INVESTIGATOR 563

G'day all
In considering how to replace my sails I have received a number a quotes, all indicate the Mainsail they would provide would be the Loose Foot variety. My current Main is a captured(?) foot ie the sail fits into the boom for the length of the boom, there is no gap. I have slab reefing not roller reefing.
Is there a preferred version of the Main? Is there an advantage to Loose Footed mainsails? Should I be requesting the captured(?) foot version?

I don't really understand the virtues and differences between the two options.

Cheers
Sean

as our boats are now called old in the boating world the world has moved on
with it so called technology
i have a loose foot on my boat now but as i have pulled it in
to still sit in the grove of the old boom it stay there as i have full batons on my main

they say it quicker to put up a new main if you blow one out on your trip that all
does it make a different to wind or hull speed no
it like eggs
scrambled or poached both are nice eggs to eat

Hi Sean.
The captive foot of the 563 mainsail is more for roller reef furling. I have the option of both on my main having a bolt rope sewn along the foot but the sail is actually cut to be loose footed and that's what I use.
There are many pro's and con's,, these are a couple I keep in mind.
Loose footed mains often provide a better sail shape and better ability to control draft with the out haul tension.
Captive foot mains are better for roller reefing and also tend to keep air flow moving toward the leech and not spilling off the foot.
Just because i use mine loose footed doesn't stop me from furling it on the boom.

Steve

Hi Sean,
My investigator mainsail has a bolt rope in the foot and is furled by wrapping it around the boom. I have three bolt-holes in the leach to help me do that. There is no outhaul or cunningham and so the only stretching is with the halyard and the gooseneck position. It is practically impossible to flatten or adjust this sail except by reefing. I do have a boom-vang which helps off the wind. The mainsheet goes from the end of the boom to a rope horse on the stern. It is a very relaxing sail to use because there isn't a lot you can do with it. The mast isn't bendy so the backstay only puts a bit more tension in the luff of the jib. A well-made main with a captured foot is a good average for the cruising sailor, it responds to mainsheet adjustment and this needn't be a technically or physically demanding operation.

The boat I crew on each week for racing has a fully battened loose-footed main on a bendy mast and has all the usual methods to pull the sail in a variety of directions: cunningham, boom-vang, out haul, backstay tension, jiffy reefing, mainsheet and traveller. All of these lines lead back to the cockpit. I am the main sail trimmer and I work those lines hard. The result is you can really get good results and bugger it up terribly with sail trim. But it's racing and that's part of the fun.

I guess the answer comes down to what do you want from your sailing. Answer that, and you'll know which type of sail is right for you. I hope this helps.

Regards,