Laser crew weight?
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13452
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 11:25pm
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Topic: Laser crew weight?
Posted By: Mike7722
Subject: Laser crew weight?
Date Posted: 02 Nov 19 at 10:33pm
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Hi all,
Wondering if I would be heavy enough for the laser standard rig. I'm 15, 60-65kg (Been awhile since I checked) but am reasonably tall (5'10" ish) and my dad says I would be all right in the standard rig in most winds, and have quite an advantage over the radials in the light stuff. Asking because we are looking for a cheapish laser and wondering whether the radial is a 'must-have' for my weight and ability. Obviously I'm on the light side, but I could just use the kicker and Cunningham a lot? I'm asking more whether I would be able to manage as opposed to how competitive I would be. |
Replies:
Posted By: tink
Date Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 6:57am
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Theoretically yes but it depends where you sail, fitness and sailing ability. Knowing your actu current weight would be a good starting point. Plus how much sailing are you doing over winter. Obviously when the main season starts next year you may be heavier
------------- Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Wiclif
Date Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 5:58pm
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Since you are asking this question in November, my recommendation is Radial at 65kg. My experience is that if you are sailing during the winter months, the wind tends to be either light, or heavy, with not so much in between. A radial rig will mean that you can improve your sailing, rather than your swimming ability at this time of year. In addition, you are likely to have more competition against Laser sailors of your age. Laser rigs are swoppable, so you can always change sizes. Be very careful in buying a second hand radial lower mast as they are not very robust. Lay it on a flat piece of ground and roll it from side to side to see if it is bent. If bent, you will need a replacement probably sooner rather than later.
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Posted By: Mike7722
Date Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 8:40pm
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Thx all.
60kg but will be sailing the laser probably next spring and summer, where there is more in-between stuff. I have asked a few fellows at the club and they agree I'd be too light for a standard in a blow. Still growing so will be taller/heavier by next spring. I'm sailing on the sea where it can get quite lumpy! |
Posted By: tink
Date Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 8:46pm
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Yeah you need to be still in a Radial ------------- Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 10:21pm
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I'd say Radial too (the full rig is over 8m2 the radial nearer 7 than the published figure) but buy the best Laser you can with either a Full or Radial rig and pick up a well used bottom section and sail to give you both. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 04 Nov 19 at 7:46am
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Radial on the sea. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: GybeFunny
Date Posted: 04 Nov 19 at 9:29am
| 60kg on the sea you will struggle with a full rig, if you were sailing on a tree lined puddle then you would be fine. I would try and get a radial. |
Posted By: Mike7722
Date Posted: 04 Nov 19 at 9:39pm
Thanks for the advice everyone. Thought this was the case, and a few sailors at the club share the opinion, so I'll try and get a radial until I'm taller/heavier 
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Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 05 Nov 19 at 2:32pm
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Inland you would cope, on the sea no chance so get a radial (or get a boat with both then you have the option). ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: snowleopard
Date Posted: 16 Jan 20 at 4:30pm
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I did club racing in a Laser with full rig for a couple of years. I was 100kg+ at the time and found that in winds above 10 kts I left the rest of the fleet for dead but in the light stuff I was invariably last! Unfortunately the good winds only occurred about once every 4 outings so series racing was hopeless. I also had a 4.3 rig so I could still go out when most people were tucked up in the clubhouse. The ideal would be to have a choice of rigs so you could use the full in light airs then change down when it starts to blow. A few tips for sailing an overcanvassed laser: Upwind, crank the outhaul and cunningham bar taut, hike out as far as you can then steer so you sail level without adjusting the sheet. Downwind, avoid the death roll by letting the boom out around 110° and sit out on the same side as the boom. It goes against all instincts but it works. ------------- One hull good, two hulls better. |