Laser beating technique

If you want to get the most from your laser, I'm afraid the XD bits are pretty much essential

Without, minimum requirements are a big barrel swivel to go between mast tang and cleat/block and a couple of extra blocks so you get at least an 8:1 on the kicker. A couple of extras on the downhaul will help too. And a big lean back, using you legs to pull rather than bicep

The other thin to check is that your rudder is down as far as is permitted. It is allowed to be a maximum angle of 78 degrees from the bottom of the stock. The most common mistake people make here is to route the rudder downhaul rope incorrectly and it get squashed between the rudder and the pin in the stock.

The one final thing to remember is that if you are overpowered (and I am assuming you are light having issues in 10+ Kts) is to pull more cunningham on, you need a lot (yes it does wreck the sail if you over do it) to keep the boat balanced. That and try moving towards the transom and your hiking effort being in front of the center of effort of the sail will cause the boat to turn in to the wind and you end up fighting the tiller to keep the boat tracking in a straight line.