Lasers

   Im thinking of getting a laser 4.7 or radial. Should i  do it? Its the right price range and looks ok and also my clubs having the Laser open so i would like to race in that. Theres a lot at the club so i could ask them but they're never around!

Edited by sailor_420

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sailor_420 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 19 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Post Options Post Reply Quote sailor_420 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Lasers Posted: 23 Jun 07 at 9:31pm
	Im thinking of getting a laser 4.7 or radial. Should i do it? Its the right price range and looks ok and also my clubs having the Laser open so i would like to race in that. Theres a lot at the club so i could ask them but they're never around! Edited by sailor_420

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jun 07 at 5:48pm
	If there are 30 at your club ask to try one and see if you like it. If you do then you will have plenty of competition and advise from the other 30 sailors. Me I wouldn't touch one with a long pole used for barges. But that is my opinion.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

BBSCFaithfull Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 06 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1251	Post Options Post Reply Quote BBSCFaithfull Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jun 07 at 6:34pm
	Get a radial not the 4.7 as the 4.7 is just too small for the boat really
	Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!!

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jun 07 at 11:10pm
	im no expert on lasers but i fail to see how a 4.7 can go upwind well with so little sail area

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 07 at 6:58am
	The 4.7 seems to me to be a really horrible thing... The Radial has got to be the choice if you can possibly hold the rag in your normal club conditions.

Fraggle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fraggle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 07 at 9:26am
	One thing you haven't said is how heavy you are? Are you big enough for the radial? I've been sailing radial years and love them. Nothing wrong with the 4.7 rig so if you are much under 60kg go for that or you'll be overpowered a lot of the time. You might be lucky and find a boat with both rigs so when you get bigger you have the rig already.

mike ellis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike ellis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 07 at 11:23am
	the 4.7 is a great rig in a blow, i was on safety boat wednesday night when there was quite a bit of breeze watching a 4.7 beat a full rig, upwind downwind and on the reaches. and it wasnt as if the full rig sailor was a slouch either, he's the one who normally has the biggest haul on presentation evening. the 4.7 goes qicker upwind because the boat is flatter, and there is more power in t rig. Having said that i would still rather sail the radial than 4.7 just because the bigger sail is more fun reaching and running, just kill it with the downhaul upwind, and the same for the full rig.
	600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it. Also International 14, 1318

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: 25 Jun 07 at 12:12pm
	Mike, Laser sailors dont like using cunningham...it stretches their little sails too much . Thats the one thing I love when instructing and demonstrating sail controls....watching their face when I pull the cunningham full on (so you see the 4th corner drop away). Paul
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

mike ellis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike ellis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 07 at 12:26pm
	ah, so thats why with my radial i can now get the cringle about a centimetre bellow the gooseneck
	600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it. Also International 14, 1318

Hector Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 May 04 Location: Otley, Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 750	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hector Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 07 at 1:34pm
	I sailed a Laser at the weekend for the first time in nearly 10 years. Loved it. I've always thought it to be a great boat, and now with the XD kit it's simply superb. I'd forgotten how quickly and easily it tacks and gybes, and more important how it gives the helm instant feel / feedback after every move. It seems to me that the Laser 'knockers' on this forum just don't appreciate the brilliance of a decades old design that's deceptively simple, responsive, and that is both easy to sail yet challenging to sail fast. I agree the 4.7 is just too small for the boat - if you can't handle a Radial think about a Topper or similar until you're a bit bigger/stronger.