Chrysler Sailors Forum

In the Dec 2013 issue of Sail Magazine, Win Fowler states that the best sail shape is attained with a loose footed mainsail. In the May 2014 issue he states that it is ok to use a mainsail with a foot bolt rope without threading it into the boom slot, the only caveat being possible noisy slapping of rope against the boom. If that is the case the rope can be removed.
My question to the forum is how many are using their mainsails loose footed???

I am.
No issues, plenty of adjustments.

I do not races so I can not tell you if it performs better.
Scott

I have a Doyle loose footed main. I tend to agree that best shape is attained with this type sail.

I have not tried running the main loose footed.
However I have had my outhaul come loose in a good gust, and that would be a real mess if it was loose footed.

Not to highjack this string, but it seems relevant to the topic.
What type of set-up are folks using for their main sail outhaul?
I'm running a single 1/4" line from the clew through a block at the end of the boom to a jam cleat on the side of the boom. I think that is the standard Chrysler setup. However it's impossible to adjust if there is any load on the sail, so I may be updating to a 4to1 purchase set up.

Best shape will be with a loose footed main, but I think to take advantage of that you need a sail designed to be loose footed.

I also use the main loose footed.

Hi all!

I bought a new main an went with a loose footed main. I use a 4:1 block system so I can easily adjust it under pressure to a jam cleat...

Funny, how I tend to focus on Lady Jo here.
Destiny also is loose footed!

Scott

A loose-footed main usually is best in very light air because it can be bagged to add draft down low. I haven't tried it in more moderate winds, but I suppose if the foot is well made and in good shape, it can be drawn tight with the outhaul without any concern in the long term. I recently modified my gunter main on my canoe-maran to be loose-footed. Much better performance in light winds and the jib tends to suck the leeward side out to keep it bagged.

thanx everyone

For a video of sailing a C-22 with a loose footed main in mild conditions, see my post in "1st Time Out This year."

The bolt rope tends to keep a "shelf" so the cut of the foot isn't critical in these conditions. More moderate winds might dictate that you re-visit the reinforcements and outhaul to stretch it tight.

Normally, a loose footed main is used on smaller lighter craft in light airs.