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Towing a laser - any tips? |
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Sallya48
Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
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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
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423zero
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406 |
Post Options 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. |
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Sallya48
Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 18 at 11:19am |
Thank you! That's helpful S
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Eisvogel
Posting king Joined: 09 Dec 16 Location: Birmingham Online Status: Offline Posts: 135 |
Post Options 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 |
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Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986
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PeterG
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 818 |
Post Options 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.
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Peter
Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
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piglet
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514 |
Post Options 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. |
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Sallya48
Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 18 at 7:50am |
Thank you everyone - all really helpful stuff. S
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deadrock
Groupie Joined: 24 Jun 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Post Options 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.
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