Tests For proper Amount Of Twist

[Don Guillette]

I had an interesting conversation with a Aussie sailor today. I love those folks and the mates from New Zealand as well. Not sure which country I like best? One of the best cruise's I've ever taken was to their islands. I really didn't want to talk about sail trim but about our cruise. I'd love to go back if I could figure out a way to avoid the 18 hour flight, not counting the flight time from Tucson to LA and the layover!!

Anyway, I suggested 3 ways -- one good way and two quick ways.

How do you guys know how much twist is correct for YOUR boat when sailing closehauled in say 8 knots of wind?

 

[Oliverhg]

I watch for the three tell tales streaming back.

Like to know what the other ways are.

Oliver....

 

[25yearslater]

Wouldn't know what 8 knots looks like this year. It's been 15+ or nothing. I have been easing the vang until the top of the main has the batten at an angle greater than the boom and sometimes the top 2 battens. Upper telltales stream forward. I slide the fairlead aft until the top telltale(s) are lifting on windward side. Heeling is reduced and performance doesn't seem to be affected. Still making 6+ knots on a close reach.

 

[Rick D]

Well, if sailing closehauled, I set the mainsheet so that the top telltail (top of four battens) is just flicking & the other three streaming. The genny is set by the (adjustable) car so that the bottom and top are streaming back on both sides. I might slightly overtrim in flat seas and more open in sloppy ones. Anyhow, that's from a bunch of trial and error plus way too many sail trim books and a really nice guide by a guy named Don....

 

[trevor clarke]

trevor Clarke from australia i think telll tails are the only way of talking to us about what is happening up there personally i take note of the tell tales on the luff they need to be streaming straight back giving an even flow over the back of the sail this is most important if some on the upper part are curling back work on flattening it until they are streaming straight back think of it as if they are turbulant you have drag

 

[Scotty C-M]

I would think that the upper batten should be parallel to the boom in this light wind.??. I get the tell-tails, although my main dosen't have them. So, what is the third way? Here's a guess: that the belly of the mainsail makes an even slot to the belly of the jib? Thanks for posing the question, Don.