[Public-List] Loose Footed vs Bolt Rope Mainsail

[Gordon Laco]

Hello Clay - 

A loose footed main is a nice thing in some types of boat, but not in ours.   The extra depth one can put into the mainsail (deeper draft = more power) is not useable because of the heavy helm it causes.

You’ll find no benefit, furling may be a little tougher.  Your sailmaker is correct with the comment about no loss of strength, but you’ll need a stronger outhaul… you’ll need power to pull the sail flat enough to be effective… and once you’ve got it there, you’ll see ‘hey wait a minute, the foot is right along the boom anyway…'

Loose footed is cheaper and less work for the sail maker… if they’re promoting that type of foot, it should come with a reduction in price.

You don’t race so no point in discussing it would be an illegal sail.

I’m one of those who both cruise and race… and I’ve been known to pound the table spilling other people’s beer expounding that performance is really more of interest to cruisers than racers.  A yacht away on a cruise is much more likely to be in a situation where she’s got to do her best to get you home.  Crappy sails and rigging ‘good enough for cruising’ are really not good enough at all when the chips are down….

Did you hear the rising violins?   I’m pounding my desk now...

Gordon Laco
426 Surprise
www.gordonlaco.com




> On Apr 6, 2020, at 11:01 AM, Clay Pass via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I am having a new mainsail made by Bacon's and the issue of loose foot vs.
> bolt rope has come up.  Given that I am not racing, but planning on
> cruising exclusively, are there recommendations regarding a loose footed
> sail?  Most that I read online recommends the loose foot design and in fact
> Bacon's says that it is rare that they make any bolt rope sails any more.
> I was initially concerned that the loose foot may not be as robust under
> heavy weather conditions, but it seems that many say they are equivalent.
> Is there any reason not to have the loose foot?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Clay Pass
> #449 Seeing Deep
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