy to flatten in the big stuff. I can't easily use the foot to catch rainwater on a long cruise -- something I don't anticipate needing to do on this boat -- but see no other disadvantage to the loose-footed configuration.

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 6:51 pm

I had mine set up both ways and do prefer loose footed main.

RedCanyon · Post by **RedCanyon** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:06 pm

@Windward

Jeff, may I ask, exactly how do you get a 6:1 purchase on an outhaul?
And (honest question) why?
Thanks
Keith

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:32 pm

Well...

The rigger likes them also. Easier and a bit cheaper due to not having to sew in the bolt rope. He asked about what system I have to control it at the boom end, warning about it getting loose and potentially dropping the boom. I have an adjustable topping lift so a plus there...

Kevin, you need a good system in place to adjust the sail when under pressure, which can be a lot.

Scott do you or anyone else have any picts of your set up?

I'll pick up my main and his estimate on Monday...

Thanks again!

Billy.

Windward · Post by **Windward** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:59 am

@RedCanyon - 3:1 at the clew

cascaded to a 2:1 at the gooseneck (you can just see it in this pic)

gives 6:1.

It's led aft to a cam cleat beneath the traveler bridge (second cam from the right in the above pic, next to the cunningham). Additional friction is not a problem and with that much purchase I can easily adjust under load with one hand while sailing. It's proven very effective for the way I sail, and I see no significant downside to the configuration.

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:56 am

Really like the traveller set-up and ...am I mistaken or do I see a home engineered boom "support" ...looks really clever and no need for teh head aches of the topping lift and no worries when running the loose foot dropping the boom... sweet!

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:20 am

Thanks Jeff,

proven very effective for the way I sail, and I see no significant downside to the configuration.

I take that to mean mean inclement nasty windy weather and solo

Windward · Post by **Windward** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:21 pm

@bhacurly: Yeah, that. Plus, I just like to tweak things. It was hard on me when radio and TV tuners went digital instead of the nice analog dials you could just barely nudge for a major improvement (or, sometimes, to lose the signal altogether).

@NYCSailor: I've been really happy with the traveler. Remember, you can often find a heck of a deal on closeout pieces-parts at the Harken Store's Close-Out section. http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/ ... 1.showpage has everything but the track for the car at about half off.

The boom support is actually an early generation BoomKicker. I love 'em, although fighting its force plus the wind is much easier with the 10:1 vang

. Having gotten used to the BoomKicker, it would be hard to go back to a plain ol' topping lift.[/url]

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:16 pm

Hey Jeff,

Next time your on your boat could you measure how far back from your mast your travellor is? Think I've mentioned before I'm thinking of doing that on my Catalina 27 project. Also, how much room do you have going below? Does the travellor become a head banging issue???

Thanks again,

Billy

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