Bear in mind that as we set the initial
car position with the sheet angle
bisecting the luff for our full headsail,
we will need to bring the car forward
as we furl in to maintain this angle
for our initial car position when reefed.
If our three sets of telltales at the luff- top, middle and bottom – are all flying
horizontally, we have the optimum shape
of sail for the wind conditions. We will
be sailing as fast as we can. If not, we
will need some adjustment.
If the windward telltales are lifting
or streaming forwards but the leeward
telltales are flying, then we are pointing
too high and we need to sheet in or
come off the wind, and if the leeward
telltales are drooping but the windward
ones are flying, the sail is about to stall
and we need to ease the sheet or come
up on the wind.
If the windward telltale at the top
is flying but the windward one at the
bottom is lifting, we need to move the
genoa car aft. And the reverse applies - windward telltale at the bottom flying
but windward telltale at the top lifting –
then we need to move the car forward.
If our sail is generally set nicely and
the telltales are flying straight but the
leech is still fluttering a little, a gentle
tweak on the leech line should bring
this under control.
7
COMING OFF THE WIND
Close hauled, you will have sheeted
in until the leech of the sail is close
to the spreaders. As we bear away, we will
ease the sheet for the correct sail setting,
but this will allow the leech to be very open.
The key to good headsail shape is having
control of the leech so as you come off the
wind, you will move the car forward to close
the leech and increase the power of the sail.8
FOCUS ON YOUR TELLTALES
The clue to whether the sail is set
nicely, besides speed, is given by the
telltales. These tell us about the airflow at a
specific part of the sail. The top set of telltales
show a stalled airflow, while the bottom set
show a good airflow over both sides of the
sail. Make sure your top telltales are also
flying properly: if the inner telltale is stalling,
move your car forward to reduce twist.9
HOW MANY TELLTALES?
One should have three sets of telltales,
a set each at 25% of the way up the
luff, 50% and 75%, and they should be about
a foot in from the luff. Try not to position
telltales by a seam because generally, being
made of wool, they will get caught up in
the stitching. If you have a furling headsail,
you may want to set telltales for each of your
reef positions – they can be stuck on easily.To windward, airflow over the
sail generates drive. Ensure
telltales towards the top of
the sail are flying tooEXPERT ON BOARD