Tell Tales, not working!

C

corbu

Active Member
Joined
24 Jul 2014
Messages
67
Visit site
Guys, I am looking for some advice on adding tell tales to my Genoa.

I bought some red and green wool along with some sticky circles. Placed them in the recommend locations and went out to practice my sail trimming techniques.

But, they seem to either stay resolutely stuck to the sail if at all damp or get caught up in the stitching of nearby seams.

I realise my first mistake, placing them too close to seams. But wondered if anyone could recommend a kit or even what type of wool to use to ensure success?

Thanks
 
I think you have solved your problem by using wool. I'm sure telltale kits can be purchased quite cheaply.
 
corbu said:
Guys, I am looking for some advice on adding tell tales to my Genoa.

I bought some red and green wool along with some sticky circles. Placed them in the recommend locations and went out to practice my sail trimming techniques.

But, they seem to either stay resolutely stuck to the sail if at all damp or get caught up in the stitching of nearby seams.

I realise my first mistake, placing them too close to seams. But wondered if anyone could recommend a kit or even what type of wool to use to ensure success?

Thanks
Click to expand...
wool + sailmakers needle is a cheap way to do it. pass the needle through the sail & knot the wool either side of the sail
 
I prefer strips (about 1cm wide) of old lightweight spinnaker nylon. Doesn't catch or stick so easily as wool.
 
Stick some spinnaker repair tape over the stitching or move the tel-tales to the middle of a panel. If you have a roller-reefing headsail you will need to add more further back for when you have a few rolls in. Once you have got the hang of them you will wonder how you ever managed without!
 
Thanks, some good tips there, along with another use for dry silicone lubricant that I didn't know of! I think i'll re-position them, try the lube and install a second set for the partially furled sail. If that doesn't work, I'll try the spinnaker nylon approach.

Now if I can just remember that "If the top telltales flutter before the bottom, the sail is twisted too much. Move the lead forward to pull down on the clew, increase leech tension and reduce twist. If the bottom telltales luff first (or the top ones stall), the sail needs more twist. Move the lead aft to relax leech tension". I'll know that I am getting somewhere!

Cheers.
 
LadyInBed said:
Good idea :encouragement:
Click to expand...

Terrible idea.

Using this was all the rage when you could find unlimited amounts in every roadside headgerow, but its popularity only lasted until the first shower of rain or until the bow wave spray hit the headsail. It would then become 'stuck' to the sailcloth and refuse to work. You can find the same with strips of spinnaker nylon. Obviously the more 'shiny' your sail cloth, the more these telltales will stick.

Wool is used because it works. If you're having problems with the stitching in seams close by, you can cut a semi circle of Insignia Cloth (with the radius equal to the length of your telltales) and stick these at the telltale position.
 
Last edited:
Hi VicS

Yes thats right Audio cassette size, about 6" stuck on with a small piece of adhesive sail repair tape.

I found that wollies wear out quickly the tape lasts a year.

We have several hundred years of stock left over by teanage daughters.

Regards


This is also the source of CDs and DVDs used to scare the birds.


VicS said:
Audio cassette tape perhaps ?

CDs and DVDs dont work though!
Click to expand...
 
If you use red and green wool or red and green strips of spinnaker cloth it helps to identify which tack you are on etc

saves painting "port" and "starboard" on the boom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top