Re: telltales in jib

Bill Combs (ttursine@gnt.net)
Wed, 24 Mar 1999 14:21:10 -0600


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> Places like West Marine sell little packets of sail telltales that are
> attached via an adhesive backed piece of fabric. A packet costs about
> $5.00 and comes with more than you will use for both sails on a
> Potter. I suggest trying those before puncturing your sail.

Buy a couple of packs. If you use your boat regularly, they'll start
peeling after a couple of years. Still probably better than
penetrating the sail, however. I've used them for a dozen years.

If you do want to use yarn, the holes can be made with or without
heat. The hot method is hard to control -- the hole may end up bigger
than needed -- but is acceptable. Otherwise use a (cold) needle to
pull through the yarn, carefully inserting the pointy end so as to
split no (or a minimal number of) threads. The latter is easier than
it sounds.

Regards,

Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (Aug 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net