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Laser mainsheet -- cleat or no cleat? |
Post Reply | Page <12345 6> |
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PeterG
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 818 |
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Topic: Laser mainsheet -- cleat or no cleat? Posted: 08 Jul 17 at 10:52am |
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You don't need or want cleats on your laser - FACT
Don't claim opinions as fact. Even as alternative facts. I most certainly do want cleats on my Laser and having done both I'm quire sure about it. The fact that some are happy without and prefer things that way is not contested - I'm certainly not going to try and impose my preferences on others, so perhaps you could do the same?
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Peter
Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
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RS400atC
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jul 17 at 10:56am | ||
It's the puffy days when I find the sheet loads high. Breeze off the land, so quite variable. You don't want the sail too flat or you stop dead in the lulls, it's fairly hard on the sheet in the puffs. I've got a little carbon harken ratchet at the mo, and what I think is Rooster sheet. I might try a different block. Maybe a softer rope would grip in the block better. I end up jamming the sheet on the gunwhale on a long tack. Lots of people here use cleats on the deck and don't go slowly or fall in often. I've not tried a Mk2 sail yet, that might be easier as they like a bit more kicker in the light stuff? I've noticed that not using 'enough' kicker results in the traveller not always moving to the same place, despite the horse (bit of string) being pretty tight. |
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zippyRN
Far too distracted from work Joined: 14 Sep 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 437 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jul 17 at 10:57am | ||
being a fun sponge doesn;t come into it fitting or not of side deck cleats is optional , as is the exact model of cleat ( although for the use the get the cheapies that are / were the standard cleat are more than adequate )
fitting a centre jammer is also allowable, the last block is the one pieceof mainsheet hardware that is relatively free choice on the laser. |
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jeffers
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jul 17 at 3:25pm | ||
It is a matter of preference. I never had any on my Lasers but I sail inland on a small puddle where tacking on shifts is key and the legs are not that long.
On more open water you might want cleats.
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 17 at 1:15pm | ||
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Wiclif
Groupie Joined: 04 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 17 at 7:22pm | ||
I am thoroughly in favour of a proper mainsheet jammer.
It all depends, in my opinion, as to whether you can reliably flick the mainsheet out of the jammer. If you cant, then you are better to use just a ratchet block, preferably with cleats on the side deck. Cleats make a big difference to your chances of reliably surviving gybes when it is blowing. I can't see why sailors elect to have a mainsheet jammer in boats other than Lasers, yet seem unable to cope with them in a Laser |
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fab100
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 17 at 10:46pm | ||
I think the issue with a centre jammer for a laser is that the bit of boat is gets screwed on to is not horizontal, but slopes down towards the back. Consequently the jamming/unjamming angle varies depending how far aft you are sitting. If sitting aft, it won't go into the cleat. Sit forward and it won't come out. Personally, I rarely switch the ratchet on, even my irreplaceable Fredie takes feel away. I'd personally rather cheat and cleat it off when doing so does not really matter and the arms are tired. But mostly being a pond sailor, I'll just take the strain and keep the feel; adjustment needs to be pretty much constant. |
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Oinks
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Oct 14 Location: Bandol Online Status: Offline Posts: 267 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 17 at 11:41pm | ||
This might do the trick...one on each side...nice and shiny...envy of the boat park...
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laser193713
Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 17 at 10:15am | ||
I can understand the benefits of cleats on some boats. I don't understand how a cleat helps you gybe a laser when it's windy though...? Anyone care to explain this?
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transient
Really should get out more Joined: 21 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 715 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 17 at 1:03pm | ||
laser193713,
I suspect the reason there are so many advocates for Laser mainsheet jammers or cleats on this forum is more a concession to age and comfort. Fair enough, they're good reasons and like me the forum is getting older. No doubt there will come a time in the not too distant future when I'll want cleats as well.
I'm no expert on Lasers, I used to have one didn't like it but I have read loads of stuff on sailing lasers over the years and I can think of no technique, at any point of sail that lends itself to jammers or cleats. The time it takes to adjust sail controls can be handled by holding the mainsheet in the tiller hand. If you're fit, able and still have aspirations of improving (which is what this forum used to be about) don't bother with cleats. Edited by transient - 10 Jul 17 at 1:12pm |
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