Fitting Tell-Tales on the main

[gunman]

After reading the topic on here about sail trimming making such a difference and spending saturday sailing but thinking I should be making better progress, I have looked at fitting tell-tales on the main. I should say that I have only a short seasons sailing under my belt and as such would class mysef a beginner.

I have done some reading and there are 2 schools of thought (aren't there always), one is you only need tales on the leech and the other says you should have them mid sail as well.

I fully expect to get (at least) the same 2 opinions from the guys on here but would be interested in your views.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

It's the luff of the headsail and the leach of the mainsail that count. So that's where telltales usually are.

 

[Juniperskip]

It's the luff of the headsail and the leach of the mainsail that count. So that's where telltales usually are.

+1

Try working on the shape of the main by imagining the middle of the sail should replicate the shape of a wing upper surface ie a smooth curve then use your leech telltales to to make sure the air is flowing smoothly over the surface ie the telltales stream. Some very good books on sail trim around - best one for me is by North sails....

 

[Searush]

Use a bit of darning wool in a big-eyed needle, only takes a second, Put them between the battens on the leach. It's so cheap & easy you could cover the whole sail if you don't mind the drag & looking like a line dancer in a wind tunnel.

 

[flaming]

Use a bit of darning wool in a big-eyed needle, only takes a second, Put them between the battens on the leach. It's so cheap & easy you could cover the whole sail if you don't mind the drag & looking like a line dancer in a wind tunnel.

I don't think they'd be that easy to see. Normally wool telltales are used on the jib, as they have a nice background to view them against. Mainsail leach telltales are normally ribbon, as that's easier to see against the sky.

 

[neil_s]

I have found that one tell-tale on the mainsail is enough. It should be on the leach at the top batten. I have found dark coloured wool to be best, but it's not that easy to get hold of. Sheet in until it starts stalling!

Neil

 

[Searush]

I don't think they'd be that easy to see. Normally wool telltales are used on the jib, as they have a nice background to view them against. Mainsail leach telltales are normally ribbon, as that's easier to see against the sky.

S'Funny, I can see mine OK - err, when I'm on the boat that is. They're dark & stand out quite well against the sky or sail which are usually light.

 

[gunman]

I must admit that I have fitted tell tales to the main now but won't get a chance to test until next weekend. I fitted strips of ribbon (looks like spinny material) which stick on. I fitted 4, one to the end of each batten pocket along the leech. I was just wondering if mid sail tell tales would be worth fitting, seems not.

I'm afraid my novice thoughts were leading me to beleive that sheeting in would increase speed, so if I was getting poor performance that's what I did.

I will be spending next week with the boat so it should give opportunity to 'experiment' with sail trim

Thanks all for the advice.