Lasers

Originally posted by 423zero I think he's gone

That's a shame, pity, then we can't have anyone on here to make the place interesting can we?

Oh and how do you know it's a he, Demelza is Poldarks wife no?

I was enjoying that thread, waking up all the dinosaurs with all their axes ready to grind, can't have anyone new, well done troops.

Some young sailors (or parents) less well-informed than some on this forum may be tempted to buy a new 'Laser' with a view to racing. The recent appearance of new Lasers for sale with 218000+ boat numbers is an added concern. (New ILCAs have reached similar numbers; I already know of one duplicate.) I understand that ILCA-UK has taken steps over the past couple of years to inform and educate the RYA and its Junior classes, whose sailors feed the ILCA4 and ILCA6 classes, to reduce the chance of a youngster turning up at a UKLA Qualifier only to learn that they cannot take part. That would be soul-destroying, and not just for the sailor. We all want to avoid that.

Contrary to what some on this forum appear to believe, boats and equipment that are not class-legal are subject to protest at any racing event run anywhere under the RRS, not just class-association events. The canard that it's OK to use illegal kit for club racing has been peddled for many years by retailers of 'replacement' or replica sails & kit, though some are careful to avoid saying that their 'replacement' sails are suitable for racing.

If sailing clubs are affiliated to the RYA (and most are), they are bound by the WS regulations, the RRS and, in many cases, by the RYA code of conduct known as the Racing Charter. Under the RRS a club cannot change class rules by NOR without the CA's approval – and you know how likely that is. (In the latest RRS only NORs can change class rules. SIs cannot change class rules under any circumstances; any such SIs are now doubly invalid.) Clubs are therefore not in a position to 'permit' out-of-class Lasers or replacement/replica sails.

Moreover, a sailor that enters a boat for racing, knowing that it does not measure, commits a breach of Rule 69.1 (Misconduct). Entering an event with an out-of-class Laser, knowing it is not class-legal, might result in disqualification and a stiff telling-off. Repeated events have more severe penalties. Doing as ‘Demelza’ suggests, disguising a boat with an overlaid false WS plaque, might lead to the perpetrator finding another sport more congenial.

Originally posted by tink in the quick question round Lilly asks Olympians which Lasers are the best, they all say Australian ones and say they are stiffer and have better mast rake.

This dates back way before this latest debacle, even I knew about the cheating Aussi b'stards before I'd even taken up the seated position to go sailing. Does that make me a Rasta sock puppet and for f**ks sakewho even cares?

Nobody on here is going to be fooled into doing something he or she shouldn't regarding Laser purchase, I don't get why y'all are so defensive (Not necessarily addressing this at you tink.)

Other than it proving my well trodden point that there is no such thing as a true One Design.

Dead Rock, I can categorically confirm my club would allow a LP Laser to sail, it would be given PY of a Laser with appropriate sail size, can't see how RYA or anyone else could stop us, would allow it to compete against the UKLA Lasers if they didn't mind, handicap if they did.

Originally posted by 423zero Dead Rock, I can categorically confirm my club would allow a LP Laser to sail, it would be given PY of a Laser with appropriate sail size, can't see how RYA or anyone else could stop us, would allow it to compete against the UKLA Lasers if they didn't mind, handicap if they did.