Tell tails - where to attach

   Okay, Perhaps a bit of a numpty question, but looking round the boats at my club they seem to be positioned all over the place.
Assuming that someone who understands aerodynamics has analysed this at some point; Is there an accepted best place that they should be positioned on the Jib and the Main and how many is considered preferable ?  

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Pesmo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pesmo Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Tell tails - where to attach Posted: 24 Sep 07 at 8:21pm
	Okay, Perhaps a bit of a numpty question, but looking round the boats at my club they seem to be positioned all over the place. Assuming that someone who understands aerodynamics has analysed this at some point; Is there an accepted best place that they should be positioned on the Jib and the Main and how many is considered preferable ?

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Sep 07 at 8:28pm
	I would have thought it depends on the boat. However most boats I have sailed have 3 or four sets per sail and are near the front edge of the sail, closer on the jib than the main. Of course you could ask your sailmaker or just copy one of the top boats in your class.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

Strawberry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 21 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1337	Post Options Post Reply Quote Strawberry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Sep 07 at 9:17pm
	I find it best to attach them to the sail.... Edited by Strawberry
	Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry

Mopps Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 25 Jun 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mopps Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Sep 07 at 9:21pm
	i'm definately with stu on this on very useful place to put them x
	I am the boatwhore B14 694

redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Sep 07 at 9:26pm
	Three on the jib is good, at ¼, ½ and ¾ height. Then you can tell if the jib has the right amount of twist - they should all break at about the same time when you luff. They should be well away from the luff and any seams so they can't get hooked on. On the main you'll definitely want one on the leach near the top batten - if its not streaming most of the time you have the top of the sail oversheeted. Have a look at some of the America's Cup Footage - they spend millions on getting them right so are probably worth copying.

m_liddell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 583	Post Options Post Reply Quote m_liddell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Sep 07 at 11:25pm
	I agree, three on the jib at ¼, ½ and ¾. Should be easy to find some pics online that show how far back from the jib luff/forestay. You also want a jib leech telltale at about spreader height. For the main you want 3 (or more for a big main) on the leech, all > 6" from the battern pockets (they mess up the flow). Then in line with each leech telltale, put one 1/3 to half way back from the mast (distance is prob class dependant). Any closer and you risk putting it in the separation bubble behind the mast which is a pointless location for a telltale! It also goes without saying that the leech telltales need to be spinnaker material. Look here for info on reading them http://www.onemetre.net/Race/Telltale/Telltale.htm Most new sails come with telltales attached so find someone in you class with nice new sails and copy the positions. Edited by m_liddell

Pesmo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pesmo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Sep 07 at 7:03am
	Thanks for that very useful indeed. That link to interpreting what they mean is also good info as well.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Sep 07 at 7:23am
	I usually have three in a row in the lowest position on the jib. These are the ones I use for pointing angle, and having three gives me finer control. It takes some time though before you know which one to sail to in which conditions! The higher ones can be single, because all you need them for is to monitor sheeting/slot.

Speed Sails Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 18 Jan 06 Location: Great Britain Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Speed Sails Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 07 at 4:25pm
	As a rough guide, tell tales on the jib should be attached approximately 7 inches back from the luff of the sail.

Jon Emmett Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 988	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jon Emmett Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 07 at 5:16pm
	On a boat with no jib around 6 mast diameters works well.
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