[Public-List] Loose-footed mainsail

[John Birch]

It is interesting to note that the America's Cup Class are not loose footed.

As for the A Class Cats, part of the rationale for loose footing is to save 
weight, as they are ultra high performance carbon wonders which weigh a 
total minimum of 165LB, minus crew.

The booms are a thin as broomsticks and would never support a tight foot.

The A-30 is a displacement hull, building a regular FB main with minimum 
shelf (2-3 inches, not 6 or more) means you can still race if you choose to 
or the next owner does.

Hey, it's your boat, buy what you want.

Me,  I like the notion of staying class legal.

Best

John


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Terrell" <dterrell at message.nmc.edu>
To: <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Loose-footed mainsail


> Ed
>
> I have a loose footed main - no not race. I really like it. One advantage 
> is that on light winds you can ease the outhaul and put a lot of shape in 
> the lower portion of the sail. You can do the opposite on heavy wind days 
> and get a very flat sail in a hurry and with little work.  the same thing 
> could be done when sailing down wind. If I understand the sail, this is 
> what the loose foot is for. I will ask my sailmaker, Quantum TC, and I 
> find different info, I will share it. I do remember that they said that l
> oose footed sails have their origins in high end racing fleets and have 
> "trickled down" to crusing and wednesday night racing.
>
> If you can wait till spring to order the sail, you could leave the bolt 
> rope out of the track and suddenly,  you will have a loose footed sail. 
> That way you can check out the differences. If I recollect you are from 
> Chicago and this is not an option right now.
>
> The key issue seems to be whether you intend to one design race the boat. 
> If you do, a loose footed is out; if not, you have a choice.
>
>>>> <mahseer at kos.net> 11/17/09 8:18 PM >>>
> Don
> It is my understanding from the Cheasapeke association that full batton
> sails are legal. I am sure the association will confirm this.
>
> John Boor
> MAHSEER #380
>
>
>> Hi Ed:
>> I am very pleased to hear that you are getting a new sail as a
>> cruiser. It should happen more often!
>
>> I do not see any major advantage for a loose footed sail for any
>> point of sail with an Alberg 30. If you order a sail with the draft
>> placement and depth specified for a bolt rope fit, you can easily avoid
>> any shelf or draft aft to begin with. Perhaps you will get a bit more
>> power off the bottom of the sail with more curve lower on the sail but
>> that would be the only place to gain. If you go with full battens, you
>> will get nearly the same sail shape. If you do get one, the depreciation
>> rate is extremely high the first time out because it cannot be sold to
>> an Alberg owner for anything but a cruising sail, since it is not
>> acceptable to either the Canadian or American race fleet.
>>
>> Don
>>
>> edward schroeder wrote:
>>> The "Emotional Rescue #303, has a sliding track on the mast for the the
>>> gooseneck and a boom with the usual groove for the mainsail foot bolt
>>> rope. We are ordering a new mainsail and all of the sailmakers
>>> interviewed are proposing a loose-footed mainsail and a cunningham.
>>>
>>> Has anybodies Alberg 30 got a loose-footed mainsail and, if so, are you
>>> satisfied? Do you tighten the outhaul from the aft end of the boom or
>>> have you rigged a system to tighten the sail from the mast end?
>>>
>>> With a sliding track on the mast for the gooseneck, with a downhaul, I
>>> see no use for a cunningham, especially since we don't race. Does
>>> anybody have a different opinion?
>>>
>>> Thanks, Ed Schroeder
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> These businesses support your Association:
>>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
>>> Please support them.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Public-List mailing list
>>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>>> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> These businesses support your Association:
>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
>> Please support them.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Public-List mailing list
>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
> 



 1258555588.0