Positioning Tell-Tales On The Main?

[SEMIJim]

Hi All,

Just bought a pack of those stick-on yarn tell-tales for our "cruising" main. Where's the best locations for them? Some of what I've read suggests at each of the four battens? Attached right at the leach?

Thanks,
Jim

[sailaway21]

That should do you, Jim. Otherwise I'd space them equally up the leach. You're going to like having them.

[sailingdog]

Yup... you got it jim. post photos when you're done and sailing using them...

[capttb]

Hey Jim, might mention that the first time it rains I've found that the dye from the yarn bleeds onto the sail, seems temporary but disconcerting.

[sailingfool]

My new main came from the sailmaker with telltales attached: one on the leech at each of the top three battens (of five) and two sets of short pairs above each other, on the middle of the top third of the belly. If they are all pulling, the main is trimmed right.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by capttb

Hey Jim, might mention that the first time it rains I've found that the dye from the yarn bleeds onto the sail, seems temporary but disconcerting.

Thanks for the warning, capttb. It turns out there's another issue with yarn tell-tales: They can stick to the sail. One site I read suggested coloured mylar strips, instead. (I wonder where you'd find such a thing?) So I'm having second thoughts about installing those yarn tell-tales from WM. Perhaps, if I can find the red and green mylar material, I'll just use the stick-discs from the WM yarn tell-tale package with mylar strips.

I wonder about red and green ribbon, like you might find at a fabric store? I suspect that stuff would bleed worse than the yarn, tho. Maybe I'll go over to a fabric store tomorrow and see what's there. (Wx report right now looks like the day won't be conducive to sailing .)

Jim

[sailingdog]

Another good material, although not as colorful, is VHS or 8mm video tape. It works fairly well as tell tale material.

[artbyjody]

You can take the mylar and use an acrylic UV coating over them. They are available from any arts and crafts / artists type store. water it down 1 to 1 coat. Their will be no leakage.

OR

Before installing use wax paper and place them in between and iron. Wash once in a netted bag and you'll never see a stain from a bleed on your sails...

[Vitesse473]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Another good material, although not as colorful, is VHS or 8mm video tape. It works fairly well as tell tale material.

I use just regular cassette tape film and tape onto my shrouds (as high up as I can reach), and also on my spinnaker pole.

The image shows the correct placement. Here's the link to the website, explaining the purpose of each. ie; how you want to see them flying. My main has nylon telltales, but my jib has yarn. They stick all the time, which drives me nuts.

WB-Sails Ltd

[sailingdog]

I like the VHS and 8mm tape a bit better due to the greater visibility.