any tipsa for new laser 4000 sailer

Skip the 4k and go for an 800.

However, I really do like the 4000. The wing wam (sp?) system is great in light winds, and gives you a great advantage, but is pretty pointless once the wind gets up.

 

Originally posted by carshalton fc na the 4000 is much nicer than a 800 and u cant get an 800 in yellow!!   na if u high wire u go fast and end up sailing lower!!  na i wasnt standing up far from it!!

Thats not actually true. If your theory is correct, you may aswell just sit in the boat and sail the boat as deep as possible. which if you have tried, you will know is pretty pointless (providing theres wind of course).

If you lower yourself a bit, yes you will have to sail a bit higher, but you will get the boat goin quicker, and with speed gain you will gradually end up sailing deeper anyway.

yer true but i sail on a lake and u most probily sail on the sea were the wind is more steady!!    yer i would lower myself if i was going for a mark etc but we wernt raceing and we were just sailing in the gusts!!

Here's a tip.  The 4000 is a fast boat and like a car going fast you have to steer gently.  Don't throw it through the tacks (or gybes).  I find its much better to head up as the crew comes in, give him time to uncleat the old jib sheet, cleat loosly the new jib sheet and move out onto the rack as you bear away.  Then, when you're going, squeeze in the jib a bit more.  This procedure gains at least an extra boat length to windward and is nice and relaxing for both helm and crew.

I've noticed that the less expert person in a 4000 gets in on his bum or his knees.  Neither should ever touch the boat.  Come in off the wire to a standing position in the middle of the boat, do the jib sheets and then move out on your feet to the new rack, lower yourself out taking the weight on your arm and then hook in and then trim the sheet.  Incidentally it is easy to oversheet the jib on a 4000 (you should be able to see the water between the foot of the jib and the gunwhale). 

Similarly the helm should never get on his knees.  To tack, switch from dagger grip to pan handle and push the tiller away (gently).  Move your rear leg right across the boat and uncleat the main as you go.  Don't rush since you want the boat to heel to windward before you go right across and anyway you want to give the crew plenty of time while he's in the middle of the boat.  Sit down on the new windward side and bear away and sheet in as the crew goes out.  Swap hands, switch to dagger grip and pull that sheet in a bit harder as the boat gets up to speed. 

In heavy winds you don't encourage so much of a roll (ie you go across a little earlier) so that the boat is level when you want to bear away on the new tack.  In a sharp chop the helm can lose his balance if he doesn't steady himself by holding onto the mainsheet jammer with his mainsheet hand.

There; its quite simple!