Loose-Footed Main

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Bash

That's called a "flattener reef." While it doesn't reduce the sail area much, it will significantly alter the shape of the sail, helping not only to flatten it but also to make it point higher.

Play with that reef, and you'll find itI think can make a huge difference.

I think you misread my post. The Cringle is only 6" closer to the mast than the clew. It's a few feet above the boom. I've has a main with a flattening reef, but that's not what I'm taking about.

I just don't see a reefed main being any different than a loose fitted main. Similar forces in similar places.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

I just don't see a reefed main being any different than a loose fitted main. Similar forces in similar places.

Correct, except for the relatively minor point that on a reefed main the load is (usually) spread to two points - a sheave on boom end and a 'tie around the boom' under the reef point - while with a full loose foot the clew load is (usually) slightly more concentrated (on a track or on more modern booms a spectra webbing around the boom, and the outhaul). But this slight difference is unlikely to be enough to make a structural difference/problem except perhaps for the very most highly engineered carbon racing booms.

[boatman61]

Jeez..... I'm SO GLAD I'm just a simple seaman...
I work on boats and take em here n there...
But hell...... You guys make everything sound so SCAREY....