Towing a laser - any tips?

   Hi! 
We are about to buy a laser for our son to replace his Topper which is a bit small for him now. 
Can anyone offer any tips on towing the new boat please? The Topper was easy as it is quite flexible and not prone to cracking if the ratchet straps are a bit tight....I understand a laser is not as forgiving!

Also - can anyone tell me how long the cable needs to be on the lightboard to reach the length of the boat? Our current one only just reaches for the Topper so I am guessing it won't be any good for the laser.

Many thanks in advance 

Sally
Non sailing, clueless parent

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Sallya48 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sallya48 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Towing a laser - any tips? Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 10:35am
	Hi! We are about to buy a laser for our son to replace his Topper which is a bit small for him now. Can anyone offer any tips on towing the new boat please? The Topper was easy as it is quite flexible and not prone to cracking if the ratchet straps are a bit tight....I understand a laser is not as forgiving! Also - can anyone tell me how long the cable needs to be on the lightboard to reach the length of the boat? Our current one only just reaches for the Topper so I am guessing it won't be any good for the laser. Many thanks in advance Sally Non sailing, clueless parent

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3420	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 10:49am
	Hi Sally, You can get extensions for your lightboard. Laser only a couple of feet or thereabouts longer than Topper, will you be using same trailer ? Ratchet straps are difficult to describe, 'how tight' ?, 'just enough', something you gain with experience, probably has tight as belt on a pair of trousers, best I can come up with.

Sallya48 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sallya48 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 11:19am
	Thank you! That's helpful S

Eisvogel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 09 Dec 16 Location: Birmingham Online Status: Offline Posts: 135	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eisvogel Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 12:30pm
	When I bought my last Laser I put it on the roof; though I wouldn't want to do that on a frequent basis. I used straps like these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CSTOM-Lashing-Strap-Straps-Tensioning/dp/B06XGR9VN6/ I bought the Laser from fellow forum user piglet, who said those kind of straps were good as they would not put too much pressure on; you basically tighten them by hand. Edited by Eisvogel - 15 Jun 18 at 12:31pm
	Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 12:59pm
	If you're loading on a trailer it's worth putting some bits of carpet offcut under the straps over the gunwhales, to help reduce rubbing.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

piglet Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514	Post Options Post Reply Quote piglet Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 9:50pm
	As Eisvogel says, good cam straps rather than ratchet straps. Personally I think roof topping is safer, less to go wrong and much kinder to the boat. But, You have to lift it on & off. If you are trailering a Laser on a gunwale hung buy a sling strap to support the hull.

Sallya48 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sallya48 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 18 at 7:50am
	Thank you everyone - all really helpful stuff. S

deadrock Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 24 Jun 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 85	Post Options Post Reply Quote deadrock Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jun 18 at 2:26pm
	My two-penny'orth is to avoid ratchet straps - it is too easy to over-tighten them, especially after a hard day on the water and all you want to do is get home. Over-tightening will crack the gelcoat and fibreglass under the gunwhales, and may even rip the glass-fibre. Then you really do have a serious problem. The straps recommended by Eisvogel and Piglet do the trick for both car-topping and trailing, but it's not a bad idea to introduce a degree of redundancy by doubling up with rope.