Loose-Footed Main for a Cruiser?

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by sneuman

I have no experience with them. Will a loose-footed mainsail would blow out the bottom when reefed? Is there any other reason they are unsuitable for cruising (as opposed to racing)?

I have one and it does just fine. Reefing is no different. You just keep your main (first) outhaul tight. And rather then wrapping your reef ties around the boom, you just tie up the foot of the sail, which is better on the sail as it will not stress out the tie eyelets.

BTW you will need a boomvang that either carries the weight of the boom w/sail or a rigid vang. I use a spring loaded vang assisted with a topping lift. An accidental jib can break a boom with a rigid vang.