Telltail placement

[Bob Rutland]

Where should telltails be placed on the main and on the jib? Thanks, Bob

 

[Julian Sandford]

Tell-tales

On main you need streamers from the leech as the air exiting the sail is important. 5 or 6 is good as you can tell if they are all streaming at the same angle and adjust leech tension ( by sheet tension) to ensure they all are.The jib needs 2-3 at fullest point, in horizontal line, 2 more equidistant about 1/4 in from luff above these. You are trying to tell the airflow at the drive points of the sail. Again adjust your sheeting angle to make them all fly the same when beating.I just bought a nice 130% genoa from UK sails, and the diffence it makes is great. About 8-10 degrees pointing higher than the standard cruising jib supplied new!Have fun!

 

[Don Guillette]

Bob: On the main, I attach my telltails to the end of the battens. I've have also attached a single set( one on each side) located in the middle of the sail just forward of center. Some guys fell that the mast disturbs the flow on the two center ones but I don't think it really does. I also hang a couple of telltails on the side stays and one on the back stay. Telltails are absolutely the most important sail trim indicator on the boat and I don't understand how guys can trim their sails without them. I certainly can't. On the jib, I split the sail in 1/3 and attach 3 sets about 1' back from the leading edge.Reading these telltails is another matter. Briefy, think of your sail as an airplane wing in a smoke filled wind tunnell and adjust your sail so that the smoke flows evenly on both sides of the sail.