radial sail with metal "cup" at the head

[larrys]

I have a couple of old radial sails with a metal cup attached with a piece of line at the top. Is this a legit laser sail? One appears to be in pretty decent condition. What's the deal?

 

[Rob B]

I have a couple of old radial sails with a metal cup attached with a piece of line at the top. Is this a legit laser sail? One appears to be in pretty decent condition. What's the deal?

Sounds like on of the 80's "M-rigs" where the sail could be raised and lowered on the mast.

 

[larrys]

Assuming the cloth is in decent shape are they worth messing with?

 

[Rob B]

If it's the only sail you have and gets you on the water then sure! Otherwise, I'd stick with the updated designs.

 

[larrys]

Thanks, I'll just keep it in a pile with the other old sails that came with the boat.

 

[torrid]

Did some of the early Radial rigs, like 1991-1992, have the metal cap too?

 

[jeffers]

Did some of the early Radial rigs, like 1991-1992, have the metal cap too?

I think you could be right. I seem to recall the M sails had a black M in the Laser logo (I could be wrong through).

There is what looks like a radial at my local club. I have looked at it up close and it certainly has the correct length upper and lower mast as the radial. I seem to recall the M had a shorter upper mast (which made it too stiff).

 

[dredies]

The original Radial rigs had the cup and halyard system. It was changed to the same method as the standard rig in the mid-nineties. It was also at this time that the colour sail combination was dropped in favour of white sails only.