Laser XD kit.

   A member at my club wants to upgrade his standard Laser to "similar" to XD spec, can he use his own bits ? for instance, he has 2 cam-cleats on side of cockpit for mainsheet, could he move these to foredeck ?He can't afford to pay several hundreds for Laser XD kit.

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423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser XD kit. Posted: 11 Feb 18 at 2:29pm
	A member at my club wants to upgrade his standard Laser to "similar" to XD spec, can he use his own bits ? for instance, he has 2 cam-cleats on side of cockpit for mainsheet, could he move these to foredeck ? He can't afford to pay several hundreds for Laser XD kit.

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 18 at 2:47pm
	It's all in part 2 here: https://www.laserinternational.org/rules-and-regulations/laser-class-rules/ I think he can use own supplied cam cleats, but they have to fit on an "offical" base - his sheet cleats are probably too big. Almost certainly a home built solution as you imply would not be class legal. That may or may not be a problem depending on the local club attitude, in club racing, but it would definitely not qualify for Laser events.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 18 at 3:09pm
	You can do anything you like if you don't mind the boat becoming an un-Laser. AIUI the really key thing about the XD kit was that it doesn't involve drilling new holes or putting in new fastenings, it all attached to what was already there. So moving the side deck cleats onto the foredeck is definitely a no. From the point of view of selling the boat on new holes feels like a bad idea too. I suppose a question would be how does your club feel about replica sails? If the rest of the fleet are already happy with a fleet consisting of Lasers and UnLasers, then they probably won't mind too much about an unLaser with unXD gear. Might be good manners to ask though. The need for trick fabricated bits to use the existing fittings is I think a lot of what makes the XD kit expensive, but there are probably cheaper options if you look about. If he can bend metal, of course, its a whole world easier.

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 18 at 3:54pm
	Their are no replica sails, all boats standard. Not sure what club would say about non-standard kit. This boat is about 30 years old and now (this year) belongs to a youth, but is in good condition due to lack of use and stored indoors from new. JimC, Their are no holes on foredeck of old Laser where XD kits are fitted on new boats at club that have XD fittings ?

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 18 at 4:06pm
	JimC, Just had another look, can see XD camcleats use holes where single clamcleat fits.

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Feb 18 at 9:03am
	You must use the builder supplier deck fitting and metal plate and kicker bottom assembly but the blocks and cleats you fir to them are your own choice as long as the centres line up. Kicker makes the biggest difference so if on a budget do that first. You can sometimes pick up kickers used for about £50-£80. The Holt one is serviceable enough but the Harken one is far superior and worth the extra. As a footnote though quite how the Laser class can insist on being a strict SMOD when their builder sells non-class legal parts is beyond me.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74