New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Monday Laser Rant
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Monday Laser Rant
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12345>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Do Different View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 26 Jan 12
Location: North
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Monday Laser Rant
    Posted: 02 Dec 16 at 7:16pm
That seems the eternally frustrating thing about a Laser. Nice boat to sail but infuriating niggles that could have been weeded out through it's life.

I know, I know "same for all" "creating an arms race" "increasing cost". Come on though really, they are hardly cheap now, especially when you consider the very basic materials they are made from. 
Would a gradual and process have really killed the Class or made it more inspirational and engaging to progress into the new innovations as they came along.  
I am led to believe the real keeners are changing boats and sails on a regular basis anyway and the hackers like me would have enjoyed the chance to pick up a three yr old spec boat to replace the earlier clunker.  
Back to Top
RS400atC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Dec 08
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3011 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Dec 16 at 5:29pm
Originally posted by laser193713

....

It sounds like you are going into this with a very negative stance, why did you buy a Laser?

Level racing, boat on boat. Not sure I'd call it 'class racing' as many of my esteemed rivals seem more relaxed about class rules than I am.
On the race course it is great.
Back to Top
Emilio Castelli View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 22 Nov 11
Location: Sebastopol, Ca
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 20 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Emilio Castelli Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 11:27pm
Originally posted by laser193713

No, the spider is there because it is illegal to add extra hull fittings. That's just a "laser-ism".



Wrong.
22. COMPASS (a) One compass is permitted mounted on any part of the deck or the cockpit, provided that the hull cavity is not pierced by anything other than the fasteners.

We have enough "laser-isms" without making new ones up.
E
www.castellivineyards.com
Back to Top
Do Different View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 26 Jan 12
Location: North
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 9:16pm
LOL Wink
Back to Top
maxibuddah View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 06 Mar 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1760 		Post Options Post Options   Quote maxibuddah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 7:42pm
Originally posted by laser193713

No, the spider is there because it is illegal to add extra hull fittings. That's just a "laser-ism".



must have been a lot of illegal lasers 30 years ago then. But then it was the days before replica sails so something had to be illegal I guess. I remember them on a lot where the rails were screwed to the deck and the compass then slid into them. Mind you I don't know anyone who bothered to read the class rules back then either...
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
Back to Top
laser193713 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 13 May 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 889 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laser193713 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 2:01pm
No, the spider is there because it is illegal to add extra hull fittings. That's just a "laser-ism".
Back to Top
maxibuddah View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 06 Mar 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1760 		Post Options Post Options   Quote maxibuddah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 12:35pm
I bent a couple of top sections but never broke them like a lot did. But I did break two bottom sections....

In the old days people used to attach the Silva big ball compass straight to the deck. I thought the spider only came about cos people didn't want to damage the boat
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
Back to Top
laser193713 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 13 May 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 889 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laser193713 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 10:02am
Sailing block to block is a given, you need to be able to. You will also need a lot of kicker as the wind gets up. Even so, I still never managed to bend a mast. Actually, that's a slight lie, I once bent a bottom section at deck level. 

The alternative to shaping your tiller is to buy one from rooster, cst or someone else... They all tend to fit better and be much stiffer. I preferred the rooster one because it didn't hit the traveller cleat so much. The CST one used to be so thin that it flexed up and down which meant it could tap the cleat occasionally which was annoying.

I don't really see how you plan to mount the compass without the spider. Not without putting the boat out of class. It's amazing how few people bother with one at all, perhaps try that.

It sounds like you are going into this with a very negative stance, why did you buy a Laser?
Back to Top
Ardea View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 06 Oct 15
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 70 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ardea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 9:18am
Top masts bending is an issue, just many people don't notice it as it tends to do it at the plastic sleeve point.  Bent top masts cause a number of issues such as low booms and/or poor leech tension. Both of these things make sailing lasers less enjoyable.  I never had an issue with the rudder as I sail somewhere where you don't ever really have to lift a laser rudder!
Back to Top
JohnJack View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 12 Mar 13
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 246 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JohnJack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 16 at 9:06am
The only issues I ever had with the Laser was, heaving the mast and flapping sail into the mast pot without putting it through the deck (I have puny upper body strength) and the main sheet catching around the lip on the corner at the back. No amount of yanking on the mainsheet mid gybe seemed to resolve this.

Oh and the rudder was a bit on the small side and ridiculously raked so you got loads of weather helm


Edited by JohnJack - 01 Dec 16 at 9:07am
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12345>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy