Latest legal Laser tweaks????

Originally posted by blaze720 Many of us remember what the Laser was 'in the day'.  It was totally dominant and we would argue that it helped dinghy sailing along.  It could still be there .....   Ok I stand corrected ... there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Laser, never was never will be  .. it is only just coming into its prime age now and the 'first wave' back in the day was just that a pre-curser for the rest of its 1000 year reign .....   Can't be improved so no point trying.  No point polishing it or even daring to suggest a bit of polishing might help whatsoever.  In fact you can't really polish ..... er .... what is it ... 'perfection' can you ?   Mike L.  (obviously far too old for that 7th Laser .... )

Edited by Chris 249 - 20 Jun 14 at 3:04am

Originally posted by iiitick How reliable are these?

The figures are supplied to ISAF by the CA... They're supposed to represent registered members who actively race. Obviously they don't represent every sailor, but its not unreasonable to compare them between classes.

Of course the Laser class as a whole isn't going to adopt a C2 style rig, and of course the Laser in one form or another (Radial, 4.7) is going to be used in world events.

Why on earth wouldn't they use the most commonly available boat in the world to do world events, and why would they change something which is so widespread? There is nothing for them to gain, and loads to lose. For me, they would have done better in 1970 something to allow a 6:1 kicker and cunningham (with actual blocks, but using the same cleats) to replace the simple old ones, banned the use of cats cradles and then kept it like that. No string all over the place, no expensive XD kits. So I think they have maybe made themselves too complex already.

Mind, once they are rigged, they work well, and they opened the boat up to lighter weight sailors, but they really are a pain to get rigged right if you don't use them week in week out and lean the system.

BUT, if you own a Laser at club level, and you and some mates want to put a carbon mast and mylar sail on your boats, what is to stop you? Could be a fun project if you happen to have some spare cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Originally posted by Chris 249  For example, the class is in a very different position in other countries to the position it is in the UK, because simple geography and demographics mean that other countries are normally more centred on local OD club racing than the UK is. Ok. that may put the class under a certain pressure in the UK - but is it better to force the entire world to change just for a certain number of sailors in one country? Would UK sailors be better off as a whole if they forced through changes that helped the class in the UK, but cost it numbers in the rest of the world?

Chris

There is no sneering here ... if you think about it you are now coming around to agree that the Laser could benefit from having a few of its 'wrinkles' smoothed out ... exactly what I and many others are saying.   If there is any difference between us  it is only to the extent of what needs doing ... NOT that some things should be ignored forever.

You have your own private 'hit' list maybe but don't tell us what exactly you think might be tackled usefully ... but a few of us 'knockers' have suggested identifiable improvements... and get a bit of jocular feedback ... well of course.  You might disagee with some of them, so put the case up for retaining its disputed  'characteristics'.  Using the 50,000 'whatsits' cant possibly be wrong argument is to ignore proper debate by almost stating 'you have never had it so good'  - ignoring the case for debate.  This effective stonewall approach to dealing with the 'threat' of new ideas is not a great or sustainable line in the long term.

But .. this is also a forum and a fair bit of tongue in cheek 'banter' is to be expected.  And by general standards the Y&Y forum is really very civilised.  So surely you do not want a 'gentlemans club' atmosphere here !  This is not the place for formal papers to be presented either ... it is usually much closer to the typical sailing club bar discussion.... and none the worse at all for that imo.     

'Sneering'  ?...  oh I don't think anyone has really started that just yet !  (Taking the **** maybe - as well we might if apres sailing )   Anyway Mark would soon step in to stop that sort of thing .. 

Mike L.


Edited by blaze720 - 20 Jun 14 at 10:05am