Neal,
The Clew strap isn't for the sail!! It is FOR THE BOOM. A boom that was
meant to take a bolt rope footed main is compromised badly with a free
footed, two point vertical down hold. The Clew strap takes the strain
away from the BOOM SLOT. A single slug helps (?) but for the price of a
small piece of line or a strap, that slides on the boom and lets the
outhaul do the job it was intended to do is my choice.
Hope you never need it.
Ole Thom
http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomsHomePage
http://community.webtv.net/tassail/NutsysTelescopic