Laser Tips

   The other thing you can to is go above close hauled to reduce the force on the sail and crank the mainsheet on then lock the kicker off. Then come back down to a close hauled course. You need to do it pretty quickly though or the boat speed drops right off.
I use this technique when it gets to upper F5/F6 territory.

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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 Topic: Laser Tips Posted: 31 May 12 at 5:11pm
	The other thing you can to is go above close hauled to reduce the force on the sail and crank the mainsheet on then lock the kicker off. Then come back down to a close hauled course. You need to do it pretty quickly though or the boat speed drops right off. I use this technique when it gets to upper F5/F6 territory.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

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: 31 May 12 at 5:08pm
	Most people use a 7mm mainsheet in a Laser these days. It does take a reasonable amount of force to get it to go block to block so if you don't have XD style kicker assistance then you may struggle unless you are strong in the upper body department (or a gorilla like me). The old kickers are useless so just concentrate on getting as much on as you can until your new one turns up. Grippy gloves also help but you so tend to burn through them quickly.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

EmmyC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Oct 10 Location: Berkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote EmmyC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 12 at 5:04pm
	Thanks for the response guys. I still have the old kicker (about as much use as a chocolate teapot), the Harken is on order - That may have played a large part in me not getting block-to-block. Also, my mainsheet has a tendancy to knot and tangle itself - Perhaps I should replace it ;)

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 12 at 9:11am
	I'd check out the rope you are using, some are too thick and hold the water.

timeintheboat Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 615	Post Options Post Reply Quote timeintheboat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 12 at 7:03am
	I'd go with Neptune. Assuming you are hiking hard then to get block to block you are going to be bending the rig by pulling in the mainsheet - unless you get something to bend the rig for you - which is the kicker. When you have it pulled in as tight as you can reach forward and twang the kicker - how tight is it? I my old days of (full-rig) sailing in those conditions I would go block to block, pull on the kicker so it is taut and then in just a bit more as the default (and marked) starting position. Edited by timeintheboat - 31 May 12 at 7:04am
	Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else

fab100 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005	Post Options Post Reply Quote fab100 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 May 12 at 10:31pm
	Remind us which rig please. But default answer is just pull harder
	Great book for Club Sailors here

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 May 12 at 9:21pm
	The ratchet only helps you hold it not pull it on. Perhaps more kicker would help.
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

EmmyC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Oct 10 Location: Berkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote EmmyC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 May 12 at 6:26pm
	I had my first sail in my Laser the other day in a force 3-4 and I had a bit of trouble getting it block-to-block. Was I not trying hard enough or should I upgrade the ratchet? Thanks ;)