tell tales

[bimini blue]

so just a discussion point
I notice very few boats with telltales on the uppers, as well as on the headsail

maybe I am old school but they keep my head out of the boat and give me the information I need

I have the latest with g wind etc and that definitely shows me the trimming results in terms of speed

thoughts from the community?

[Sailmonkey]

We have no wind instruments, and I can tell when we’ve got people aboard who keep their head in the boat looking at a wi d instrument

[Tayana42]

I have telltales on the yankee and staysail along with telltales on the mainsail leech. Seems enough for a humble cruiser. Oh yes, and I have my cheeks (face) turned into the breeze. Doesn’t help much with sail twist but I get by.

[Dave_S]

Love them, you can see the sail working (or not) and what changes to make. Although I notice that I naturally tune into the wind and the sound of the water exiting the back of the boat to gauge the reaction to change more than other senses. So maybe with more experience they will become less important ?

Someone needs to make a downwind tell tail ��

[thomm225]

Remember though, it all depends on the placement of the telltales and your boat. (plus weight distribution and prebend settings)

On one of my racing beach cats when the wind was near 15 knots, the boat performed the best, as in sailing close to the wind while maintaining speed going to windward, with the tell tales pointing near straight up on the jib. (I would be tramped out forward of the main forward beam)

This was determined by me racing against a fleet of maybe 30 other boats most of which were rated faster.

I wasn't a lone cruiser thinking I has sailed really close to the wind all alone out in the ocean and becoming a legend in my own mind

The point is, it's trail and error to find the sweet spot on each boat

[bimini blue]

thanks for the responses, I too have them on the leech of main, helps with balancing mainsheet and vang

also, with two sets on the jib you can easily figure out the most effective lead position, if they break together you got it!

again thanks to all

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by bimini blue

thanks for the responses, I too have them on the leech of main, helps with balancing mainsheet and vang

also, with two sets on the jib you can easily figure out the most effective lead position, if they break together you got it!

again thanks to all

In really light air, use the upper set on the jib if you aren't motoring