Loose Footed or Bolt rope Main-Preference Question

[Skeep]

Since I'm sailing a Typhoon, my question is primarily directed to Ty Sailors but am sure others will enjoy the conversation. And the question is of course:

Is your main loose footed or secured in the boom with a bolt rope and what have you experienced in terms of best practice for the Typhoon in terms of improving its performance with either?

Of course it appears that generally the practice has shifted to loose-footed mains, but it is not a given that everyone does have this. I am quite happy to "fix it and forget it" in terms of the sail adjustment because I'm not a performance sailor at-tall...yet would like to know what insights some of our Typhoon skippers have to say on this for the general edification of us all...

[Jim1945]

Skeep, I prefer a bolt rope in the foot of the sail. I had a sail built for my Ty and had to specify that. I also specified sail slides in the foot. For me it is just more a matter of personal preference. The only practical issue that I can think of is that there may be a little more wear on the sail with a bolt rope. Also, I have a Catalina 27 and had a sail made for it with a loose footed main. I didn't ask for that but that's the way the builder made it. I remember the first time I went out on a windy day and before I had the sail trimmed the main flogged kind of violently partly because of the loose foot. Once I tightened the outhaul everything was fine. It seems to me that it would probably less expensive for a sailmaker to make a loose footed sail. That may be one reason you see more of them today. But I'm just guessing about that. Another thought is about when reefing the sail. Maybe a little easier to have the loose sail connected to the boom?

[Skeep]

Well, of course retrofitting a 1974 model Typhoon with a preferential update such as loose footed main is probably a choice for some, but for me it seems that there might be some sail shape involved which might add to the Ty's handling. When I purchased my Ty, the previous owner had new sails from Ullman which whose main was loose footed. Not even thinking about it, I added the bolt rope to mine. It was an obvious decision because I had a track for it in my boom. So, track = sail with a bolt rope. I know, not very scientific, was more a reaction.

So my question focuses more on handling perhaps than on preference, but it seems the trend these days is loose footed as I read in articles for this sort of thing.

[kmulligan]

I just ordered a new main for a new (to me) 1980 Typhoon Daysailor and it will be loose footed as a bolt rope or slugs was an additional $75 option. So I too would be interested in the prevailing opinion of Ty owners as it's not too late to add the option.
Kevin Mulligan
Skibbereen, CD 28 # 226
Scout, Typhoon Daysailor # 50
Crystal River, Fl.

[Gary H]

When I owned a Ty, it was originally purchased with a main with a bolt rope. After several years, I replaced it with a loose footed main. The loose footed sail allowed for a fuller sail shape in very light air. As I saw no downside to it, I found it preferable.

[Skeep]

Gary, I'm thinking that the differential of loose versus bolt is rather negligible in terms of measureable increase in angle of tack etc., and that perhaps with the design of the Ty that it may be left simply to choice.

I've read quite a bit on the loose footed mainsail in terms of industry preference lately. I do think the discussion helps to focus on reefing techniques as an aside conversation, but as for performance, perhaps not much is gained? Just my observation.

[Neil Gordon]

>>Another thought is about when reefing the sail. Maybe a little easier to have the loose sail connected to the boom?<<

Neither the tack nor the clew are released or eased in tucking in a reef. I don't see where it would make a difference.

One advantage of a loose foot vs. a bolt rope in a track is that reef nettles gather the sail without going around the boom. That prevents any unintended strain on the reef points.

[Skeep]

Neil I could see that, however just to clarify your point-- if we're properly reefing then the reefing ties role is to gather the sail material and not tie-down the sail correct? Thus, the reefing ties should not necessarily be intended as strong points, which as you are saying would inadvertently put strain on the reef points and tear the sail--which years ago I learned in a moment of horror. One could imagine a 2nd or 3rd reef situation with tons of sail cloth about the deck as quite a messy and chaotic situation!

[Neil Gordon]

Neil I could see that, however just to clarify your point-- if we're properly reefing then the reefing ties role is to gather the sail material and not tie-down the sail correct? Thus, the reefing ties should not necessarily be intended as strong points, which as you are saying would inadvertently put strain on the reef points and tear the sail--which years ago I learned in a moment of horror. One could imagine a 2nd or 3rd reef situation with tons of sail cloth about the deck as quite a messy and chaotic situation!

In effect, once the reef is tucked in, the sail is loose footed.

As you say, with each subsequent reef, there's less working sail and more mess if you don't tidy up. Aside from the mess, in wet conditions, water that's caught by the main will flow into the big non-working belly of the reefed main... a great way to capture fresh water, I suppose, but also lots of weight and related strain on the sail.

[Dick Villamil]

I have both sails for my Typhoon - original bolt rope foot and one with slugs. The one with the slugs is really nice - and in case you want to use a boom vang that fits in the sail track, tie an emergency preventer etc, the space between the sail and boom is accessible. As for the loose footed main - I have that on my other boat and it is really nice - especially when sailing in light air and when commissioning/decommissioning the boat - makes installing or removing the sail a lot easier! It is very easy to adjust the foot of a loose footed main - less friction to overcome - but may make the "set it and forget it" sailor a "constantly tweaking" sailor who wants to race every sailboat on the water!

[jneely]

I just had a new main made for our CD 27 Troika. The sailmaker at Doyle sails recommended a loose footed sail and we went with his recommendation. The sail sets beautifully with or without reefs. There is no bagging or lumping along the boom. Instead there is a beautiful curve from tack to clew. The boat is somewhat faster and I am able to keep up more sail in strong winds. Lots less heeling and more go.

[Astronomertoo]

I just ordered a new main for a new (to me) 1980 Typhoon Daysailor and it will be loose footed as a bolt rope or slugs was an additional $75 option. So I too would be interested in the prevailing opinion of Ty owners as it's not too late to add the option.
Kevin Mulligan
Skibbereen, CD 28 # 226
Scout, Typhoon Daysailor # 50
Crystal River, Fl.

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Hey Kevin,
Do you still have both sailboats?
BobC

[Dick Villamil]

I have slugs for the main as well as the original bolt rope main. Putting the main on or taking it off is much easier with the slugs. My next main will have a loose foot - much easier to shape the sail as well as putting it on the boom in spring. I have gone to a loose foot on my other boat (hesitantly) and now would choose no other way than a loose foot.