rigging issues

Bought a 1993 laser yesterday, it's in great shape but I'm having rigging issues. I don't believe the fellow I bought the laser from was a laser sailor. I think he bought it for his kids and they did not sail much.

The sail refuses to go the last 6", simply WILL NOT GO. Physically too tight on top. In the mean time I've got 6" of extra sail sitting on the goosneck. I'm really wondering if I have the wrong top section. Would this add up? It's an official laser sail, and all laser parts.

photos attached, maybe, if not I can email

thank you

kent

If both sections are from a laser, It will be the bottom section that is different on a radial.
But yes it looks like the bottom section is from a radial!

Download a copy of the rules, it has the lengths of the top and bottom sections (3600 and 2865mm IIRC)

http://www.laserinternational.org/sites/default/files/Current_Rules.pdf

Diagrams and lengths are towards the end of the document.

That will at least tell you if it's the wrong section, or a sail issue

I have come across a few sails / top section combos that are incredibly tight, ie could not be pulled down by hand..

It's not a big deal to open up the top of the sail tube to gain a little width (once you have the length issue sorted..)

First, thanks for the feedback. Next, there are no laser labels on either mast section. A standard danger for electrical warning label on the bottom section. Factory rivets on all hardware on lower section. Riveted caps on both top and bottom of both mast sections, they do not look homemade. A bend in the top section, no connection fittings on top mast section, only a ware mark, not sure if these fittings are post 93 or an after-market item. Also the connection is tight, no room for a fitting to enter bottom section.

However, overall length, bottom and top, when connected, is around 18'9", according to my homework, (hard to find) it should be 21' and I'm assuming this means connected height. This would solve the sail length issue. My bottom mast measures 9' 4.5". The top section is about 10' 2". So wrong bottom section? What do I have, what do I need?

As for the top of the sail not fitting, yes impossible to pull down, so I might look at stretching or having it opened a bit, as suggested. I would like to confirm, there's only one top mast made, only the bottom section varies.

Thank you again.

Problem solved, I notice the top mast had a top cap just like a sunfish, so I pulled out my sunfish mast and low and behold.. it's a sunfish mast and not a top section to the laser!

I noticed that in the very first picture... my question is, how did you get the SF mast into the laser bottom? there is a ring on the laser top that should sit snugly into the bottom. I'll have to see if I can rig my radial with a sunfish top...lol Glad you figured it out. See where you can get a used upper and you will be in business.

Believe it or not it fits, snug but it fits. Not knowing lasers I just thought it was a very silly design. Turns out, the fellow I bought it from also has a sunfish, a sunfish without a mast for the moment. This sunfish mast has a slight bend in it, something he told me was part of the design, the bend was about 12" off the bottom so it was a natural stop for the section going into the bottom section. Trying to line this bend up w/the boom was a major pain in the butt. I emailed a laser friend and told him what a goofy design this boat has. Has to be one for the books eh? I feel pretty silly.