Sailing With Others Aboard

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Wildbank

Member

Does anyone have any tips or advice for taking a passenger along in lite to moderate wind. I have only spent half a season getting used to my Laser Pro yet (minus the terminology) I am fairly familiar. I have capsized only once and have managed a few thrilling afternoons in 20-25 knots winds.
 
Thanks for the responses. Cautious? Skilled? Lucky? I need to sail with some others to figure this out. I suspect I am cautious. I am in my early fifties and weigh 160. The Laser Pro really requires allot of muscle and stamina in some of the winds that I sail in. I suspect I am muscling my way around the lake in a way that is pretty sloppy or lacking finesse.

I grew up on Long Island Sound in NY sailing an old Alcor Sunfish and occasional Hobbies. I remember spending hours on the water in very strong winds (pre-thunderstorm winds). I used to think that sailing in a permanent state of "hiking-out" was the point of sailing. I didn't learn until recently that keeping the boat flatter in the water is the point. I have allot of experience and no expertise. I sail on Lake Lewisville in North Texas and have never seen another Laser on the water. I may have to trailer the boat to Arlington or elsewhere to meet up with other Laser sailors to compare and contrast what I am doing to stay upright out there.

Does anyone out there sail on Lake Lewisville?
 
Yes, after seeing others at my local lake sail two up, I tried it. In order to have good controll and room, my friend sat forward of the mast with her back against it and reached back to hold on, I sat back just a bit extra in the cockpit. At some point the wind picked up we had a great sail. It kind of reminded me of taking someone for a ride on the handlebars of a bike.
 
My son and I often sail two up. I also occasionally have another adult with me and they do sometimes sit forward of the mast and at other times they take the main in the cockpit.
 

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Good to see dad and son out together. I have taken my 11 year old out as well with no problems. Even let him go on his own in 2-3 knots. It looked great having him fully hiked in those conditions and blitzing past all the other sailors. I struggled in his Opti though!
 
Wildbank said:
Thanks for the responses. Cautious? Skilled? Lucky? I need to sail with some others to figure this out. I suspect I am cautious. I am in my early fifties and weigh 160. The Laser Pro really requires allot of muscle and stamina in some of the winds that I sail in. I suspect I am muscling my way around the lake in a way that is pretty sloppy or lacking finesse.

I grew up on Long Island Sound in NY sailing an old Alcor Sunfish and occasional Hobbies. I remember spending hours on the water in very strong winds (pre-thunderstorm winds). I used to think that sailing in a permanent state of "hiking-out" was the point of sailing. I didn't learn until recently that keeping the boat flatter in the water is the point. I have allot of experience and no expertise. I sail on Lake Lewisville in North Texas and have never seen another Laser on the water. I may have to trailer the boat to Arlington or elsewhere to meet up with other Laser sailors to compare and contrast what I am doing to stay upright out there.

Does anyone out there sail on Lake Lewisville?
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You need to get in touch with Fred, (The Gouv on this site). There are lots of Lasers in TX, but none on Lewisville. There used to be a group that sailed on White Rock in town on Wednesday evenings and some Sundays. Rush Creek Yacht Club on Ray Hubbard hosts 2 "dingy fest" events a year that most always gathers a decent Laser fleet.
 
Thanks All:

This has been really helpful. It is amazing to have access to such a fine group of folks from all around the world.
 
Might need more practice at capsize recovery before taking somebody else out. When I was a kid I used to sit in front of the mast on my dad's laser, (out of the way of the boom!). a small adult passenger could maybe also do this. If it is moderately windy and you want to 100% avoid a capsize then reef the sail by wrappping it round the mast a coule of turns.
 
Thanks Looper. I will give that a try. I have never reefed the sail for fear that it might cause some damage to the sail. I will read up on that procedure.
 
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