Running Barefoot - with your shoes tied on to the bottom of your pants...

Posted By: Martin P '78 5.2 nr. 505
Date: 11/8/06 10:09a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Should I try out the loose foot? (Jeff)

I Apologize everyone, if you don't care for my analogy -- just to good to pass it up. Jeff - I am not a Sail maker or Sail designer -- just a dingy sailer with a few to many small boats -- and not enough time to sail them.... ((I did get out in a Sunfish yesterday for a few hours -- and had all of Gardiners Bay to myself -- got to love this time of year! )) though I have not sailed a traditionally made main in this fashion - I could see the shelf and bolt of the sail impeading flow and and making her look a bit wrinkley. One would have to look passed those imperfections (on the base of the sail) and look at how the shape of the draft is on the main section and the ability to deepen it and enhance the performance in light air. I don't think you would be that impressed if you use an Old sail the has been attached to the boom by the boltrope -- as I would speculate the sail (because of its memory) would tend to bunch at the base and not 'Look right' to whomever is trimming it. On a larger vessel - it would not be as apparent -- but, I think it would on the Harpoon. Maybe their is a more "Professional" member of this forum -- who may add some information on the way the base cut is defined on the foot of a loose footed sail. I'd be interested in hearing about it.... MPK