Laser Arms Race

Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by bustinben Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by DiscoBall   I wonder if the Laser class has actually been overcautious - if anything perception (and a certain amount of reality) that it is clunkier and more dated has fuelled the rise of the various new singlehanders. Whether these sailors would balance out those lost to the class through changes I don;t know.  I would say so yes... personally I would like to see the rudder improved a bit. I'm always interested by this one... what needs to be improved about the rudder and what practical differences would it make? AIUI - a more vertical blade would reduce the weather helm.  I know this can be corrected with better heel control, but 95% of laser sailors still sail them on their ear in a blow, so a progressive change to make them feel a bit nicer and cleaner would be welcome in my book.   I found the dagger rudder on the D-Zero very well balanced - would something similar not improve the feel of the Laser?  I'm happy to be corrected if this is not the case.

Originally posted by Oli Originally posted by Cirrus .... certainly in my experience of py sailors is that a good percentage of them have an over inflated sense of ability, that or they've confused py racing with personal handicap racing for some inexplicable reason. Certainly in my experience of (solely) fleet sailors is that a good percentage of them have an over inflated sense of ability, or they have confused fleet racing in a (sometimes today very average) fleet and class propoganda as evidence of their own underlying ability for some inexplicable reason. (The truth is more likely to be somewhere between these two these days surely  !! ) That sense is usually quelled after an event or two when pecking order is reinforced, they either change their mindset and carry on, leave the class events alone or the class entirely.

Originally posted by Fatboi "Laser Standard MKII training sail. Same cut, no class button, lighter cloth, big savings. There are three Laser sails, only ONE of which is currently legal for all competitions. 1. Class legal - Legal for all National & International competitions. 2. Class Compliant - Not Class legal, made from the same cloth and to the same specification as the class legal version but without ILCA button so are not legal for any competitions at present. 3. Training Sail - Not Class legal, made from lighter cloth to keep the cost down, again without the class legal button." I guess option 2 cuts some royalties out as well as the costs of measuring the sail. Only thing I can think of to reduce the price...

Reduce the price ffs they cost 25 bucks to make the rest is all margin and the difference between those three options? Probably $5 if that, it's a total con, so no, I won't be protesting the poor fools for trying to get a better sail for a lot less money as long as it's there or there about size wise.

My gripe isn't that, my gripe is with those that would artificially slow the handicap when in truth the reverse is the case and that extends to the 'damned united'(RYA) as well with their ridiculous 'confidence' function on their software. which despite the bloody things winning practically everything this season, it still recommends a slower handicap than 1098 when they've been capable of winning in their condition since 1078.

Edited by iGRF - 05 Jun 18 at 10:50am

Originally posted by iGRF Other factual inaccuracy by my starchy chum.. Our club has been submitting handicap results ever since I became commodore two or three years back when Bas Edmonds visited us and promised new motorways that were never built.