TELLTALES ON SHROUDS

[GORDON]

An earlier topic covered telltales on the sails and you mentioned quickly about telltales on the shrouds and on the back stay. Cn you more specific as to where to attach them on the shroud relative to distance off the dek and what should the telltale look like, flying straight aft? Thanks.

 

[Tom s/v GAIA]

High enough to be out of your way

and low enough to be easily seen. They are not used to trim the sails, they only tell you which direction the wind is from. (easier on the neck then looking at the mast head.)Tom s/v GAIA

 

[Dan McGuire]

Carry a Roll of Surveyor's Tape

I carry a roll of orange surveyor's tape. There must be a jillion feet of tape on a roll. Many hardware stores sell it. I just tear off the old one when trailering so I don't litter.

 

[Bob]

I use

old cassette tape. It is less substantial than yarn or surveyor's tape so it's handy in light air (which is what I seem to be stuck with).

 

[Tom Monroe]

2nd on the casette tape, and ...

I'll 2nd the casette tape. Doesn't hang up like yarn. Those shroud telltales are immensely useful. Wind shifts can stall you headsail telltails, and a quick galnce at the shrouds tells you what way to go. Easy to see where the wind is undocking.Very useful tacking downwind. When the wind is shifty, I'll trim the sails and then "sail the telltales" on the shrouds. (Cruising, of course.)Etc.Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake