Recent content by Gil

Hi Mike, Progress? Just got a 1/2 day training session at the club with a national instructor. 10 Laser tacking/gybing/starting/finishing/1 lap races on a very small course. We just worked on 1 topic: down wind- no wave strategy. How refreshing and stimulating! And a good work out. Can you get...

Hey Voodoo, well done! how does it feel/handle? will you keep working on the tiller? Don't forget sailing. Cheers

Hi Mike, welcome back! Laser uses your body differently than triathlons; you should be fine . Get yourself a good hicking pant (SEA, Zhik) and proper wet suit/ top/ gloves. Find yourself 1-3 sailing friends and go training & racing. Have fun!

I advise 7m; 6.5 m would give you less for the handle. I really like the system which seems popular for lighter sailors.

And now is the new system I am trying with more purchase; the red rope is 7.5 m long 4mm spectra;it is a bit long and 7m might be better. I am trying the Harken hook/block at the end of the boom which is connected with the 1 m long 4mm spectra. With the wind we are having, it won't be long...

Guys, I would like to show you the system I have used the last months and thank all of you for advises. The red rope is 5.5 m; 0.5 m shorter than I would like. I use an Allen hook/block at the end, that has worked surprisingly well in spite of many crashes and the hook not completely closing on...

radial sailor,Torrid is right: cold affects the sailor- not the (dry) boat. Fine. Mine (47747) did 23 years in Quebec in an unheated lake shed, and 8 in Australia. Remove the plug, empty/dry the boat, deposit it on 3 tires and wait for spring while reading your preferred strategy/go faster...

Voodoo, cool! Keep us informed with pictures. Which cross section and construction do you have in mind? I Just broke my carbon stick yesterday while surf landing ( crashing) on the beach . Will you also try making your stick? Cheers.

Laser is certainly a great class; this is my 3rd Laser over the last 36 years- first competitive . I have raced J24, and even Laser 28-against Bruce Kirby (great sailor by the way) . I have tried/raced 420, Hobbies,Taipan, Viper. This year I wanted a new competitive boat. I was very tempted by...

I just bought a new sail to race: AU$ 583; I can get an intensity for US$119. Laser sails are from the 70's, basic dacron, very simple to make and no innovation for the last 4o last years or so. My point: This is pitiful value. Why can't we have dimension and material specification standard and...

Hi Tom, Congratulation for your new boat, your first Olympic sailboat. I am sure you will enjoy the good balance and sensitivity of the Laser, and in a year or two, you will be looking forward to upgrade for the radial sail ( 60-75Kg), and maybe later the full rig ( 75-90Kg). Go on your boat...

Perfect! I will get a Ronstan 20. thanks.

Thanks guys. That solves my problem and provides great options.

I have my "new" 2011 laser that came with a block on the boom, a block on the sail and all the bits and pieces. I tried a few configurations for my outhaul, and searched on the web but nothing spectacular resulted. I am considering cutting the rope to adopt the conventional system. 2...