Old Cat brought up two points on the thread concerning "Traveler & Genoas" and I didn't want them lost in that discussion so I'll discuss them here.
He has a pin type telltale adjustment system. This system is a pain to adjust and it gets worse on bigger boats. Normally, a mate has to step on the line in order to move the pin and because it is a pain sailors will do what is easy and not what is hard. The result is the fairleads remain stationary. Old Cat suggests adjusting the lazy fairlead and tacking, which is a very good solution and will solve the problem. There is only one problem that all beginners have and that is which way to move the fairlead - forward or aft? Old Cat knows which way to go but a beginner probably doesn't. Here's a simple way to get it right every time. Watch the jib through the tack. Just before the jib goes head to wind, the sail will break. If the foot flutters or the bottom telltale breaks first - move the fairlead AFT. If the leech flutters, the top luffs or the top telltale breaks first - move the fairlead FORWARD. Pretty simple, right!! The next question is how many holes do you go? Start with one. On the next tack, if the sail breaks evenly you're right on. If not just keeping fooling with it.
Next, he brought up the subject of telltales "flipping". What he is talking about is after you get your telltales streaming you can squeeze a little more out of the sail by pushing it so the top telltale FLIP about once every 3 seconds. When that happens you are at the highest point on the lift/drag curve but if you can't get your telltales to react that way I would just forget about it. With your telltales streaming you're almost there anyway.
Lastly, there is no difference between racing trim and cruising trim - there is only a right way and a wrong way to trim your sails. You know who told me that - Dennis Conner.
He has a pin type telltale adjustment system. This system is a pain to adjust and it gets worse on bigger boats. Normally, a mate has to step on the line in order to move the pin and because it is a pain sailors will do what is easy and not what is hard. The result is the fairleads remain stationary. Old Cat suggests adjusting the lazy fairlead and tacking, which is a very good solution and will solve the problem. There is only one problem that all beginners have and that is which way to move the fairlead - forward or aft? Old Cat knows which way to go but a beginner probably doesn't. Here's a simple way to get it right every time. Watch the jib through the tack. Just before the jib goes head to wind, the sail will break. If the foot flutters or the bottom telltale breaks first - move the fairlead AFT. If the leech flutters, the top luffs or the top telltale breaks first - move the fairlead FORWARD. Pretty simple, right!! The next question is how many holes do you go? Start with one. On the next tack, if the sail breaks evenly you're right on. If not just keeping fooling with it.
Next, he brought up the subject of telltales "flipping". What he is talking about is after you get your telltales streaming you can squeeze a little more out of the sail by pushing it so the top telltale FLIP about once every 3 seconds. When that happens you are at the highest point on the lift/drag curve but if you can't get your telltales to react that way I would just forget about it. With your telltales streaming you're almost there anyway.
Lastly, there is no difference between racing trim and cruising trim - there is only a right way and a wrong way to trim your sails. You know who told me that - Dennis Conner.