[alanrothenbush]

I am about to buy a new mainsail (actually, a kit from Sailrite).

I'm planning on going loose footed for a number of reasons, most boiling down to sailors I trust tell me to, AND it's one more thing to fiddle with.

(Sailing for me is mood dependent, either fiddling incessantly for that last bit of speed, or kicking back and enjoying whatever speed I'm doing, so long as it's non-zero.)

My current main does of course have an outhaul, but it's rigged so poorly that I tend to adjust it at the dock in spring for full tight (just in case) and never change it again.

So, I'm going to rig a proper outhaul system that CAN be adjusted, beginning with a modification to the boom end fitting to allow the outhaul (and reefing lines, while I'm at it) to run through the boom and out the bottom, back to the cockpit.

I'm now at the point where I need to think about the tackle inside the boom, and here's the question.

How much travel do I need to allow for, on a sail with a 10' foot?

Frankly, I have no idea.

I have room for 5' easily, 6' if I'm very careful. But logic tells me 12 inches will probably be more than enough, and just a few inches is the more likely adjustment range.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Alan

 

[mf70]

Re: Loose footed mains .. how much clew travel?

You do mean clew outhaul, not tack, right?

I'd rig a temporary setup on the outside - a cheek block leading to a gun tackle. Once you get confidence in the needed range, set it up inside.

My 14" foot loose footed sails move about 8" between off wind and close hauled. I don't need a lot of advantage to adjust.

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

Hi Alan,

Theres a newer easier method where you don't need a track to tack the clew. As you said, you run the outhaul line at the aft end of the boom (normally the middle sheave. The reefing lines are in the two outboard sheaves). Then the sail maker provides you with double sided velcro that goes through the clew ring and around the boom several times. Suprisingly this holds the clew down. Then you attach the outhaul line to the clew ring and the velcro will slide quite well.
It means you don't really have to worry about the length of travel as you have all the way to the sheave.

The sailmaker, or the kit, should be able to tell you how long your foot can be compared to the length of boom and the amount you need. Its also dependent on the cloth. Dacron? Plus you need a little extra for stretch for when the sail is older.
I would have throught the 6 inches you mention or the 8 inches MF70 says would be about right.

Now that I have got the here I am not so sure I answered your question, or if I am getting confused in me old age...

How long is your boom? How long is the foot of your current mainsail?

 

[Faster]

Suggest you convert to a clew strap over a track/car for this.. simpler and cleaner.

 

[pdqaltair]

Hi Alan,

Theres a newer easier method where you don't need a track to tack the clew. As you said, you run the outhaul line at the aft end of the boom (normally the middle sheave. The reefing lines are in the two outboard sheaves). Then the sail maker provides you with double sided velcro that goes through the clew ring and around the boom several times. Suprisingly this holds the clew down. Then you attach the outhaul line to the clew ring and the velcro will slide quite well.
It means you don't really have to worry about the length of travel as you have all the way to the sheave.

The sailmaker, or the kit, should be able to tell you how long your foot can be compared to the length of boom and the amount you need. Its also dependent on the cloth. Dacron? Plus you need a little extra for stretch for when the sail is older.
I would have throught the 6 inches you mention or the 8 inches MF70 says would be about right.

Now that I have got the here I am not so sure I answered your question, or if I am getting confused in me old age...

How long is your boom? How long is the foot of your current mainsail?

Google "clew strap." Common on race boats, very easy to adjust. I've had ball bearing cars and they were no better.

 

[SHNOOL]

Interesting seems like each of us read his post differently.
Group A) was concerned with the adjustment length of his new outhaul tackle.
Group B) was concerned with the clew attachment point, and therefore grove/slot whereupon it would slide as if the OP was worried about creating a track for said outhaul.

I'm firmly in Group A in how I read it.. but am probably wrong (only the OP can enlighten us)... I found myself configuring the outhaul to move about 8 inches on my 25 footer, with a 9 foot boom, and if I am honest I really typically only moved it 4 within the max possible of 8 inches (ie: from 0, fully taut, to 4 inches in).

I know the 8:1 outhaul kit for the Capri 25, and Capri 22 (8.5ft booms) starts at 25 inches in from the end of the boom, and the total movement of the outhaul is only about 14 or so inches total (the hardware takes up some of that 25 inches within the boom). Typical J/22 racing config moves the outhaul at most 5 inches.

As for Group B... I'm a total dork and bought my expensive new mainsail, and it came with the velcro clewstrap, and I hadn't seen anyone use one, so I fashioned up this ridiculous sail slug in the boom and shackle to make it work. It worked, but wasn't the right way, so if you were asking the question Group B here is in, then they really have you covered nicely. And the picture shown above is a stellar example of how to use one. I don't know if the Sailrite kit will have one though.

 

[blt2ski]

My boat has a 10 FOOT foot. I use maybe 6-8" at most, usually no more than 4-5" of movement at the clew.

I also have the strap Faster mentioned, makes adjusting pretty simple.

Not sure how the op will have 5-6 feet of clew movement with a 10foot foot.....but what the hay! along with what do I know!!!!!

I have room for 5' easily, 6' if I'm very careful. But logic tells me 12 inches will probably be more than enough, and just a few inches is the more likely adjustment range.

Marty

 

[Stumble]

Generally 5% of foot leingth in the outhaul is more than enough, but it is pretty normal to try and leave 10% of the foot available. If for no other reason than it makes it easier to take the sail on and off. I generally always try to have as much travel available as possible, but so long as you are at 10% you are fine.

 

[Liquorice]

Rule of thumb is:
Max draft depth 12% (full sail; max power)
Flat sail draft depth 8% (flat sail; light air; depowered)

But if you use 12% to 0% that will give you all possible options.

You can work out the clew movement and hence the details in your outhaul cascade.

sam