[Rhodes22-list] Experimenting with loose-footed main

[John Lock]

At 11:11 AM 9/9/2007 -0400, TN Rhodey wrote:
>I am not sure I understand...your outhaul should work with typical bolt rope
>or shelf foot main. The cut of the sail is much different but the outhaul
>should work. Anyway I wouldn't expect any improvement in performance.

Well on my boat, easing the outhaul doesn't do much but decrease the 
tension on the bolt rope.  The range of motion is very slight, since 
you can't really push a rope!  The outhaul's main function seems to 
be merely to pull the sail out in the boom slot.

However, a loose-footed main would allow me to but a lot more belly 
in the lower part of the sail by easing the outhaul as much as 
desired (much like moving a jib car fore and aft).

Agreed, the sail is not cut for this, but it's just an experiment for effect.

>With IMF loose foot makes sense but with standard rig I think loose foot
>makes reefing and sail stowage a little messier. As you lower the sail the
>foot helps keep the sail in place while you reef.

Good point, I wasn't thinking about reefing or dousing 
side-effects.  But since my boom is the roller-reefing variety, one 
turn and it's no longer a loose-footed main anyway!

Cheers!

John Lock
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s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
Lake Sinclair, GA
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