[Public-List] Loose-footed mainsail

Wed Nov 18 10:04:51 PST 2009

Guys there are plenty of boats out there with loose footed mains, and
not all of them are modern high performance boats with expensive
carbon parts.

The Laser, for example, has a loose footed main. Of course the Laser
was designed in the early 1970's or late 1960's so it's a good 10-15
years newer than our boat's design, not to mention the fact that it's
a one person daysailor that weighs a little over a hundred pounds. All
I'm saying is that loose feet are not only a super modern boat kind of
invention. Shoot, don't lateen rigs by definition have loose feet?
Maybe I'm wrong about this I don't know, but what the hell. I'm sure
Gord knows...

If you want to know how a traditional full keeled displacement hull
like ours will perform with a loose footed main, I suggest you read
Tim Lackey's triton 381 site which has extensive writings on the
subject (I sent a link to it earlier), and if you don't find an answer
by reading through what he's already written, try posting on his forum
or sending him an e-mail. He's a really nice guy, and he has a triton
with a loose footed main. This is probably as close as you'll get to
an Alberg with a loose foot, since they're very similar designs. So
I'm sure he can answer your question.

http://www.plasticclassicforum.com/

Later,

JB

On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM, Gordon Laco <mainstay at csolve.net> wrote:
> Can't resist joining in...
>
> One of the things our boats are prone to is heavy helms due to the large
> main and forward position of the mast.   I reckon the range of conditions
> one can use a super-cambered mainsail are rather slim.  The imbalance in the
> helm might be expected to cancel out the benefits....
>
> Ok - now let me have it, you lovers of loose footed (feeted) mains...
>
> Gord
>
> On 18-Nov-09, at 9:46 AM, John Birch wrote:
>
>> 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
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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