Laser crew weight?

   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.

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snowleopard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 02 Oct 17 Location: Cornwall Online Status: Offline Posts: 66	Post Options Post Reply Quote snowleopard Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser crew weight? Posted: 16 Jan 20 at 4:30pm
	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.

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: 05 Nov 19 at 2:32pm
	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

Mike7722 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 19 Location: South East Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike7722 Report Post Quote Reply 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

GybeFunny Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Oct 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote GybeFunny Report Post Quote Reply 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.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 19 at 7:46am
	Radial on the sea.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3400	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 10:21pm
	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"

tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 8:46pm
	Yeah you need to be still in a Radial
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com

Mike7722 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 19 Location: South East Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike7722 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 8:40pm
	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!

Wiclif Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 04 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 81	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wiclif Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 5:58pm
	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.

tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 19 at 6:57am
	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 Edited by tink - 03 Nov 19 at 6:58am
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com