New to lasers

sirena

New Member
Ok i. kinda new to lasers, i used them for the first time last year in Greece. So this year i went out and brought one. I live inland in Spain by the Ebro a huge expanse of water and when the wind blows here it blows and gets stronger as the day goes on. I have alot of questions some i have researched online others im at lost with. Anyway, why does the traveller block get caught on the tiller extension when im tacking, its really annoying...
 
The tiller extension shouldn't be anywhere near the traveler blocks when tacking... or at any other time either. It should point forward and its outer end should be close to the ratchet block in the middle of a tack.

How long are your tiller and extension?
 
The tiller extension shouldn't be anywhere near the traveler blocks when tacking... or at any other time either. It should point forward and its outer end should be close to the ratchet block in the middle of a tack.

How long are your tiller and extension?
\sorry my mistake ...not the tiller extension...the tiller
 
In that case, it's probably that you're not rolling the boat enough, and/or not letting enough sheet out in the middle of the tack. If the wind is very light, you can also loosen the traveller line a bit (a centimetre is already a lot).

You might also want to check your tiller chafe plate (or roller) if there's something that catches the block.
 
Basics first, make sure the tiller runs through the traveler properly. I'm guessing this is not the issue, as you probably wouldn't be able to tack at all.

Laser-Rigging-Traveler-Rudder-Tiller-Lg.jpg


Even with the proper setup, the traveler blocks will still catch on the tiller depending on how much tension you have in the traveler. Racers like to keep it tight when sailing upwind for proper sail trim. If you aren't racing, maybe try easing the traveler some. You may not be able to point as high.

A flat carbon fiber tiller like the one in the photo helps, too. However, they can be pricey.
 
In that case, it's probably that you're not rolling the boat enough, and/or not letting enough sheet out in the middle of the tack. If the wind is very light, you can also loosen the traveller line a bit (a centimetre is already a lot).

You might also want to check your tiller chafe plate (or roller) if there's something that catches the block.
What is a tiller chafe plate...
 
What is a tiller chafe plate...
It is the thin piece of metal shielding the tiller (on the picture) from wear and reducing the friction between the tiller, the traveler and the blocks. This is a tight spot on the laser, but the blocks will get caught less when you make more decisive tacks.
 
As Lali said, if you're not racing competitively, then the traveler doesn't need to be super tight. before you launch just set the trav tension so that the block just 'clicks' the tiller with a couple pounds of upward pull on the sheet as you roll it past the tiller.
As your tacks get better and more forceful you can tighten the trav gradually.
 
1. Your tiller needs to run under the aft part of the traveler line.
2. Your traveler line may be too tight. It should have just enough tension so that the blocks run over it (when gybing or tacking) but don't get stuck on your tiller.
 
It is the thin piece of metal shielding the tiller (on the picture) from wear and reducing the friction between the tiller, the traveler and the blocks. This is a tight spot on the laser, but the blocks will get caught less when you make more decisive tacks.
I don't have such metal plate I have a roll 16278425871673876515567909142914.jpg
 
Mine is from a Institution in Berlin for the research and Development of sports equipment. My Trainer gave it me it was from one of his sailors
 
Oh, it's made by FES! Didn't know it still exists, I remember them from building rather neat-looking 470s back in the 1980s. (Most of those boats were ugly brown though, but some were cool blue.) Looks like they're not selling anything but bike and rowing boat parts right now.

_
 

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