Laser Replica Sails

Originally posted by GML if an Organising Authority wants to organise racing for boats with a Laser hull but any sail, then it is free to do so

I got an opinion from the RYA on related matters a few years ago. They were quite clear that if a boat has been taken *deliberately* out of class, eg by fitting a replica sail, then the class rules of the class the boat used to be in no longer apply to the boat.

But that's very different from saying that class rules do not apply in a handicap event.

Originally posted by Rupert One of the original principles behind the yardstick system was that boats wouldn't be turned away from events because they had no yardstick.

'xactly so Rupert. Boats shouldn't be turned away because of no published yardstick for the class. I'd have a lot of sympathy for clubs who elected to turn away boats of an established class that were out of class though. Making the organiser's job unnecessarily difficult.



Edited by JimC - 09 May 16 at 11:40am

Originally posted by jeffers the simple way round this is to create a 'local' class specific to your club.

You don't even need to do that. The notice of race specifies what boats are eligible for which race. It could specify International Lasers plus boats with the following brands of replica sail provided they otherwise comply with Laser class rules. You could argue the club ought to be measuring each brand of replica sails to see if they are they aren't larger than Laser sails or whatever...

Originally posted by sandgrounder Originally posted by jeffers Also, as Sandgrounder has pointed out, you have those who go the other way. I know some clubs only permit Lasers if your boat is class legal and some are more relaxed. I daresay his club are now more relaxed and that caused him to step away (NB I do know who Sandgrounder is and what they sail now) That's incorrect, my home club strictly enforces RRS with respect to Laser class rules / replica kit. One of the factors that contributed to myself and others leaving the class was that certain hosting clubs were permitting the use of non-measured replica sails in open events.

...... and 'skull and cross-bones' as the official sail/'class' logo maybe ?  

Originally posted by jeffers Originally posted by turnturtle what I'm a little surprised at is that no one has asked 'why?'.... 'why are Rooster stopping replica sails?' Surely they're a good piece of revenue, even if the competition has squeezed them a bit?   Maybe it's a bit of a leap, but as forum conjecture goes, could it be that Rooster are aligning themselves up for a more official role within the authorised parts supply chain in due course?  I couldn't think of a better placed firm to take forward the Laser into he 21st century than Rooster- their customer service is exceptional and their product ranges priced well without compromising on quality.   There's more to this decision ... i can smell it :-) To come back to this... I am told,  from a very reliable source, that the reason Rooster have stopped selling replica sails (and all other replica parts for the laser) is because they are trying to break in to the US Market with their other products.  Laser Performance have told their US dealer network that if they do business with a company that supplies replica parts their dealership status will be removed. Before anyone asks no i will not name my source, they contacted me when they were made aware of this and asked me to post the above (not paid though....that would make me a paid troll). As others have pointed out a lot of the smaller lofts will do you a replica, i would recommend Morgan Sails,  they did me a great replica a few years back before I walked away from the class.