Cape Dory 28 main sail

[Sailingscotland]

I’m having new sails made for Lazy Beaver. The old sail had a rope bolt attaching to the boom. The sail maker suggested the new sail would be better to be loose footed. He suggested stitching a rope bolt into the sail bag thus leaving the sail loose. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Regards

[BernieA]

My old mainsail, replaced last year, also had a bolt rope along the foot. I opted for a loose footed main, and don't regret it. The loose foot makes outhaul adjustments easier and seem to allow for better sail shape.

Bernie Armstrong
CD28 S/V Pinafore
Sequim WA

[mgphl52]

I first went with a loose foot, full batten main on CD25 way back when. Shortly after acquiring KAYLA, I did the same in 2002. And just a few years ago, I bought another new main & 135%. I would never go back, but that's just my opinion...

[Sailingscotland]

Thanks for the replies. Loose foot it is. Seems my sail maker knows better than me.....

Regards

[Keith]

Agree with all. Went with loose footed last year. Much better sail shape and you can control the shape depending on wind conditions and course. IMHO the way to go.

Keith

[mgphl52]

Agree with all. Went with loose footed last year. Much better sail shape and you can control the shape depending on wind conditions and course. IMHO the way to go.

Keith

Yes, and it helps a lot (for me...) in light air, especially going beam reach or further.

[Sailingscotland]

Now...this may be a really stupid and obvious question, but, never having had a loose footed main before, do you need to have a downhaul for the luff to attach the sail to the boom? Before, the rope bolt secured to the boom, with the clew secured at the end of the boom.
As I said, this may be obvious, but......

[Sailingscotland]

Why ask one stupid question when you can ask two! As well as the down haul , I suppose I will also need to setup some sort of adjustment for the out haul at the clew? Before, with the rope bolt, the clew was simply tied off to the boom end and non adjustable. Is there an easy way to do this?

Regards

[ghockaday]

We also went loose footed on a CD 30, much better sail shape. Dennis

[Keith]

There are no stupid question. The only stupid thing is not asking question when others may have answers. Most main sails have either a SS ring or a cringe at the clew and the tack. For the clew you need to shackle a turning block to the end of the boom and add a cleat 18"-24" from the end of the boom. You can add a block to the clew as well if you need more mechanical advantage. I don't think that you need it on a 25 but others with 25's can comment. At the tack you have an attachment point at the goose neck to either bolt or shackle the tack to the boom or goose neck.

The first pic has the main reefed but you can see the tack SS ring bolted to the goose neck you can also see the attachment point on the cast aluminum end of the boom. The second pic shows a turning block with becket and the outhaul running from the becket through the cringe through the turning block then to the cleat. I could add another block at the cringe but find that it is not needed. Note: this was my old main that I felt was too short so my new main is 8" longer bringing it back to about the 4" mark on the tape measure

Ref mast.jpg

old main to short.JPG

Hope this is helpful.

Keith

[rorik]

Loose footed on my CD28.
Outhaul runs forward on boom, down to deck and aft to end of coach roof.
Simple, easy, good shape.

[Sailingscotland]

Keith, Rorik....many thanks for the detailed explanations and pics. Exactly what I was looking for. New sails to be ready for mid Feb. All I need then is an end to coronavirus and some good weather. Not too much to ask....is it....
Thanks again. What a useful forum!

Regards

[Carl Thunberg]

You're going to love your new sails! You may not notice an increase of boat speed (SOG - speed over ground) with the new sails, but you will point higher, so your course made good (CMG) speed will increase.

[Sailingscotland]

That’s what I’m hoping for. The No 1 and jib were the original sails from 1975. The main was more recent, but was not really the correct size! I am amazed the head sails lasted and we’re still usable after so long! Roll on summer!