[Rhodes22-list] Question for James Wilson on sail trim

[Bill Effros]

I have tell tales marching across my 175 jib.  They tell an interesting 
tale.  I probably have a dozen of them on each side, in 2 horizontal 
rows, and it is possible to get them all lined up, the way they are 
supposed to be.  This is good to know, because usually they are not all 
lined up.

I've never seen another sail with as many tell tales as I've got.  My 
sail looks more like the illustrations in the magazines.  But one look 
at it, and you know right where the problem is with your sail shape.  
Correct the tell tales, your boat speed goes up every time.

Bill Effros

James Wilson wrote:

>Thanks for taking the time to post on sail trim,expect a few questions
>after I've had time to try some of this out.
>Jerry
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>Without a doubt,  telltale installation and utilization are the single most cost efficient performance upgrade you can possibly make to any boat.
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>The very same theory also works quite well on Headsails as well.  Only the method of altering the twist alters.  Jib sheet tracks and cars do the trick here,  with moving cars aft to increase twist, and fore to reduce.  of course the tracks also have other effects such as moving draft af the sail around a bit too.
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>In circumstances where the traveler is not able to reduce twist enough to make all of the telltales stream aft (Such as when sailing off the wind significantly)  there are other tricks one can employ. 
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> Boom vangs do not always have to attach from the boom to the mast.  The advantage of that setup is it works on every point of sail.  However it does pose a potential problem with Pop tops.  The downside of the boom to mast connection of a Vang is that much of the force genearted by the block and tackle is wasted as compression force of the boom into the goosenck on the mast.  Pressure can easily be high enough to sheer goosenecks not up to the challenge.  Esp. as wind forces pick up.  Improved geometry can be obtained that redirects most of the effect to tightening the Leach alone by having several strategically placed and BEEFY pad eyes along the gunnels.  The block that would normally attach to the mast should have some sort of quick release shackle so it can be attached to the most advantageously located padeye.  The the vang can be tightened down. You do have to remeber to release and relocate as necessary before tacking and or gybing though.  In this configuration, the 
> vang
> also functions as a Preventer.  However,  typically when rigging a preventer the goal is to have the deck attachment as low as possible so as not to prevent the boom from rising.  Mostly important in Boisterous seas with propensity for the boom to come in contact with Water.
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