What material to use for Main Telltails

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Steve

Believe it or not, my new (to me), used, boat does not have any telltails on the main. I've read in a sail trim book to use spinnaker cloth. I don't have access to spinnaker cloth, and I'm not about to carve up the spinnaker :) So, what is a good, readily available material (i.e., you don't have to have a sail loft in your area ) to use for main telltails. And how do I fasten them on to the main, sew them on? Thanks for your help. Steve
 
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web

Telltales

Very light ripstop nylon, available at most fabric stores makes a good telltale material. Acryilic (not wool) yarn works, too. Then go to staples and buy some clear contact paper. Cut out little disks about the size of a half-dollar, and use them to stick the things on. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
 
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Paul Akers

Check catalogs/online stores

Check the major catalogs (westmarine, boatus, boatersworld,defenderusa, etc). I'm sure that they will have some.
 
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Mark

Ready Made Tell Tails

As Paul said check West Marine Etc. for the ready made telltails. There are other companies that cater to racing and I know they have them. There are two basic varities, yarn and ripstop. yarn is real good on the jib and has less tendancy to stick to the sail when it is raining (but they will stick). Ripstop nylon is almost universially used along the leach of the main. All the packages come with adhesive cloth circles with which to attach the telltail to the sail. Check the length of the telltails, the ones I bought were almost 7-8" long (too long you only need about 3-4") so you can cut them in have and also cut the adhesive circles in half and you have twice the number of telltails.
 
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Don Guillette

Steve: trot down to West Marine or Boats/US and get a package of telltails for about $6.They are easy to apply as they stick on and directions for attachment are included. They'll only last a season or so.
 
Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
Survey flagging for main telltales

Go down toyour local building supply or equipment rental store and buy a roll of plastic survey flagging. It is strong but can be torn off by hand, light, easy to see (comes in lots of high visibility colors) flies well even in very light air or rain, is easy to attach (I tie mine to the aft ends of the battens, inside the pocket), it lasts a long time and it's CHEAP. A roll (1000 feet?) costs about a buck. At that rate you can put new telltales on every time you went out. Peter H23 "Raven"
 
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Barry

steve's telltales

Steve Email me. I'm from Kingston teachgov1@aol.com look forward to hearing from you
 
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