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When going from a run to a beat I need to trim the mainsheet a lot, fast. So I pull it with one hand, hold the sheet with the tiller hand, and re-grip with the other hand. The problem I have is that I usually end up holding it in the tiller hand between just my thumb and forefinger. That is okay...

Does anyone have plans for how to convert a trailer so that it caries the boat upright but supported under the gunnels, not on the bottom of the hull?

I may be spending a week in Avalon or Stone Harbor this summer. It appears from maps that there is very limited water on the bayside and probably not much opportunity for good sailing. Is this true? Are there any good places for sailing and launching in that vicinity? Thanks.

I'm thinking of buying a racing simulator. There are two by Posey that look interesting, Advanced Racing Simulator and Sailing Tactics Simulator. I saw Advanced Racing Simulator at work today and was impressed. Can anyone compare the two simulators? Website: http://www.poseysail.com/

James City County near Williamsburg , Virginia acquired a new park on the James River -- it used to be a private campground. It is right next to the Jamestown ferry, for those of you familiar with the area. There is a beautiful beach from which you can launch boats, and the section of the...

I need to apply mast wear strips, but the adhesive from the old ones is still there, and does not want to let go. So far I've tried Goo Gone and acetone, with little effect. What works?

I was out trying to learn roll tacks, and have a question. When I heel the boat to windward, what is the best way to hold on and avoid falling out of the boat? In Tillman's book on p. 69, there is a useful set of photos, but I can't see how the sailor stays on board in the second picture. Do...

Is there anything in the rules to prevent me from putting an extra clamcleat on the deck? I'm re-rigging my old style outhaul, running it forward to the mast and through a block tied to the mest, down to the deck and through the cunningham fairlead. Then I'd like to run it back and cleat it on...

For those of you interested in recreating a vintage Laser, there is an old Elvstrom Laser sail on ebay (item # 220415713779).

The old Laser I'm fixing up no longer has the wood backing plates needed to mount mainsheet cleats on the deck. Is there any way to replace them or mount the cleats other than cutting holes in the deck? I have one inspection port installed near the mast tube, but no one has arms long enough to...

How do you adjust the vang when sailing? (I have an old style vang set up for 6:1 purchase. It seems that in order to pull on the vang line, I should position my body under the boom, which under windy conditions, would cause me to capsize. Do you have to point nose to wind to adjust the vang?

Is a 1974 Laser likely to be numbered 12504?

I'm fixing up an older Laser that has some damage to the deck in various places along the gunwales. It seems that some impacts have broken the top surface of the deck, whatever it is made of, revealing some other core material. My question is, what should I do in these places where the top hard...

Laser and other sailors around Williamsburg need to mobilize to get James City County to include sailing in its planning for parks. There is a new park right on the James River where the Jamestown Campground used to be. It is the best public access to the James River near Williamsburg that...

I just installed a new mainsheet block. I bought a spring to go with it, but it was hard to install. Instead, I cut a section of foam pipe insulation and put that around the shackle and the eyestrap, and secured it by wrapping some duct tape around the outside. It does a great job of holding...

I have 4mm swiftcord for my old style vang. The problem is that it cleats too easily. The line won't run through the block without getting cleated in the jam cleat. What is a good diameter for this line? John

Today I went to Fishing Bay Yacht Club to race my new (to me) 1985 Laser, and had a great time. My rigging needs a lot of work, but I still was able to maintain contact with the fleet (five boats) and even avoid finishing last (hooray!!). I did best in the light air races but was hopeless in...

I'll be spending a week in Ocean City, NJ and need to know if it is worth taking a Laser. I've been there before and have not found good places to launch a boat like a Laser. Anyone out there familiar with good launching spots in OC, NJ?

The 1985 Laser I got last week has a crack in the cockpit around the bailer hole. When I roll the boat back and forth, I can see the bailer hole moving up and down independent of the floor of the cockpit. This seems to indicate that the cockpit and the hull have become separated. Any...

I just bought a used 1985 Laser today. A few questions. First, are there any Laser sailors in or around Williamsburg who would be interested in sailing together? I'm a reasonably experienced sailor, but in a Thistle and a Sunfish. I've never sailed a Laser before and would like to speed up the...