Loose vs fixed main sail

I'm buying a new main for my 1968 Cal 28. I currently have a fix footed main (to the boom with bolt rope) but the sail manufacturer is recommending a loose footed sail. The problem is that I do not have an out-haul on my boom and it does not look like it was ever designed to incorporate one. My question is, can you properly use a loose footed main without a out-haul? Or should I stick with a fix-footed sail? Thanks, Bill

An outhaul is just an adjuster to flatten or add curve to the lower part of the main by pulling or easing the clue. As long as there is some method to hold the clue to the end of the boom, you will be fine. Jim East coast cal 29 sailor On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 2:58 PM, bi… [at] suttonclan.us [Cal_Boats] < Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: > > > I'm buying a new main for my 1968 Cal 28. I currently have a fix footed > main (to the boom with bolt rope) but the sail manufacturer is recommending > a loose footed sail. The problem is that I do not have an out-haul on my > boom and it does not look like it was ever designed to incorporate one. My > question is, can you properly use a loose footed main without a out-haul? > Or should I stick with a fix-footed sail? > > Thanks, > Bill > > > >

Hi, Bill. We’ve used outhauls on both our fixed foot and loose foot mains on Cal 25s (a definite Cal 28 sister ship) for many years. Most Cal 25s are now loose foots (the cut of the sail is the same, but on full foots, they sew on an extra panel – actually costs more). How much distance is there between the clew of the main and the back of the boom on your boat? Need room for a small block. The original Cal 25 booms only had a few inches. We order new booms longer. I can send photos of an external solution for the outhaul. Typically, you would need a 4:1 purchase to make the thing work effectively, but the originals had a 1:1 purchase to a cleat on the main. Gives some adjustment, but can be a PITA. I trust I make myself perfectly obtuse. The other way is to mount rollers at the back of the boom (a special boom end cap) and use an internal rig. I don’t like internal stuff (in boom or mast) since you can’t get to it if it fouls. Take Care Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 2:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Loose vs fixed main sail I'm buying a new main for my 1968 Cal 28. I currently have a fix footed main (to the boom with bolt rope) but the sail manufacturer is recommending a loose footed sail. The problem is that I do not have an out-haul on my boom and it does not look like it was ever designed to incorporate one. My question is, can you properly use a loose footed main without a out-haul? Or should I stick with a fix-footed sail? Thanks, Bill

Bill,You need an outhaul regardless of which mainsail type you go with...An outhaul is a priority before you install another sail. Either mainsail type is fine... Loose-footed will be easier to work with as far as sail adjustments, sail removal, rain running down the sail and not collecting in the pocket between main sail and boom... George Macon To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com; bi… [at] suttonclan.us From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:17:53 -0400 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Loose vs fixed main sail An outhaul is just an adjuster to flatten or add curve to the lower part of the main by pulling or easing the clue. As long as there is some method to hold the clue to the end of the boom, you will be fine. Jim East coast cal 29 sailor On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 2:58 PM, bi… [at] suttonclan.us [Cal_Boats] <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: I'm buying a new main for my 1968 Cal 28. I currently have a fix footed main (to the boom with bolt rope) but the sail manufacturer is recommending a loose footed sail. The problem is that I do not have an out-haul on my boom and it does not look like it was ever designed to incorporate one. My question is, can you properly use a loose footed main without a out-haul? Or should I stick with a fix-footed sail? Thanks,Bill