Two years ago I got a set of light air sails from National... a 155 cut to go with a pendant (extension cable) to get it to clear the pulpit. It has a great shape and I would recommend that approach as you can see under it. I also got a full batten main of lighter material from them that shapes great in "no air".
My question is regarding a loose footed main.
I just got the heavy air jib from Dirk and it is truly a work of art... extremely well made (pics to follow) I have been using it in conjunction with the original Johnson main because I don't want to blow out my new full batten "light air" main. ( also don't want to roll it or reef it if I don't have to )
Today I went out in pretty heavy conditions, which wasn't any problem for the 60% jib and main rolled up to about nine feet of luff. However when I was pulling the leech of the sail back to flatten it on the boom, the rear seam tore and I realized that the 19 year old sail has seen its best days... time for a new heavier mainsail.
I'm thinking of a loose footed heavier material with 3 reef points. Is anyone here using a loose footed main? It would seem like you would have more shape control. Do you have a center cringle at the bottom like when reefed? Also on this rig, I'm thinking of not going with battens. What do you all think?
Thanks in advance
Dale