I got a new mainsail this year too. Two full battens at the top, and two shorter ones in the lower half of the sail. It is also loose footed. I run the outhaul from the clew through the boom back to a winch at the companion way. It is one of the few lines that I lead aft (halyards, reefing and such is all done at the mast). You really can adjust and fine-tune the draft of the sail with the outhaul. Flat upwind or in a strong breeze, some slack when reaching or in light air, and more slack downwind. You need to play with it to find the right spot under different circumstances. Another line that I have led aft is the Cunningham control line. That allows you to tighten the luff and flatten the sail more when sailing upwind in a breeze.

Lazy jacks I only deploy before lowering the sail. Then I tie them off close to the gooseneck. No need to let them hang loose while under sail. And I think they are a pain when raising sail.

It is really amazing what a new main can do. My 11 year old sail was configured the same as this new one, but probably never had as good a shape and had become quite baggy in recent years. I now get more speed, and I can carry the full main longer and need to reef later than with the old rag.

Has it warmed up in Maine yet? I'm making my way north from the Chesapeake Bay after the 4th.

Thierry