Recent content by jim anderson

  1. J

    Competitive Life of a Laser?

    I sold my first Laser, hull 45990, because it was too soft to be competitive. While making the decision on whether to replace it or not, I sailed the one I was thinking of buying, another used boat which was substantially newer, hull 152921. Both had only been raced and had been exquisitely...
  2. J

    To Roll or not to roll. That is the question

    Re: To fold or not to fold. That is the question. My wife isn't that old, but Bigfoot and Elvis both told me personally that I should roll it around a PVC pipe and put it in a long bag. My question is, does it matter at all if you go head to foot, which is easier, or foot to head, which...
  3. J

    If I had an old Laser I'd--

    The "filling the hull with helium" feasability study would be tempting, but I think I would attach ice skates on the bottom for the November to April sailing season.
  4. J

    Trailer, dolly or both?

    One thing to consider is the tounge weight of the trailer - if it's too light the trailer won't travel well and may wobble side to side a lot. Because the Kitty Hawk and similar designs have a low tounge weight I've heard this can be a problem. Because I'm cheap, I didn't buy the Kitty Hawk...
  5. J

    Watching your self sail your laser ????

    I found a waterproof case at Gander Mountain (a sporting goods chain) which is about the shape and size of a lunchbox, and is clear. I think I might try my video camera in it. Of course it will be a far cry from a transom-mounted steady-cam or anything like that, but if reading these postings...
  6. J

    Best place to buy a new Laser sail? (USA)

    I have kept an eye out for Laser parts on eBay, did see a new sail only one time that I can think of, bought it, and when all was said and done I saved about 15%, or about $65. I think it was a fair deal, but I would have no problem going to my local dealer next time. By the way, it's not...
  7. J

    Used laser price?

    I recently paid $2500 for a 1996 boat with about three seasons of use, upgraded rigging, dolly, two sails in good shape but not new. It was a fair deal and I know of at least two other people who were ready to buy it, I just wrote the check first. Overall it sounds like what I bought is...
  8. J

    hiking bench

    The strap on my bench (above) does feel different than my boat in terms of the flexibility and feel, but the raging, aching burn that I get in my legs and abs is pretty much the same.
  9. J

    hiking bench

    Following up on my November 30th post, here are the pictures. It is basically the same as the one in Tillman's book, with three changes. One: the board at the very "outboard" end is turned 90 degrees so it doesn't hit your back if you lean back too far, and I rounded the top corners of the long...
  10. J

    hiking bench

    I built mine from the plans in Dick Tillman's book (ISBN 0-07-135788-2) with a couple modifications. First, there's a board at the very "outboard" end that will hit your back if you lean back too far. In my design I turned it 90 degrees so it lays flat on the floor, and notched the 48" peices...
  11. J

    Coldest Frostbite race

    There are some great stories here. The one that impresses me the most so far is sailing in Toronto in January. It must be about 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit? The pictures of Finland are cool (oooo, ouch no pun intended, no really...) but, at least in Minneapolis, you can have spring days where...
  12. J

    Coldest Frostbite race

    That is simply demented. I don't think I'll be moving to Finland anytime soon.
  13. J

    Coldest Frostbite race

    So yesterday, Thanksgiving 2005, the Calhoun Yacht Club in Minneapolis attempted to host it's very informal Thanksgiving Day Regatta. Typical Thanksgiving Day weather in Minnesota is usually below freezing, often with ice beginning to form around the edges of the lakes. Yesterday was brutal...
  14. J

    single-handed car-topping device...anyone interested?

    Whatever system he comes up with, I really hope that it works on taller vehicles like minivans and SUVs. Especially minivans. Especially my minivan. Lifting a boat up to a roof rack that is nearly six feet off the ground is pretty much impossible for one person, such a device could come in...
  15. J

    Watching your self sail your laser ????

    I mounted a regular 8mm video camera on the bow of my C-scow one time. Winds were about 8 to 10 so spray getting the camera wet wasn't a problem. It was on the bow facing aft, sitting on a small tripod which was bungeed to the bow eye. It worked great, and because the camera and the boat...

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