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Making an old Laser go fast |
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GybeFunny
Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Oct 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 403 |
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Topic: Making an old Laser go fast Posted: 03 Oct 11 at 12:39pm |
Check the hull doesnt leak, if it does then stopping the leak should be a high priority.
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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: 03 Oct 11 at 1:36pm |
All the above is good advice plus giving the underwide of the hull a good clean can make a difference.
Aside from that just get out in it and sail. If you cannot/do not wish to attend the UKLA events then speak to the people at the front of the fleet at you local club, maybe even tap up the fleet captain to run some training days. We have done this at Hunts for the last few years with a lot of success.
In terms of what you should spend your money on, were it me I would spend in the following order (this is assuming the hull needs no work and the spars are in good oncition and straight):
1) Control lines - mainsheet and kicker are key following by cunningham then outhaul. The XD kickers are quite expensive but worth every penny (if you can get the Harken version then go for it but the Holt one does the job reasonably well).
2) Sail - to start with you can get away with a sail that is past it's best but as you improve definitely conder upgrading your sail. I would advise against using a new sail right from the off as you may wreck it by incorrect use of the controls (it is very easy to damage a Laser sail using too much cunningham when it is not required.
Finally try not to fiddle with the controls too much (at least until your are confident and competent in the boat). You can lose a lot more time by messing around than you eer would by having a control line set slightly wrong. Too many new sailors want to mess around with the controls all the time rather than getting their eyes out the boat (and looking at the sail).
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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fab100
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 11 at 3:44pm |
1. Buy some hikers
2. What Jeffers said 3. Pull sail controls harder - I wrote this guide originally for our Frensham Laser Newbies: http://clubsailor.com/going-faster/in-lasers/ Clive
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haroosh
Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 521 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 11 at 4:26pm |
sell it and buy a 100.....
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Keith
RS100 GBR 116 (XLR8) |
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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: 03 Oct 11 at 6:14pm |
When you can buy a competitive (at club level) RS100 for the money you can get a competitive (at club level) Laser for then I am sure a lot of people will.....
(I know you meant it tongue in cheek....)
The advice on hikers is good....plus make sure you get your hiking technique sorted out early, toe strp length is key here. You should have your legs as straight as possible, this reduces the pressure on the knee ligaments (a common injury in Laser sailors) and decent hiker help with fatigue in your leg muscles by spreading the load and providing support where it is needed.
I have a set of Rooster pros (with movable pads). I love them, others hate them but definitely try to build it in to your budget. If you have a birthday coming up then chandlery related gift vouchers might be high up your list....this ploy has worked for me on occasions where I have wanted something and didn't have the cash floating around.
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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kingdacks
Posting king Joined: 04 Oct 11 Location: Poole Online Status: Offline Posts: 148 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 11 at 5:39pm |
I purchased a old laser last year and it was my best investment its yellow and it sails just as fast as all over club boats.It could be a winning boat if i was perhaps a better sailor.I believe its a very light hull the bottom end of class legal.
My top tips since getting the boat My boat does have full xd
New sail
New tiller
New mainsheet
Also sand the foils to take off oil and stickyness
and hike hard
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EmmyC
Newbie Joined: 30 Oct 10 Location: Berkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 39 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 11 at 5:54pm |
Thanks all for your input, much appreciated.
I have not got the boat yet, but I think I shall be picking it up in late October. I will be checking the sail's wear and tear, the condition of the blocks and sheets and I will be pressure testing the hull before sanding and polishing it, along with the rudder. I also have no idea whether or not it is XD (I hope so!), my uncle said he spent quite a bit on it and that he won a few races with it, so it sound as if it might have the upgrades. Should I not need to fork-out for some XD bits I will be purchasing some hikers, I will also have to keep my hiking strap quite long as I am a bit of a shortie ;) My club has its Winter Series coming up soon, so I should have a chance to take it for a spin on the water before the season draws to a close, if not, race! Once again guys, thanks for the help ;) |
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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: 05 Oct 11 at 10:41am |
Sounds like it might be a reasonable boat Emmy. If he has spent some oney you have get the full XD kit which is great. Hikers are definitely the next port of call.
Enjoy it and if it is not for you then you can always sell it on and buy something more suitable...
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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winging it
Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 11 at 1:55pm |
I have also recetnly acquired an old laser just to bring my single handed sailing back up to speed following a looooooonnnnnng break. I have found it useful to watch various training clips on youtube - there are some from Jon Emmett and many others- so I can attempt to sort out issues such as the lovely catching mainsheet on the gybe. I know this is no substitute for on the water training, but it does help. There are also loads of books and especially good are the Rooster dvds.
Plus of course you can attempt to persuade your local expert eg the very lovely Jeffers to give you hints at club level! |
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the same, but different...
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rogue
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 11 at 2:13pm |
get yourself one of these:
http://www.roostersailing.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1&Category_Code=lsail as Jim says a new sail will make a massive difference and there's really no need to pay the exorbitant price for an 'official sail' just to get you and your (with respect) old boat going in the local club racing. |
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