What style furler are you using? There is a bracket for the Hobie style furler to mount that telocat. You might be able to mount this style on a ronstan or harken furler drum.
Edited by pknapp66 on Jul 29, 2019 - 03:41 PM.
-- Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20 --
I tried only once with the tello cat, it lasted about a week, i didn’t bother replacing it. You will break it sooner or later passing under the bridles. It was nice to have it, especially the wires at each side, to have a pointing angle reference. Someday i’ll figure out something for that purpose. Meanwhile i tie some red stripes stollen from the sewing box. (I don’t know what a cassette or VHS tape is... )
John - I haven't been able to figure out how to mount a wind vane with the Harken Roller. Or a good way to mount a GoPro, since there's no shroud adjuster anymore.
Maybe if we added a small triangle bridal plate and drilled that for various attachments?
I worry it will throw my jib geometry off, though.
I guess I need an education from those more experienced than me (which is probably most on here).
I mostly use a telocat. I have not found a place to mount one on the I20 with an end pole snuffer. I put
some cassette tape on the bridles and shrouds and went out sailing. As we were sailing on a reach I turned up and down maybe 15 degrees or so (estimated of course). I asked my crew if he saw any significant changes
in the tape. We both agreed that there was not much noticeable change. With the telocat the change is quite
apparent when the wind or boat course changes. So what am I missing that makes the tape as good as the telocat or wind vane? I also find it a lot easier to judge my downwind course with the telocat.
-- Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20 --
If you have a spin pole rigged i would put tape on the spin bridals too - the spin can add lots of wind interference at the (jib) bridal and provide false results
the tape should flow identical to the weather vane (arrow) - showing you exactly where the apparent wind is when moving and where the true wind is when static
the telocat's only "bonus" are those 2 wires (Reference Arms) showing you the 45* mark (or whatever you have them set to)
you just have to "imagine" those are there (if you used them as a tacking guide)
I am not a fan of tape on the shrouds, they are not in your line of sight and take your eyes off course to observe.
Most of the sailors i sail with use nothing - they feel the wind on their face, set course and use their jib tel-tales to see minor wind changes
I prefer some tape on my bridals - as it is in my line of sight at all times
(edit) just noticed the "we were on a reach"
at that angle of attack, you are maxing out your boat speed and apparent wind - i wouldn't exoect anything more than a quick and small change in the tape and would be hard to notice
I also find it a lot easier to judge my downwind course with the telocat.
You should be sailing to the kite's power. Its why crew communication is essential.
The rule that was expressed to me when I started on F18 was...
Upwind - Skipper's head is in the boat making sure they keep her moving and crew's head is out of the boat calling tactics.
Downwind - Reverse that. Skippers head is out the boat calling tactics and crew's focus is keep the kite pulling.
I’m surprised no one is using spare tell tales for this.
I have in the past -
problem is, no matter if I buy tell tales (non stop nylon), use yarn, or magnetic tape - they are gonna get caught/fouled at some point.
tape doesn't last as long (usually fade or tear) but i have 4,000,000 feet of tape from my youth
tel-tales cost more than a 6pack - why buy when "I have"