Are loose footed sails more powerful?

   It's a rule thing for N12s.

N12 rules don't actually measure the foot of the sail - only the black band measurement, so you get a really full sail ( for the offwind stuff ) but it can only go out on the boom so far ( with a stop ), so then you pull fwd on the tack to flatten it. Loose foot sails can cope with this big change in fullness and length better.

The plan is to get as much power as possible downwind, whilst still getting just flat enough for upwind.

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I luv Wight Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 28 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 628	Post Options Post Reply Quote I luv Wight Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Are loose footed sails more powerful? Posted: 17 May 06 at 10:29pm
	It's a rule thing for N12s. N12 rules don't actually measure the foot of the sail - only the black band measurement, so you get a really full sail ( for the offwind stuff ) but it can only go out on the boom so far ( with a stop ), so then you pull fwd on the tack to flatten it. Loose foot sails can cope with this big change in fullness and length better. The plan is to get as much power as possible downwind, whilst still getting just flat enough for upwind.