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Laser beating technique |
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fab100
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005 |
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Topic: Laser beating technique Posted: 24 Mar 13 at 1:55pm |
If you want to get the most from your laser, I'm afraid the XD bits are pretty much essential Without, minimum requirements are a big barrel swivel to go between mast tang and cleat/block and a couple of extra blocks so you get at least an 8:1 on the kicker. A couple of extras on the downhaul will help too. And a big lean back, using you legs to pull rather than bicep |
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Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 13 at 4:24pm |
If you want to keep the costs down, new kicker first then cunningham blocks. The adjustable outhall I'd less important as its still hard to adjust on the fly
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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
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Reuben T
Groupie Joined: 22 Mar 13 Location: Lyme Regis Online Status: Offline Posts: 74 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 13 at 7:58pm |
When I invested in a swivel and a few more blocks for the kicker my results improved noticeably, for adjusting this type of kicker the best method seems to be to cleat the main then push your foot on it between the boom and block while pulling like crazy. I have now fully upgraded to XD and have found it to be so much easier. Having said that, the best laser sailor at our club prefers the old style, and even managed to snap his mast with it last week.
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fab100
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 13 at 11:08pm |
Happy days - I've broken a boom like that too Cheaper to get the XD then!
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jeffers
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 13 at 7:01am |
As others have said the XD kit is essential as is keeping the the boat as flat as possible. This often leads to having to play the main a lot especially in gusty or shifty conditions.
The other thin to check is that your rudder is down as far as is permitted. It is allowed to be a maximum angle of 78 degrees from the bottom of the stock. The most common mistake people make here is to route the rudder downhaul rope incorrectly and it get squashed between the rudder and the pin in the stock. The one final thing to remember is that if you are overpowered (and I am assuming you are light having issues in 10+ Kts) is to pull more cunningham on, you need a lot (yes it does wreck the sail if you over do it) to keep the boat balanced. That and try moving towards the transom and your hiking effort being in front of the center of effort of the sail will cause the boat to turn in to the wind and you end up fighting the tiller to keep the boat tracking in a straight line.
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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Fraggle
Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 220 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 13 at 9:41am |
One of my favourite coaching exercises is to put my own rigged boat (so its my sail getting stretched) in front of a group and ask them to set the controls for a given direction and wind strength. Get them to set it for a breezy upwind and when they are happy then show them just how much cunningham is actually needed! No one ever uses enough cunningham to start with as always scared of wrecking the sail.
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Late starter
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 13 at 10:19am |
Agree with what's been said so far, would also add that sailing with a blown sail can also induce lots of weather helm. IMHO once a Laser sail gets to a certain time of life pulling on the cunningham doesn't do too much !
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fab100
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 13 at 3:27pm |
Fair point, which queues Official vs Knock-Off Sail Debate: please please no
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