Loose footed main?

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Just one day or so before making the sails and still not decided whether to go with loose footed main, or go with the plans. Seems to me like loose footed would be the way to go since it appears to be sooo much simpler. Are there any other practical advantages?

Also what would one have to do in preparation in comparison to "as per plans".

Thanks

Florin

[Stump]

Florin,

If you are building the poly sails I can attest that they are REALLY easy to make. I made a main for that little skiff I built in about an hour. That was with laying the spars on the tarp and drawing from there. That main is not much smaller than the Weekender main so figure what? a third again as large for the vacationer and adding a jib? I bet ya' you could make a set in not more than 3 hours adding all the grommets listed.

Thing that took the longest for me (and the most boring) was lashing the mast hoops to the sails, not hard, just dull. That rope lashing to the boom and gaff was kind of fun. Made me feel like I was actually a sailer

[capt jake]

Loose footed has the advantage of one more adjustment. On light air days, you can let it out to capture a bit more breeze. I have a loose footed mains'l on my Weekender and like the performance, though it does seem to perform better with teh foot held tight (but the sail shape is really good).

[Tim Diebert]

Go with a loose footed version Florin. I have tried both. No comparison.

You get much better light air performance.....and flatten it out when the wind kicks up. I get a very sexy foil out of mine.

You will just need to devise a clew outhaul. I have a simple version on mine and can send you pix if you need them.

[Craig]

Loose works best for me.

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Tim, I wouldn't mind having a look at the pics if you don't mind sending them...

Thanks

Florin

[Tim Diebert]

Here you go Florin.

http://www.timtone.com/tt/ttphotos/PhotosSailingClewOuthaul.htm