Smoother control for outhaul line (powerpack)

mee168

New Member
Hi,

Just joined Laser Forum today. I am currently sailing a Laser Radial with powerpack rig. However, I noticed the outhaul control line does not run smoothly. Meaning, it feels abit stiff when I want to tighten it under stronger wind condition and it does not smoothly release when I want to ease it for lighter wind condition.

Is there any tip to make this a smoother operation? :confused:

mee.
 
couldn't find a picture of this type of outhaul package rigged up anywhere on the net.

Do you have a picture, or tell us how you have it rigged? Some configurations are better than others, but everyone has their own way of doing the outhaul.

welcome to the forum!
 
http://www.lasersailing.com/download...ode%201515.pdf

I have the outhaul rigged just like that, i think that it runs really good, if it had more purchases the tail would get stuck in everything in the cockpit..
i just found that with this configuration the shockcord has to be really tight so that it is easy to ease off the outhaul in lighter conditions.
but do as you like the most.
 
Not to hijack this thread, but when did these changes get posted for voting? First that I have seen or heard of the proposals. Also the first time I've ever seen the 2005 changes documented. Seems like those of us who register our email address everywhere related to the Laser class could get an update once and a while.

Has this been posted elsewhere on the Forum and I missed it?

gouvernail said:
You need the new almost legal but not yet sleeve. Go to the ILCA website and see it and then vote>>>>
http://www.laserinternational.org/rules2005.htm
 
Tensioning the shockcord might help one way, but it seems that it does not move in either direction. Do the lines fill stiff? I had similar problems when I bought my used boat. I replaced the lines and now it is great. For the line that cleats I used maffioli swiftcord and for the other line spectra. It runs great.
I have set it up slightly differently then the pictures show. I have two single blocks close to the mast, one block with becket for the cleat. It is the same idea as yours, but the whole purchase is at the front of the boom.
GWF
 
Thanks all_ratone & Georg for your technical comments to my issue.

I have just bought new ropes for my outhaul and downhaul control. The current ones are short and getting worn off. The new ropes belong to Dyneema 4mm type. I am not sure how good they are and will they help me resolve me problem. I will be changing the ropes over this weekend.

I also got new shockcord as the old one seems tough to pull and tie on.
Basically, am trying to do a 'makeover' to my boat and hoping the outhaul will run better.

There is another thing that is making me curious. Why is outhaul usually rigged on the port side and downhaul on the starboard side? Almost everyone is using this configuration and illustrations on books and internet are showing the same... Any idea? I am just curious why.
 
You're welcome mee168.
I have the supplied red vectran rope for the primary control line and dyneema 4mm for the second one.
Another thing that is really important to make the outhaul smooth is the clew tie down, make sure you have a good rope that doesn't stretch and slides well in the boom.
The downhaul is rigged on the starboard side because when rounding a mark to a downwind leg, when you ease it sometimes it gets stuck in the gooseneck and if it is on the starboard side it will be easy to realise it.
 
It makes sense to me now on why the downhaul is rigged on the starboard side. Thanks.

I already got the velco crew strap for the clew tie down. It is good and easier to tie when wind is stronger. Used to have tough time with the rope one when wind picked up while rigging.

Have another question on how tight should I pull before I tie the bungy shockcord to the clew strap? Just want to verify if I am correct: we should pull and tie it when the outhaul line is at its tight-ess. So that it will bounce back when outhaul line is being release. Am I right?
 

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