TEACHING STUDENTS TO SAIL


Telltales Wind indicators, such as yarn or nylon strips, that are attached to the luff, leech, and standing rigging are called “telltales.” They are useful tools to guide sailor’s to proper sail trim. Generally, telltales are attached in three places on the jib: 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of the way up the luff approximately 6”-8” back from the most forward edge of the luff. There should be one near the top of the jib of the jib on the leech. Another common place for telltales is on the leech of the mainsail up near the top batten and possibly at the second batten from the top. If the sailboat only has a mainsail, place telltales generally 1/4 of the way up the luff and about 12”-15” back from the luff edge of the sail.


Using Luff Telltales When trimming the jib or mainsail on any point of sail other than close-hauled: E Continually ease the sail(s) until the inside (windward) telltale starts to lift or bounce around.


E Then trim in until the telltale flies straight along the sail. E Then repeat.


If the back (leeward) telltale ever droops or lifts: E Ease until the telltale flies straight along the sail.


One rule of thumb is to have the telltales flow in a sideways “V” pattern with the leeward telltale parallel to the deck and the windward telltale lifting up into a “V.”


Jib Trimmed Too Tight


Jib Trimmed Just Right


Jib Trimmed Too Lose


Inside Telltale Lifting


Both Telltales Flying Straight


Outside Telltale Lifting


Table of Contents


49


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152