Recent content by AndyG

Here's a pic of the new style blocks: Front boom block, the all-in-one traveller and the end of boom block

If they are blue with a simple roller inside, they are the old style. If they are black with ball bearings inside the wheel and a metal reinforcement inside the hanging eye, they are the new type.

To report back, my boat is now secured with a marine-grade combi lock and chain, with a Kryptonite cable running through the dagger board casing. Seems to be as secure as it could be without locking it in a garage. If someone really wanted to take it, they could, but that's pretty much true of...

I doubt you could fit anything that would perform significantly better than the latest legal Harken bb blocks, so why look for anything different? I've just fitted a set of these - they work superbly and a nice upgrade from the original std ones.

I did this job a few days ago. I used M5 ss bolts and nyloc nuts, along with some ss penny washers. Make sure you coat metal-to-metal contact points with lanolin when assembling. I used 40mm long bolts, drawn up through the holes in the boom by using some string to draw through a long length of...

I've acquired a Rooster carbon tiller and extension with the Laser I bought at the weekend. The current universal joint seems quite stiff. Also, the tiller and extension have been stored connected and folded for a long time, so the joint is deformed in the opposite direction to its in-use...

Thanks for your input everyone. Seeing the foils in person cleared up any questions I had - they had been finely sanded just to remove the paint finish on the trailing edges. The profile had not been changed, so they are legal - they are also in my possession as I bought the boat! I'm now the...

Yeah, I did wonder that too. Why would someone do this? I doubt much if any performance gain would be had. It's not class legal either is it? EDIT: actually, I suppose it could reduce hum and improve speed. I guess it's a sign it was campaigned....?

Hi all, I know most of the typical signs that a Laser may have had a hard life: inspection ports, soft deck, plenty of dings, end-for-ended mast etc etc. However, do you think foil paintwork wear is a good sign? The boat I am looking at (not in the flesh, just pictures) looks in reasonable...

You hit the nail on the head there, Torrid. My issue is really one of mindless idiots rather than theft - it would take a very dedicated thief to take boats from our club given that its a raised reservoir that requires using a (locked) power winch to get boats down from their berths (at least if...

As a soon-to-be owner of a Laser, I will have to lock the boat up at the dinghy park for the first time this weekend. There is a chain running along the front of the Laser berths to lock onto, as well as another chain or pole at the back. Can anyone recommend security measures? I am thinking...

Not yet. Unfortunately, the sale fell through. Looking at a different boat now but the seller is asking too much for it. Going to see it next weekend if I can agree sensible money before making the trip. It has gxd kit. Much younger boat (2005).

Thanks. I guess I will need to look into the various legal configurations and do my own flavour. Re priority upgrades, I agree re the kicker. However, if I'm updating the kicker and outhaul and adding the new deck fittings, I'm most of the way there so I may as well do the lot and have done with...

Excellent. Exactly the info (and more!) that I needed. If the new fittings come with necessary screws, I guess all I'd need is marine sealant and the kit parts. Thanks for the advice.

Hello all. First post here. I'm considering making an offer on a '98 laser that has the std controls. I know that I would like to upgrade to the full XD controls at some point. Is it much effort to do this or should I hold out for a younger boat that has the new fittings already? From looking at...