Laser for beginners.. is it easy?

I am new to sailing and wish to learn the laser technique. Will I be able to do it with ease. The main problem is that I have myopia and wear spectacles all the time. Other than that, I am a fit person and rate myself to have more than average core strength.

I am just beginning my classes at a place nearby. Just wondered how long does it take to learn the basic technique???

Re: Laser for begineers.. is it easy?

The basic technique is pretty easy to learn once you know the basic about sailing. Practice in lighter airs to begin with as the boat does become a handful pretty quickly once the breeze really kicks in. The mistake most new people to the lasers make are:

1) Sitting too far back
2) Not using enough kicker
3) Not using enough cunningham
4) Not keeping the boat flat

1 and 4 are the most important as the other 2 are not as important until you are getting in to an overpowered situation. You need to be fit too with lots of hiking involved. Invest in a good set of hikers (they will help save your legs) and learn the correct hiking technique (straight leg).

Re: Laser for begineers.. is it easy?

You're going to love the Laser. Like you, I learned to sail on the Laser. I was not so lucky as you to have instruction when I started. It took me a few months to learn the basics, mostly by reading in books and on here, TLF. Once I joined a sailing club where there is an active Laser/Radial fleet, I got all the advice I could ever need. Granted, because I'm a research-before-doing freak, the first few months were not so bad. Yes, I sat too far back, and let the boat heel over too much, and I really had no idea about how my speed/handling was affected by each trim adjustment, but I pressed on and had fun while at it. I learned something every time I took the boat out, and now can feel the fine adjustments. Now, I sit up close to the board-well in light air, can s-curve downwind, surf waves, steer with my bodyweight, and even almost know some of the racing rules. Get the Tilman book to read when you're not on the water. Watch Youtube vids of Laser sailing when you're net-surfing. In a week, you'll be hooked.

Re: Laser for begineers.. is it easy?

A lot of people makea big deal about laser technique. every boat has its quirks and its own technique. I think the laser is a fine boat to learn in, and you will pick it up right away. Listen to your instructors, as they have been well trained and have been in your shoes, too. one thing you can say about sailing and all boats, "a day to learn, a lifetime to master".

I wear glasses, too. Make sure you use an eyeglass retaining strap, or you will lose them for sure.

I learned to sail on a Laser about 4 years ago. It was incredibly fun, but I wouldn't say it was easy. Part of that was sailing on our lake, which has very gusty and shifty conditions. I'm still having great fun with it, and now that it's gotten cold, I'm going through withdrawal!

you should be fine. you just have to make sure ur strong with the boat. and ur sailing the boat isnt sailing you. you will see what i mean when u get in some more breeze

Its pretty easy to get the basic technique for lasers but be wary that the laser can be a bit unforgiving i.e deathrolls. I learnt to sail in Mirrors and minnows (similar to opti) and then moved up to a laser and had the basics but was blown away a bit by the sheer increase in speed and got to experience death rolling. I had to learn a few tricks such as not getting the mainsheet caught on the transom but it wasn't too hard its just the little things that make all the difference.

Well, It's simple enough to start out with, but I just found how trick it can be to race against others. I'm feeling pretty hooked, and the boat is easy to start off with, especially in the lighter air. I just keep my glasses tethered, and I generally don't have any problems. Good Luck!

I've never found laser sailing to be easy in anything above 10 knots. Give me 20 and....well.....lets just say sexymommy has it right.

you said that you've never sailed before... therefore i would try to find a learn to sail program or learn in a boat that works best with more than two people. then once you get the hang of it try a laser because like someone else said, the technique isn't big difference. but again learn all the aspects of sailing (or most anyways) before buying a laser

I joined a sailing club & learnt RYA 1 & 2 a year ago, sailed Picos & was instantly hooked. Picked up a cheap Laser & begain sailing during the winter.

Big mistake as the sea was rough & had high winds. Took me several weekends to go from one buoy to another without capsizing.

Still remember the feeling when I completed the race without falling in.

Now a year on I regulary race & although I finish at the back of the pack my sailing skills are much improved & the fun element is wicked.

My wife & 2 small children will be learning to sail next year.

In ending I would say keep persevering, ask questions, sail, sail, sail.