[jackdale]

Faster is correct.

I tell my students that the ties are primarily cosmetic and help prevent the sail from blocking your view. Many charter companies do not put reef ties in the sails because of the damage that can be caused by trying to shake a reef with the ties in place.

Reef ties are tied loosely around the boom, whether or not the sail is loose footed.

One of disadvantages of the loose footed main is that the shelf of the sail on an attached main can be used to indicate too much outhaul tension. You get a crease if the outhaul is too hard.