Telltales: installation questions

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newsailor72

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Jul 20, 2011
125
1974 Macgregor 22 SoCal - dry storage
my main has no telltales at all and my jib has only one on each side. did some googling, looks like for the main I need 3 (one on each batten pocket at the leech). For the jib, maybe 6 on each side? 3 near the luff from top to bottom and 3 in the middle (between luff and leech), also from top to bottom. is this right? thanks.
 
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RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Here ya go

A minimum tell tale set up can be found in Don Guilettes: Sail Trim Users Guide - http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?51999/Sail Trim Chart and Sail Trim Guide


A more advanced set up of a FULL set of tell tales:



.... where all the 'numbers' (1 through 14 & "T") are tell tale positions (each side). Putting leech tell tales AT/ON the leech is 'less precise' but for 'general' sailing needs are quite OK.
 
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Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Re: telltales installation questions

tell tails are very effective, informative and cheap. Rich covered where in the previous post. When you have a jib of more than 100% a set on the shrouds is also handy to "read the slot"
I'd caution against yarns as they tend to get snagged on the sail and don't work well. The colors are not that important as you can generally tell which side you are looking at. I have found that VHS cassette tape is both visible and does not snag.
if this is your first time using them then install all of them while you are at it but start out making the luft ones on the jib and the leach ones on the main as your primary clues as to how to trim. Once you get those working correctly you can practice tweaking the trim using the others..
Also, you will have to discover how to view them as the helm position will not normally allow you to see the jib and a Bimini without a window is a hindrance.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,120
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Re: telltales installation questions

With all due respect to Rich and Arvel Gentry......K.I.S.S. You can purchase premade telltale sets by Ronstan or Davis Instruments that include instructions. You don't need a myriad of ribbons streaming from your sails to tell you if you're going faster after an adjustment.... watch the speedo.

Simple, that's what I like http://www.jasperandbailey.com/tech/news.html

Headsail luff and mainsail leech, perhaps a pair midway on the mainsail.... elementary, Mr. Watson. Front door, back door...etc.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,375
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Re: telltales installation questions

VHS/Cassette tape is low tech - but they will fly in the slightest of zephyr. We used them on the shrouds while sailing Ensigns and they were very useful. One tape is a lifetime supply.
I still do like that Ranger 23!
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,808
Ericson 29 Southport..
Re: telltales installation questions

Shoot, I just stick a tell-tale on the shrouds. I also use it to keep from looking at the accursed wind vane. EVERY time I look up there, I get a "sun shot", that blinds me for ten minutes.
 
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Ray Bowles

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Oct 6, 2008
857
Hunter, Island Packet, Catalina, San Juan 26,38,22,23 Kettle Falls, Washington
If you are just learning to sail or maybe you want to get all the performance possible out of your sails then tell-tails are the best tool to use. There are some very good posts above on where to mount the tell-tails. I've found that all sails need 3 sets of tails. Top, middle and bottom. The main additionally really need 3 on the leech. I mount one near each batten pocket. Just about 2 inches above or below the pocket so the wind off the pocket itself does'nt affect it.

Then you should get a good book on sail trim and spend a winter reading it so you understand what controls shape the sails. Using tell-tails will make you a much better sailor if that is your goal. I love getting every possible tenth of a knot out of a sailboat on the days I chose to race other sailors. I will use every skill I have and tell-tails are the cheapest speed trick you will learn. There are also days that I don't give a darn about racing and those are the days the tell-tails might hang limp. It's always your choice how you will sail.
Enjoy the water, Ray
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,120
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
shemandr said:
VHS/Cassette tape is low tech - but they will fly in the slightest of zephyr. We used them on the shrouds while sailing Ensigns and they were very useful. One tape is a lifetime supply.
I still do like that Ranger 23!
Click to expand
Putting wind indicators on shrouds is nice because they can be easily seen without taking your eyes from the jib telltales, but they are NOT a substitute for telltales on your sails.... all they do is give you some apparent wind direction info on the windward side, and none on the leeward..... I've used these Davis Wind-tels for years..... removing them when not sailing will insure long life, and you can purchase replacement vanes.

http://www.apsltd.com/gallerypopup.aspx?GalleryID=868

Here are a selection of commercially made telltales for luff and leech. The all include installation directions and instructions for their use when sailing.

http://www.apsltd.com/c-4717-telltalessail.aspx
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,808
Ericson 29 Southport..
No, this was just in response to hanging tape, and tell-tales on the shrouds. It is just another use for them..
 
Rich (P303)

Rich (P303)

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Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
Very useful if your racing. If not... who cares. Just get both sides streaming back.
 
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