How Is the Foot of Your Mainsail Attached to Boom ?

[Scare_Rab]

This vessel has not been sailed for many years: 32' mast-head sloop

every rope and spar was off her.


The main sail has a rope sewn into the foot, that is slid forward from the aft end of boom into a corresponding slot in the top edge of the boom.
the rope traps the sail in the slot on the boom

I've done this, it sits nicely.

? the foot of the mainsail also has a row of eyelets, an inch up from the bottom-rope, 6 inches apart.

One bloke tells me this is so that a rope can be threaded in a spiral from one end, around the boom, back thru the next eyelet etc...

in effect, 'sewing' the main to the boom.

Hmmmm:

Is this necessary?

How much "Pull upward" is there?

how many people on the forum (who have mainsails "bottom_rope_fed_into_a_slot_on_Boom") ALSO 'sew' these mains to the boom?

?

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Scare_Rab

? the foot of the mainsail also has a row of eyelets, an inch up from the bottom-rope, 6 inches apart.

It seems the sail was set up for both a footrope or boom slugs. Most likely boom slugs.

[Albro359]

The foot of the main has almost no force on it in any direction other than then luff to leach which controls the shape of the bottom of the sail draft...ie the outhaul..thats why most modern boats have loose footed mains...you can trim the sail better that way ..there;s no bag in the foot
there is no reason to have the foot of the sail attached to the boom other than at the gooseneck and at the outhaul ..

[Blue Stocking]

Depending on how the boat was used, could be a few possibilities. One could be "belt and Braces" approach, and the eyelets used to rig tie lines around the boom for extra reinforcing.
Another could be, if the eyelets are in a curved line, with the center highest, a form of sail shaping used to change the flattening of the sail for racing. Back in the "1 tonner" days, this was done with a zipper.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Albro359

there is no reason to have the foot of the sail attached to the boom other than at the gooseneck and at the outhaul ..

But you would need a strong outhaul, and a topping lift or a spring/hyd. loaded boom vang to keep the boom from drooping. Or, a strap or car at the clew of the sail to carry the boom.
I use all three.