free foot main
 

The "Hot knife" method was suggested by a sail maker "Mack Sails" as
a way of installing their Mack Pack sail cover on a bolt roped main,
with no adverse effect on the sail. In point of fact, all the boats
I've owned or sailed on have had slug footed mains, so passing the
reef ties was never an issue.

I spoke to the sail maker who made my sails (Jasper and Bailey). He is
not convinced that loose footed or fixed makes any difference on a
CRUISING main. This weekend, I'm going to remove the attached foot
of my main and fly it loose. if it works out, I'm just going to cut
the slugs off et voila, a loose footed main.

On Fri, 5 Sep 2003 19:57:28 -0300, "Capt. Mooron"
wrote:


"Marc" wrote in message
.. .
| Two ways.
| 1. make a slit with a hot knife 2" long just above the bolt rope and
| directly under the reef tie. Pass reef tie through slit.
|
| 2.Tie reef tie under boom LOOSELY so as not to stress the sail.
|
| Reef tie points are reinforced, but not enough to take the strain of
| a foot slug or bolt rope.

Yes.. I've utilized the loose tie under the boom. I found it lacking in
effect and prone to misjudgment by crew. I have never heard nor seen
employed the technique of cuts along the foot. I would imagine such a
procedure would adversely affect the sail... especially without
reinforcement.

At any rate.. I have never heard of a mainsail referred to as a "reefer
sail" either manufactured with your suggested cuts [ which I've never seen]
prior to or after the reintroduction of the free footed main by sail
manufacturers. Every vessel I've sailed on with a bolt rope along the foot
and equipped with reefing points used the tie around the boom method. Some
people believe the free footed design is a new concept... I doubt that's
accurate.

The free footed main allows for a cleaner, better shaped and easier method
of securing reefs.

CM

free foot main
 

"Marc" wrote in message
...
| The "Hot knife" method was suggested by a sail maker "Mack Sails" as
| a way of installing their Mack Pack sail cover on a bolt roped main,
| with no adverse effect on the sail. In point of fact, all the boats
| I've owned or sailed on have had slug footed mains, so passing the
| reef ties was never an issue.

There ya go... but you don't find slug footed sails all that often on boats
under 35 feet.

| I spoke to the sail maker who made my sails (Jasper and Bailey). He is
| not convinced that loose footed or fixed makes any difference on a
| CRUISING main. This weekend, I'm going to remove the attached foot
| of my main and fly it loose. if it works out, I'm just going to cut
| the slugs off et voila, a loose footed main.

I'd be interested to hear your verdict. I'm not certain why your sailmaker
claims it wouldn't make a difference. I have my outhaul and two lines
[#2&#3] run back to the cockpit. I find I adjust the outhaul quite a bit
when sailing since I've been flying free footed. I really like it much
better... except when it comes to the drop and flake. Even with lazy jacks I
find I get some spill off the boom. I was seriously considering a Stak
Pak....

CM

free foot main
 

Yes it does. What makes you say it doesn't?

Because anyone can tell from the pictures you posted of the damn thing. Your
main just comes down and rolls into the boom on a smooth curve. A sail with a
shelf foot looks like a loose foot when eased but it is connected to the boom
by a light weight piece of sailcloth. That light weight piece of cloth forms a
"shelf" when the outhaul is eased and it looks like a horizontal flat shelf.
When the outhaul is pulled tight the "shelf" disapears under the stretched
foot.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

free foot main
 

Here is a quote from the "Mainsail Instructions" that came with the sail.

You got the wrong papers with the sail.


S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

free foot main
 

I got interested in the idea of a loose footed main after sailing my
friends boat with an in mast furling main. Adjusting the outhaul had
immediate , dramatic, and visible effect. Also having the outhaul
control right to hand made it a control of first resort.

I think that we lose sight of the effectiveness of various sail
contols when we have to expend extra effort to use them and the
results of the manipulation are not readily apparent. Especially
single handing.



On Fri, 5 Sep 2003 21:38:37 -0300, "Capt. Mooron"
wrote:


"Marc" wrote in message
.. .
| The "Hot knife" method was suggested by a sail maker "Mack Sails" as
| a way of installing their Mack Pack sail cover on a bolt roped main,
| with no adverse effect on the sail. In point of fact, all the boats
| I've owned or sailed on have had slug footed mains, so passing the
| reef ties was never an issue.

There ya go... but you don't find slug footed sails all that often on boats
under 35 feet.

| I spoke to the sail maker who made my sails (Jasper and Bailey). He is
| not convinced that loose footed or fixed makes any difference on a
| CRUISING main. This weekend, I'm going to remove the attached foot
| of my main and fly it loose. if it works out, I'm just going to cut
| the slugs off et voila, a loose footed main.

I'd be interested to hear your verdict. I'm not certain why your sailmaker
claims it wouldn't make a difference. I have my outhaul and two lines
[#2&#3] run back to the cockpit. I find I adjust the outhaul quite a bit
when sailing since I've been flying free footed. I really like it much
better... except when it comes to the drop and flake. Even with lazy jacks I
find I get some spill off the boom. I was seriously considering a Stak
Pak....

CM

free foot main
 

You didn't miss anything. The pictures are too small and
of low quality. You can't really see anything worth seeing.

Learn how to operate your little laptop.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

free foot main
 

You say you ease the outhaul to get a fuller sail, How do you secure the
outhaul to keep the full trim?

A cleat maybe?


S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

free foot main
 

Mine is.

Scotty

"Capt. Mooron" wrote

There ya go... but you don't find slug footed sails all that often on
boats
under 35 feet.

free foot main
 

I quite like North but it's just a little overpriced against its
direct competition.

North's prices are not that bad especially if you buy at the right times of
the year. Quantum seems to be the high price leader. Actually a sail from any
quality loft is just fine. Harrstick, Banks, Ulman, UK, etc. The one thing I
wouldn't do is mail order a sail unless I was just trying to keep something
like an old C&C 32 moving.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

free foot main
 

"The Captains Master" wrote in message

| are they deep or shallow reefs?

Depends...sometimes I get the cringles confused....

Bet yours are shallow..... :-)

CM