Placement of Tell Tails

[timnphx]

Hello,

I am new at the sailing bit and in part still constructing my small mainsail, jib, and rigging for my 13ft row/sailboat. I have sewn up my main and jib but have a pack of tell tails that came with my sail kits from Sailrite. The tell tails being the red or green strips of ripstock look easy enough to install, but my problem is where should they be placed as the pack has little or no instructions. Does anyone have nay suggestions as to how they go? Do they only go on a Jib or are they used on a main as well?

Tim

[Ken_Potts]

Hi Tim,

There was a recent thread that might help you...

http://www.messing-about.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4656

If you include more details here about the particular sail I think somebody will offer some specific suggestions.

(I'd offer something but I'd do more harm than good) :wink:

[PAR]

The info sheet that comes with most tell tail kits is a very valuable sail trimming aid. It's worth getting one with the cheat sheet enclosed. Each sail will react differently, a fuller cut or a well worn sail will need them closer to the luff then a flatter or newer sail, which will want them farther aft. Generally about 8 to 12 inches behind the luff is going to cut it. You can put them on the leach, but they don't tell as much as other methods, such as a couple of draft stripes. To position them along the luff you fold the sail in half along the luff and place a set there, then fold the sail again and place two more sets. This gets them located at the 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 position along the luff, where they'll be most useful.

On a flat cut sail, like a modern Bermudian mainsail, the windward tell (curved side of the sail) will just be trying to dance (flutter) when close hauled and "in the groove". On a fuller cut sail, like many gaffers, you'll want the all the tells streaming aft, when hard on the wind.

If you need to trim (pull in the sheet) the windward tell will flutter. If you are over trimmed (sailing too low) the leeward tell (facing you) will flutter.

You can also adjust sheet leads with the tells.