I have noticed that some boats like a Hobie 16 for instance use a similar system (looks like a rope tied into the sail) along the foot of the main to attach it to the boom as they do to attach the luff to the mast, while others like Prindle 16 and 18 do not actually attach the foot to the boom. Instead they attach the tack of the sail to the mast and the clew of the sail to the boom. This leaves a gap between the foot of the sail and the boom usually from what I've seen.

Can someone please explain the differences in these two systems so I might understand better why it is actually done differently?

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Prindle 18

Texas Gulf Coast
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http://www.fxsails.com/article_loosefoot.php

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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Thanks Ron! Interesting read and answered all my questions.

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Prindle 18

Texas Gulf Coast
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