Deck Cleats

[CaptainAhab]

I have always taken the deck cleats off of Lasers. They always seemed to cause capsizes or just be in the way. Finally I see a pro use them for what looks like an awful tack. He's the one an only Robert Scheidt on his way to winning the 2013 Laser Worlds.

Time to reconsider?

tack starts at 1:12

 

[Carmen Kooij]

If your cleats are causing you to capsize you are not using them right. I only use them for short periods of time when I need a my hand to change my trim about once or twice a day.

I agree with you that the cleats are in the way. Everytime I go out I come back with bruises on the inside of my knees as I keep ending up on top of them when I come out of my roll tack.
If you are happy with your technique without the cleats I would not put them back on. One pro using them is not a very good reason to change your entire way of sailing.

I like the trick Scheidt is using in his rolltack, I'm going to try it next week. It might help me with my legs getting caught up in the sheet.