Adjustable Fairleads

[Don Guillette]

I don't think Alan was sugessting that it is necessary to adjust the fairleads every few seconds but that does bring a question to mind.What sail trim indicator on the boat will tell you INSTANTLY that a sail trim adjustment is necessary for the jib and mainsail? What else will this indicator tell you?These answers should be on the tip of your tongue!!

 

[novelman17128]

Indicators

I use my GPS speed indicator. But I could use the way the sail sets, especially the jib.Novelman

 

[Tom s/v GAIA]

The telltails on the main.

nm.

 

[Tom Spohn]

Telltales

and streamers.

 

[Rick Macdonald]

Telltails also...

The telltails also tell you which _way_ to adjust, either by steering of adjusting the sheets, depending on which side is not streaming nicely: windward or leeward. Move the tiller or the sail (the boom for the main) towards the side that is not streaming to make the correction.

 

[Don Guillette]

Adjustment indicators

The answer is the TELLTALES.Telltales are ABSOLUTELY the most important trim indicator on the boat. Nothing approaches their sensitivity and effectiveness. They are located along the leech of the mainsail and the luff of the jib.Telltales are the PRIMARY system of checks and balances for the mainsail and jib. Sadly a majority of sailors do not have telltales attached to their sail. How they trim their sails is beyond me as I have a hard time doing it without them and I know what I'm looking for. Another problem is that a lot of sailors who have telltales attached to their sails don't know how to read them.I feel so strongly about telltales that I devote about 7 pages in my book to them. Most mainsail and jib trimmers just try to get them flying but did you know there are 5 modes they should be looking at? If you are a middle to back of the pack racer or just a cruiser that wants to get to Catalina Island ahead of his sailing buddy you or you trimmers must know how to read and know what adjustment the telltales are telling you to make. If your a racer and your crew can't read them your wasting your time if your intention is to move up in position.You won't believe how simple I have made the subject of telltales in my book for you.Does anyone have any questions about jib or mainsail telltales?