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January 12, 2024 2 min read

Where Should I Apply My Tell Tales

Two types of tell tales are most commonly used on dinghies and keelboats. Leech and luff tell tales.


Leech tell tales are located on the back edge of the sail and are made from lightweight spinnaker/ streamer material. These will tell you how to trim your sail depending on what side of the sail the tell tale is curling towards or if it is flying freely.


Luff tell tales are located parallel to the bolt rope or luff tube. They are usually located approximately 50 to 60 cm inwards on the Laser sail. These are positioned in a way they can be seen and in the best-undisturbed wind in the deepest part of the sail. These will tell you about your angle if you are pinching too close to the wind or if the wind is stalling out of the top of the sail.


ILCA 7 /Laser Standard

A general rule of thumb for the position on the lowest tell tail on a standard sail is 80cm up from the foot and 60cm in from the luff sleeve. For the next one up 150cm up and 40cm in.


ILCA 6 / Laser Radial

A general rule of thumb for the position on the lowest tell tail on a standard sail is 80cm up from the foot and 50cm in from the luff sleeve. For the next one up 130cm up and 50cm in.


ILCA 4 /Laser 4.7

A general rule of thumb for the position on the lowest tell tail on a standard sail is 70cm up from the foot and 50cm in from the luff sleeve. For the next one up 120cm up and 40cm in.


Some ILCA sails come with a tiny X where the tell tales should go. These small pencil markings are just visible when new to give you an idea of where to put the tell tales.


Telltales allow you to help you see what the winds flow over the sail; without them, you wouldn't be able to see this.


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