Thom,

So, you're willing to sacrifice or compromise performance induced
by greater end vortex creation with its attendant drag in exchange
for seeing the 'trim'.

Not a very good exchange in my opinion. I would rather have the
shelf foot and install a few more yarn telltales to see the air flow
over the sail.

But yours is the typical case of 'overcompensation'. You screwed
up and forgot to specify a shelf foot for your sail and rather than
admit your mistake you engage in a cover up. You are as much
as saying, "I meant to do that".

S.Simon


"Thom Stewart" wrote in message ...
Kel,

When it comes to seeing the "TRIM" the free foot has it all over the
closed foot.

I've been very pleased! You can read even the slightest trim adjustment
real easy. That goes for halyard tension, Outhaul tension, Vang tension.
The draw string on the main foot is very effective as is the Leech Draw
string.

I have the full batten main and the set up on the North is far superior
to the UK battens.

I haven't had a good chance to try the sail in Hvy Air but I have no
dought of the sail's performance. Should know in a week or two (Now that
we're on the winter side of Labor Day)

Kel, let me know how you find the sail and the ease of trimming. I 'm
developing the habit of watching the curve of the free foot. It's such a
"kick in the ass" to see the speed of the trimming in the lower part of
the sail.

Ole Thom

Neal,

I've thought of that self but I don't think that is the case.

I really think I like the free footed sail better. You should know me
well enough by now to know that for the cost of installing a shelve if I
thought it was better there would be shelve on that sail.

I don't think it would be better! Neal, I don't think I lose that much
in performance, if any at all. It is a better sail, in my mind, right
now. I'll sail it this way for now. If I find anything as I sail it, I
will add the shelve. I don't think it will happen.

There is also a third option. As I really get to know the sail, I may
add the shelve and if I don't see an improvement I'll take it off. This
is the option that is the one that I'm considering the most right now.

In real life situations where you're not racing or
checking yourself with a stop watch I doubt you
or anybody can tell the difference between the
sail with or without the shelf.

If you don't have a shelf, however, all you have
holding the sail in place is one fitting holding the
clew. Does your fitting slide on a track or slot
in the boom? It seems to me that a sliding slug
attached to the clew cringle with webbing
combined with a bolt rope that also fits into the
slot in the boom with a separate outhaul hardware
is a much safer and stronger set-up overall.

I'm getting close to ordering my new set of sails
from Hong Kong sails. The shipping is steeper
at 140 dollars but with the lower sail prices it
still ends up being cheaper than Sailwharehouse
and the sails have better features. I was sure
to specify a shelf foot with metal slug at clew
attached with webbing and 3/8" bolt rope to
fit slot in boom.

S.Simon


"Thom Stewart" wrote in message ...
Neal,

I've thought of that self but I don't think that is the case.

I really think I like the free footed sail better. You should know me
well enough by now to know that for the cost of installing a shelve if I
thought it was better there would be shelve on that sail.

I don't think it would be better! Neal, I don't think I lose that much
in performance, if any at all. It is a better sail, in my mind, right
now. I'll sail it this way for now. If I find anything as I sail it, I
will add the shelve. I don't think it will happen.

There is also a third option. As I really get to know the sail, I may
add the shelve and if I don't see an improvement I'll take it off. This
is the option that is the one that I'm considering the most right now.

If you don't have a shelf, however, all you have
holding the sail in place is one fitting holding the
clew.

Duh .... there are plenty of mains without either a shelf foot or a loose foot.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

We ain't talkin' about any old racing junk here.
We're talkin' cruising, man. Go away! You know
nothing about cruising and cruising boats. Your
boat's even less a cruiser than a racer.

S.Simon


"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message ...
If you don't have a shelf, however, all you have
holding the sail in place is one fitting holding the
clew.

Duh .... there are plenty of mains without either a shelf foot or a loose foot.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport