Ken Legler: Tell Tales

3/18/2004

Many college sailors do not use any tell tales other than those already installed on the jib. Tell tales placed on the shrouds are an extremely useful tool, especailly when racing downwind. Upwind the jib tales work well for steering a close hauled close with the jib trimmed is in all the way. On a close reach the jib tales help the crew trim the jib to the course steered. An extra set up high also helps with jib lead position, be it the jib lead car on a FJ for upwind sailing, the 420 halyard tension for jib lead or the arm position of the crew when close reaching. Off the wind the jib tales hang limp however and shroud tales are there to help both skipper and crew.

When running and winging the jib, the windward shroud tale should aim into the jib. Without the tell tale it will be easy to sail too low and blanket the jib behind the main. In light air the college dinghy does not want to go dead downwind even with the jib winged. The tell tale can help determine when to gybe on the shifts downwind or head up for more pressure.

On a broad reach the angle of the tell tale helps determine when you are in a puff or lull. If it sags, head up to increase pressure on the sails and get to the next puff sooner. When it pulls straight out in a puff, bare off with the puff to stay in the puff longer and/or sail more directly to your next mark.

Coaches: Get a big ball of yarn. A dead cassette tape (not The Dead) works too. Cut many pieces and keep them in your coat or PFD pocket. Junior Coaches: Place an extra tell tale on the spinnaker toping lift just above the spinnaker pole. This will help crews trim the guy.