Loose-Footed Main\Class Standards

Posted By: Bob V
Date: 10/6/06 7:25a.m.

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I'm shopping for a new mainsail, and called Ethan at North Sails to see about their current one-design sale (good until October 15th). He said that they are honoring the discount, then described the Harpoon main they offer. It is made to the class standards, with no shelf and a boltrope attachment to the boom and mast. He said (of course) that they'd be glad to make it with slugs, with a shelf, or as a loose-footed main with some additional charge. Now as I go shopping around, it is obvious that sailmaking technology and knowledge have progressed a bit since 1980. Most folks are recommending either shelves or loose-footed mains, especially for light air performance. Jay has also been making some good points about maintaining the class standards for the Harpoon. Unfortunately, these two ideas are in conflict with one another. What's an owner to do? If I buy non-reg sails, I'll have an off-spec boat but perhaps a better handling boat (and maybe faster). If I buy regulation sails, I will have the nagging thought that maybe I could have done better, and it will probably nag me every time I put the sail up or down tugging on the boltropes. Any thoughts on how to solve the dilemma? Bob V