Laser 2 forestay, jib, and shroud question

Chicagoguy

New Member
I recently inherited my late dad’s Laser 2 (originally purchased in the USA ca. 1984). My dad and I sailed it together over many summers when I was younger but it has been over 15 years since I have been out on it and much more since we sailed it regularly. I am getting reacquainted with the rigging and had a couple of very basic questions,

1. My dad and I used a shackle to connect the forestay to the U-bolt on the prow. I see it is recommended to tie the forestay to the U-bolt Instead. Can anyone recommend (a) length and type of rope to use and (b) preferred knots to use when affixing the forestay?

2. For novice day sailing, where on the shroud brackets should you pin the shroud. (I understand pros adjust rig tension per conditions, but I’m looking for a good all weather beginner default setting). On my first “getting reacquainted” sail, I used the fourth hole from the top but I suspect this may be too loose.


3. For best jib tension, which tooth below the halyard hole should you hook the jib halyard loop onto? I hooked it onto the second tooth from the top on my recent reintro sail but suspect it may need more tension.

I have a lot of special memories with my dad on this boat! Thanks in advance help with these questions.
 
1. The shackle is not necessary but if you prefer it to tying and untying that’s fine.
(a) The length of the rope part depends on the length of the wire part, which may have varied over the years. (This is nowhere as critical as for the other wires, to which we’ll get next.) You can initially tie it so that the mast rake without the jib looks rather extreme (but not so extreme that the mast heel pops out of the mast step!). You can then shorten it after you’ve found which shroud positions you want to use.
A thinnish polyester rope will do, I believe the original was 4 mm Marlow Prestretch. Not critical.
(b) Your choice! Bowlines are always fine, of course.

2. Something like ”the fourth hole from the top” is absolutely (and regrettably) meaningless, because the shroud lengths varied between the mast suppliers, and most likely over the years, too.

3. Same as with the shrouds: the jib halyard length wasn't standardized by the mid-1990s, and probably not after that, either.

What you have to do is to measure the mast rake at different shroud/jib halyard settings. Choose a random shroud setting at first, and then tighten the jib halyard enough to bend the mast forward a few centimetres. (You need to pull hard on the forestay to do this.) Then attach a long tape measure to the main halyard, raise it to normal sailing position, and read the measure where it touches the gunwale on the centreline at the transom.

If the reading is close to 630 cm, fine - you can keep that as an all-around position. If you’re off by 5 cm or more, repeat the procedure as many times as needed.

The Laser 2 is actually quite easy to tune because you really don’t need to measure rig (de facto jib luff wire) tension and have no spreaders to adjust. You want to use more rake in heavier wind, but that’s for later. Just set the forestay (rope part) length so that you can easily attach the shrouds a couple holes further down from your basic setting.

What’s the transom code (HIN) of your boat? (Post pictures, too!)

_
 
Thank you very much! This is super helpful. I really appreciate the ability to take advantage of others' knowledge of the L2, and am sure I will definitely back with further questions.

I misremembered the model year. It is an '86, not an '84. The HIN is Z1D05378J586. I will take some pics next time I am out and post them. It is in good shape for an almost 40 year old boat, with most of the original rigging!
 
Here's a pic of one of my setups..just because. A week or so ago. Yay.. >> gets no respect! :)
20220814_174812.jpg
 
Well, the crew size is right :)

But where's your CLEW TIE-DOWN? :confused: (I think I've mentioned this before :rolleyes: )

_
I swear....if I look at the piece of line again and wonder what it is. Hahaha.. I need to leave it o. The sail.. kinda funny.. thx for the remi der..
 

Back
Top