Seems in lighter air (4 - 10 kts) while close hauled or close reaching I can't get my windward telltales to stream back. Leeward telltales do stream back. In heavier winds (10 - 15) or beam reaching I can get them to flow nicely. I have experimented with moving the cars forward and aft to no avail. I typically have the cars about 3/5 of the way up on the track. This is a big 150 genoa and I'm using the inboard tracks. Any thoughts?
genoa telltales question
- Thread starter Pat T
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Probably happening because of the shape of the luff.
Cross-cut (all fabric panels are parallel to one another) cruising sails are designed with a 'rounded' luff entry shape, so that the sail can be sailed at a wide variation in the 'angle of attack' and with reduced 'luffing' potential ... this makes the sail very 'forgiving' for the helmsman.
To get the luff shape more flat-ish, so that the windward luff tell tales are more directly in the actual flow stream .... REDUCE the halyard tension to the barest minimum. Tightening the halyard will cause the luff to become more 'rounded' (and the draft to go more forward); Slacking the halyard will cause the luff shape to become more flat - very good shape for 'light' winds. Of course as the wind builds in strength you will have to readjust the halyard tension.
Cross-cut (all fabric panels are parallel to one another) cruising sails are designed with a 'rounded' luff entry shape, so that the sail can be sailed at a wide variation in the 'angle of attack' and with reduced 'luffing' potential ... this makes the sail very 'forgiving' for the helmsman.
To get the luff shape more flat-ish, so that the windward luff tell tales are more directly in the actual flow stream .... REDUCE the halyard tension to the barest minimum. Tightening the halyard will cause the luff to become more 'rounded' (and the draft to go more forward); Slacking the halyard will cause the luff shape to become more flat - very good shape for 'light' winds. Of course as the wind builds in strength you will have to readjust the halyard tension.
Use the outboard tracks....... that's why they call them genoa tracks. Or you can barber haul the clews outboard. The inboard tracks typically are set up for flatter, smaller upwind sails. Your big genny needs a wider sheeting angle than the inside track allows. With the genoa track you won't be able to point quite as high but you will find it much easier to get the rig balanced, making the headsail more effecient.
In light air you might find using a smaller, flatter headsail will be easier to keep the air flow attached that the big ass genoa.... I have found the 110 blade on my boat quite effective in 5-8 kts.... I also have a tall staysail, 3 ounce with wire luff, that seems to be work better in very light air than my 150. I tack it to the bow stem and let the luff fall off a bit... the sail's narrow, high aspect profile insures good attachment in even the lightest conditions.....
So...... using the inside track in light air with the big sail is counter productive.... try rolling it up a bit and moving to the outside leads..... I think you'll see an improvement. Have Fun.
In light air you might find using a smaller, flatter headsail will be easier to keep the air flow attached that the big ass genoa.... I have found the 110 blade on my boat quite effective in 5-8 kts.... I also have a tall staysail, 3 ounce with wire luff, that seems to be work better in very light air than my 150. I tack it to the bow stem and let the luff fall off a bit... the sail's narrow, high aspect profile insures good attachment in even the lightest conditions.....
So...... using the inside track in light air with the big sail is counter productive.... try rolling it up a bit and moving to the outside leads..... I think you'll see an improvement. Have Fun.
Re: Genoa telltales
Thanks Rich and Joe. I moved to the outboad leads and put some slack in the halyard (slight wrinkles). I am now seeing the top 2 telltales streaming and the bottom one is almost there, lifting slightly. I am thinking about putting some more slack in the forestay next by adjusting (loosening) the split back stay. Hard to determine how much tension is needed here , every year the back stay is disconnected during haul out. I just try sighting up the mast to get a slight bend but maybe I have a little too much tension this year. Do you agree? How do you know how much tension is correct in the forestay?
Thanks Rich and Joe. I moved to the outboad leads and put some slack in the halyard (slight wrinkles). I am now seeing the top 2 telltales streaming and the bottom one is almost there, lifting slightly. I am thinking about putting some more slack in the forestay next by adjusting (loosening) the split back stay. Hard to determine how much tension is needed here , every year the back stay is disconnected during haul out. I just try sighting up the mast to get a slight bend but maybe I have a little too much tension this year. Do you agree? How do you know how much tension is correct in the forestay?
Now that you have your telltales flowing... you can use them to adjust you jiblead position, steer the boat, etc. Heres' some help: http://www.jasperandbailey.com/tech/news.html
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