Interpreting shroud telltales

[DaveC426913]

OK, I know when my shroud telltales are pointing to starboard, it means the wind is on the port rail,
and I know when my shroud telltales are pointing to port, it means the wind is on the starboard rail.

But what does it mean when the telltales have run all the way up the shrouds to the spreaders - and they are pointing straight up??



In a closely-related mystery...

Know what a fisherman's reef is? When a gust hits hard enough to knock the boat over, you yank on the main sheet, and let it fly. This knocks the wind out of the main sheet, and rights the boat. That's a fisherman's reef.

So, what happens if you're sailing under jenny only (main sail down), and you are still in danger of getting knocked down? So, now you have to ease the jib sheet fast. Excecpt the jib sheet doesn't have a 4:1 block on it. Which means when you reef it, the 20 knots filling in the genoa rip the sheet across your bare hand, giving you a welt? What kind of reef is that called?

P.S. Had a great day playing out on the water single-handed today.

[LoHo]

That's called a Lifeline Reef, because when you look at your palm, your lifeline is red and about a quarter inch wide...

[Gypsea Wind]

But what does it mean when the telltales have run all the way up the shrouds to the spreaders - and they are pointing straight up??


Is there a swirling angry mass of clouds and debris over the boat that looks like a spout?

I am curious why they would be pointed straight up also....

[DaveC426913]

I am curious why they would be pointed straight up also....

I should be more specific. 'Straight up' means parallel to the mast. Now, the mast being over at 45 degrees, that's the trick.

[cmagnus4]

I am curious why they would be pointed straight up also....

I should be more specific. 'Straight up' means parallel to the mast. Now, the mast being over at 45 degrees, that's the trick.

Could it be that the wind is spilling out of the main and actually blowing over the top of the sail?

[budgates]

If the tell tales are pointing parallel to the mast it means you're having way too much fun.