Technique: Laser XD Kit

Print Page | Close Window

Laser XD Kit

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10652
Printed Date: 27 Jun 25 at 8:48pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Laser XD Kit

Posted By: dohertpk
Subject: Laser XD Kit
Date Posted: 19 Jan 13 at 5:19pm

Advice for noob needed please!

Would a Harken XD kit make the downhaul easier to rig on my Laser? Also, what in general does the XD kit do on a Laser? Have just upgraded from a Pico and rigging seems very complicated by comparison. Yes yes I'm a noob. Help!

Thanks!!!!

Peter

Replies:

Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 19 Jan 13 at 5:43pm

It's so long since I've rigged a non XD downhaul on a Laser that I've pretty much forgotten! However, in general the XD kit doesn't make rigging any easier, in fact you have more string and more blocks. The big difference it does make is that it makes it much easier for mortals to control the sail shape as conditions change. With XD kit it's much, much easier to keep the boat under control as the wind strengthens, and to optimise settings for different courses with respect to the wind.

-------------
Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: frow3n
Date Posted: 19 Jan 13 at 9:37pm

With the XD rigging, it makes everything much easier and more straighforward to use. Rigging doesn't take any longer if you just use one rig as most of the time its just doing 2/3 knots and launching... I take about 15 minutes to rig my Laser :)

-------------
Laser Radial 201357
29er 1907

Queen Mary SC

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 19 Jan 13 at 9:53pm

As an occasional rigger of Lasers I find the XD kit ridiculously complicated to rig.

Posted By: bustinben
Date Posted: 19 Jan 13 at 11:28pm

It depends how you set it up and how you derig it.

If you go with the standard way all you have to do is hook on the outhaul, and thread it down to the cleat.

Then attach the downhaul primary through the cringle to the top of the kicker and thread the secondary through to the cleat.

Then hook on the kicker and go sailing :)

Same as non-xd with the exception of the outhaul passing through 2 more blocks on its way to the cleat.

If you can't do it in less than 8 minutes from cover to water you're not trying!

Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 20 Jan 13 at 12:20pm

i must admit when the xd kit came out, i changed the kicker and the downhaul, but left the old outhaul on because it was just too complicated.

-------------

Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 20 Jan 13 at 8:57pm

[TUBE]W70wB8JJH4E[/TUBE]< id="_npwlo" ="applicationpwlo" height="0">

-------------
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 -

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 21 Jan 13 at 9:00am

Depends on how the you rig the XD kit. I can be rigged and ready to go on the water in less than 10 minutes (once i am changed of course).

Also you don't need to Harken XD kit throughout just the Harken vang.

For the outhaul and Cunningham all you actually need to but is the builder spec deck plates. Once you have those you can fit any kit that fits the holes so if you have a tooldbox full of blocks and cleats you will probably have enough stuff to finish it (much cheaper then buying the full kits).

The outhaul is simple. As for the cunningham I find the 'cascade' style version just does not have enough travel (just my preference) so I have the Rooster style looping system. Either way they both rig the same way which is primary through the cringle, down to the kicker then either tie off to a becket or to the top of the kicker.

-------------
Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Jan 13 at 9:22am

Hmmm, my Lightning has 3 hooks. Job done in less than a minute, including hoisting the sail. Why didn't they do something similar for the Laser when they changed things? Apart from the hoisting sail bit, of course - that is for another thread...

-------------
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: Chris 249
Date Posted: 21 Jan 13 at 10:28am

When training, I normally just go 2 to 1 on the cunno, which only takes a few seconds to rig; just pass the line up through the cunno eye and tie it off.

More exotic systems may require less force, but making the cunno harder to pull on when training can (IMHO) be a good way to increase upper body strength. Mainly, though, by making training harder you make racing easier.

The extra time taken to rig more sophisticated systems is better spent actually on the water, doing more drills and moves. And the best way to practice using a properly set up downhaul and outhaul is in specific training drills that concentrate on those moves, not when generally sailing around. Just my opinion; others may have very different ideas that could suit them better as it all depends on individual strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, TOW, etc.

I also save time by rolling the main around the mast, which is better for the sail as well. Down here it's standard practice for those who are training regularly, from Olympians down.

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 21 Jan 13 at 11:58am

My system takes less than a minute Chris, it stays rigged on the mast so just a case of threading through the eye and tying off (and feeding through the deck plates of course).

-------------
Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74