Loose footed main.

[ghockaday]

The only advantage I could see is that is easier to adjust from by the boom. When at the back it may put you in ackward position while sailing if you want to adjust. I had my reef lines end on the end of the boom for a while. But I could only reef on one tack so I would not hang over the side. I moved them to the front of the boom. Dennis

[atcowboy]

I'm going to look at a CD. It has a full batten sail, that is loose foot on the boom, the leach line goes to the head of the sail and uses a shive to return the leach adjustments at the mast instead of at the end of the boom. That seems like a long way to go. Can anyone ring in on this configuration?

It sounds like an interesting setup. Where is the block attached? I'd have to imagine on the sail. Maybe on the headboard? Is the line internal along the luff, or a few external guides along the luff to keep it tidy when you bring the sail down? Are there any reef points in the sail, and does it have anything to allow you to adjust the line if you reef?

I just had a new main made (haven't even used it). It has 3 reefs, and a new cleat for the leech line at each reef. Thinking about it I suspect the first 3 cleats will be over the rail a lot of the time. That's a shame, as I've designed my reefing to be done very close to the mast.

I would probably call a sail loft or two and either ask them what their opinion of the system is, or ask them to make you a sail like that and see what they say. You'll probably get a different opinion from each but it may help you make a decision.

- AT