tell tales

[Leif]

I am looking for some advice on tell tales On the Genny (135%) and driving. I am looking for opinions on the best way to drive when racing. I have sailed on some J boats where the windward tell tale is kept flying at 45 deg.above the leward telltale. This gives better pointing but slower speeds. I will never be able to out point alot of boats. Would it be far better to sail the longer course for more speed by trying to keep the tell tales even on boat sides?

 

[Joe Barrett]

Telltales

In a race I think it depends on tactics and overall strategy. In my last boat an O'day 272 I never won a race until I learned to "push" the boat up to the wind. Sailing flat seems nice but you loose lots of distance to windward. It also depends on wind strength. In moderate to heavy air it is easy to keep the inside telltale in that speed mode of 45 degrees. However in light air it would hurt boat speed too much and I would only sail that high if tactics demanded it! I have never sailed a Kalik 33 so you'll have to experiment with your GPS and knotmeter but overall push the boat UP to the wind. Sailing flat will land you in last place, look for opportunities (lifts) to head windward!