DAVIS Air-flow Tels - Manual

#950
Air-flow Tels
INSTRUCTIONS
Davis Air-flow Tels are wind-on-the-sail indicators. By showing the air flow across the sails,
Tels allow you to trim sails for maximum performance. The result is better boat speed, less
pinching, and no guesswork about placing the jib sheet lead forward or aft. No holes are
required in the sails—waterproof adhesive locator discs attach the Tels. Tels are made of rip-
stop nylon for maximum sensitivity and long life. High visibility. 14 Tels included in kit, in red
and green (port and starboard colors).
How to Apply the Air-Flow Tels
1. Peel away protective backing from the self-adhesive disc.
2. Thread nylon streamer through slit in the disc so that
approximately 1/2" (1.3 cm) of the end is affixed to the
adhesive side of the disc. This ensures adequate adhe-
sion of the Tel to the sail.
3. Place three sets of Tels 8 to 12" (20 to 30 cm) back from
the luff of the sail. Space evenly along the luff (see dia-
gram). Try to put all Tels in the middle of a panel to mini-
mize possibility of fouling on stitching.
How to Read the Air-Flow Tels
When the basic trim of the sail is correct, the Tels on both
sides of the luff will stream aft. When the sail needs trim-
ming or if you are pointing too high, the windward Tel will
dance upward. If you're trimmed in too tight or sailing too
low, the leeward Tels will lift. When sailing a fixed course,
adjust the jib to the Tels; when sailing "on the wind," adjust
the boat direction.
Most boats are at maximum when the windward Tels are
just barely fluttering. If both Tels are streaming straight aft,
you can probably ease the sheet slightly.
To check the fore and aft placement of the jib fairlead, bring
the boat onto a close-hauled course and trim the sail.
Observe the action of all three pairs of Tels. With a good
fairlead position, all Tels should flow smoothly and horizon-
tally. If the fairlead is too far aft, the highest windward and
lowest leeward Tels will flutter. If the fairlead is too far for-
ward, the highest leeward and lowest windward Tels will
flutter. When a good setting is found for a particular sail and
wind condition, take note of it for reference.
3465 Diablo Ave., Hayward, CA 94545 U.S.A.
Phone (510) 732-9229 • Fax (510) 732-9188
[email protected] www.davisnet.com
June 2005