Heavy enough for Laser full rig?

   At the risk of sounding like Jeremy Clarkson, I want MORE POWER. I weigh 72kg - has anyone got experience of sailing a Laser full rig at that kind of weight? I'm sailing with a Radial rig at the moment and I love it, but I wouldn't say no to a bit more speed. Thanks!

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dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Heavy enough for Laser full rig? Posted: 09 Mar 13 at 5:36pm
	At the risk of sounding like Jeremy Clarkson, I want MORE POWER. I weigh 72kg - has anyone got experience of sailing a Laser full rig at that kind of weight? I'm sailing with a Radial rig at the moment and I love it, but I wouldn't say no to a bit more speed. Thanks!

Reuben T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 14 Dec 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote Reuben T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 13 at 5:59pm
	I weigh 70kg and only ever sail a full rig. Unsurprisingly I do quite well in the light-medium wind , but have found I don't suffer that much when it gets a bit blowy because I am more used to being overpowered when going upwind so can cope pretty well, and then downwind I have a weight advantage to make up some of the lost ground. Anyway I enjoy the challenge so wouldn't move down to a radial even if I thought my results would improve. I suspect being taller than average at '6"2 helps me keep it upright, also it probably depends on the average wind speed of where you sail, but I would say to go for it and have a blast.

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 13 at 6:10pm
	Thanks for your reply; wind conditions where I sail are seriously variable - might be nice to have the option for MORE POWER. Good to know it's manageable at any rate.

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 823	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 13 at 6:37pm
	I'm 75kg. I usually use a full rig, though I do use a radial when the wind is up - it's just a lot easier on my not so young frame to do so! The key is to have good, modern, fully working controls. A full rig with a good kicker, outhaul and cunningham is a lot better behaved than one with "original features".
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 13 at 6:48pm
	yeh i have the original, i.e. 'non-XD' set up. Does the XD kit make a big difference yet?

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 13 at 6:48pm
	yeh

GybeFunny Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Oct 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote GybeFunny Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 13 at 7:10am
	I am 70kg and sail on a small lake and I use a Rooster 8.1 a lot of the time. It all depends on how open your club is to the prevailing wind. If you sail on the sea you are probably right in a Radial, on a small lake a full rig will be fine.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 13 at 9:15am
	I'm about that weight and short, and I found I could use a full rig, but was much faster upwind with a radial - probably enough to make up for any speed drop downwind - once I was well and truly overpowered. Agree that on a lake the extra power will be better, on the sea, not, in stonger winds. But if you just want MORE POWER then why not?!
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

maxibuddah Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1760	Post Options Post Reply Quote maxibuddah Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 13 at 10:56pm
	Back when I sailed them I weighed in about 74 kg and only ever sailed full rigs. Back thn radials were only for kids or real lightweights. It seems that somehow since then that the the laser must have gained about 50% extra power or something cos I don't never stand it. We never had xd controls, only the swivel on the kicker. I found it easy enough and used to love sailing in windy conditions and won opens even if windy. Yeah it would have been easier in a radial but I never regretted having the full rig. I fact I did try a radial once or twice and only ever found it difficult on the helm with heavy whether (or was it lee, too long ago to remember) helm. I'm sure if its different these days with the different cuts of the radial sail.
	Everything I say is my opinion, honest

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 13 at 12:51am
	thanks for all the replies; so the consensus seems to be the full rig would be manageable, at least below 15 knots. I think I'll pick up a Rooster replica and that would give me the option on the less breezy days. And maybe hit the protein shakes hard to try and gain some weight.