Speaking of 'Telltales' Need help to find a link

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Flyboy69

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Jul 19, 2011
60
Chaser 29, Oday 23, Port Elgin, Ontario
There was a link here at one time, I think... about trimming sails and steering relative to behaviour of the telltales on both Main and fore sail. Any wizards that can make it reappear or find it for me please???
Thanks!!
 
Don Guillette

Don Guillette

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May 17, 2004
2,111
Other Catalina 30 Tucson, AZ
Flyboy69: Telltales are absolutely the most important sail trim indicator on the boat. No non-electronic devise has been developed that approaches their sensitivity and effectiveness. Sadly, a majority of sailors don't have telltales attached to their sails and many that do have them attached don't understand how to read them. I can't obtain 100% effectiveness without them and I know what I'm looking for!! I devote 7 pages of my book to telltales and also explain what they are telling you and how to adjust them accordingly.

Just google search "telltales" and you'll find more info than you know what to do with!!
 
Don Guillette

Don Guillette

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May 17, 2004
2,111
Other Catalina 30 Tucson, AZ
flyboy69: Thank you and you should also take a look at the SAIL TRIM CHART. The chart gives you the sail trim settings to get you in the ball park (boats are different - but not by much) for all the sail trim controls for the main and jib for all points of sail and wind conditions. The Chart tells you WHAT to do and the book tells you WHY you're making a particular sail trim adjustment. The WHY of sail trim is EVERYTHING, otherwise you're just guessing.
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Don's Sail Trim Guide will provide the basic tell tale placement and usage. Dont leave the dock without this 'guide'. Available here at SBO: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?51998/Sail Trim Users Guide


Once you master 'the basics' of Don's schema, here's a modernization of the usage of tell tales: http://www.arvelgentry.com/Telling_tales.htm
The section on STEERING by tell tales is on page 2 .... that 'chart' is attached below. Also shown in 'photo #2' in http://www.arvelgentry.com/magaz/Checking_Trim_on_the_Wind.pdf

To make the 'steering' tell tales more effective, apply a 'series' of short 4" long tells on each side of the jib about 4-5ft. up from the tack and all in a single horizontal row starting from the luff and running back towards the leech for about 3-4 feet. Once you get all the other tell tales to be near perfectly flowing 'straight back', then simply use the steering tell tales for precise steering.

;-)
 

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