[Public-List] Loose Footed vs Bolt Rope Mainsail

Mon Apr 6 10:28:00 PDT 2020

Sounds like good advice!  Thanks Don and Gordon!

On Mon, Apr 6, 2020 at 12:26 PM Don Campbell via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

>      I would agree with Gord completely, especially that cruisers get
> into more situations where they need the best possible sails to get
> home. That means that the cruiser needs to know the controls on those
> sails and how to use them to their maximum.  There are at least 9
> controls on a foresail and many more on the main. The object of course
> is to keep the draft to the depth of its design and keep it in the
> position fore to aft in the design for both sails to maximize
> performance from both sails acting together. Your first job when you are
> buying a sail is to define and specify those details , (depth and
> position of draft) for the winds that you sail in to your sail maker.
>      For example,  I have a 14:1 outhaul control  on my boom, and that is
> for a bolt rope main. I have really good control of the foot in the
> groove, and hence control of tension in the sail surface towards the
> clew whatever the wind force. I would want more for a loose footed sail.
> The real difficulty comes in overpowering winds, and that is when one
> needs to really flatten sails. With loose footed sails that is much more
> difficult and I do not want a luffing leach.
>      I can give you one example of a good sail maker who was commissioned
> to make a loose footed sail for hull 603. The owner at the time was an
> engineer and a teacher. He bent the sail on and could not get any power
> out of the new sail because he could not overcome the weather helm, so
> called the maker for assistance. The sail maker went out two times to
> get the owner set up and the boat moving, which he accomplished to his
> satisfaction. The owner was not still not able to get the boat moving on
> future trips so the sail maker bought the sail back, because he wanted
> to buy a C & C Corvette, and the sail would fit that rig. That boat
> acquisition did not happen as he bought a Shark! However, that sail is
> now on a Corvette and that owner is enjoying it on that boat. There is
> no comparison on the designs of those two hulls or rigs.
>      For these reasons, and the issue of helm,  which is a bit worse than
> it might be because the rig was designed as a fractional rig with the
> mast more forward than it is, I would not deviate from what works for
> most of us for the last 50 + years, and that is a bolt rope in the foot.
> Don Campbell
> For sail trim, I suggest Dr. Stuart Walker's  A Manual of Sail Trim, or
> the materials from North Sails on trim. These are books, which you have
> time to read right now, and if need be, take them on the boat if you
> need to try things !
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Gordon Laco via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all"
> <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Cc: "Gordon Laco" <mainstay at csolve.net>
> Sent: 2020-04-06 11:08:47 AM
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Loose Footed vs Bolt Rope Mainsail
>
> >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
> >http://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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