Recent content by madyottie

  1. M

    Outhaul

    I agree with the others...Teflon spray works well. Shop around a bit, I found a really good one in the UK called GT85, for around £3 a can, from memory Prolube was around £8 and Mclube around £11 at the time. Those prices could be wrong, I just know it was less than half the price of the other...
  2. M

    Advice? Downwind sailing in strong winds

    One thing nobody seems to have mentioned is sailing by the lee. In near survival winds its the safest way. Sheet the boom in to around 75-80 degrees, (so about 12" - 18" in from 90 degrees), and turn until the wind is just past straight behind the boat. Get it right and you can feel the boat...
  3. M

    Class Politics the laser class "one design" sails and spars

    Yes indeed! And on a closely related subject, why the difference in spars and fittings depending on origin? Aus spars are stiffer, and the collars are a tighter fit into the bottom section. The UK spars are softer, at least in my experience. I've sailed with both, a lot. Old and new. Interested...
  4. M

    Class Politics the laser class "one design" sails and spars

    Yes indeed! And on a closely related subject, why the difference in spars and fittings depending on origin? Aus spars are stiffer, and the collars are a tighter fit into the bottom section. The UK spars are softer, at least in my experience. I've sailed with both, a lot. Old and new. Interested...
  5. M

    soft hull

    I know this is an old thread, but I haven't been on here for a while. In fact, the site was on a different server and everything was simple! I've regularly been rubbished at races around europe for turning up with my 30-something age laser, and second hand sails. Plus me being a bit on the...
  6. M

    In training ... seriously ... again!

    In training ... seriously ... again!
  7. M

    soft hull! sailable?

    just out of interest... got kids? Nothing makes a hull go like that quicker than having the neighbours (or your own) kids climb all over it!
  8. M

    Collapsed leech

    Agreed! thats how mine always looked the moment before the big pump happened. But usually with a lot more wndward roll on! :D
  9. M

    Gybing again

    Here's how I do it... depending on present form. When I'm in form... -Sail fast on a broad reach, pick a time when I'm going down a wave. -Ease some mainsheet. -As the boat rolls to windward it starts to turn all by itself - control the rate of turn with the rudder (but only if its turning too...
  10. M

    Shipping down under.

    Thats what I thought, but when I looked into it, the replacement cost for a good Laser and Topper in New Zealand is far higher than what I would get for the two boats if sold here. The Topper especially does hold sentimental value - Aside from essentials and laptops, we're not taking anything...
  11. M

    Shipping down under.

    Hi all, As some of you are aware, my family and I are moving from GBR to NZL later this year. :) Does anyone have any thoughts on the best company to move two small sailing boats? Or alternatively, are there any NZL/AUS sailors taking boats back after the 2010 Masters that have extra...
  12. M

    Cartopping without a roofrack...

    I'm not sure whether you can get them in the US, but here you can get a thing called a softrack. Its really just some straps with padded sleeves. Designed for carrying surfboards, but the double version is wide enough to take a laser. I dont know anything about the cars you have though, so cant...
  13. M

    Up wind ouhaul setting (Radial Rig) HELP!

    While we're on about outhaul tension, this is slightly different but.... In the March '09 issue of Y&Y, (page 42) they mention that Tom Slingsby uses a lot more outhaul,and less vang, than anyone else upwind when its blowing, and "planes" upwind. Has anyone here ever sailed against him or seen...
  14. M

    keeping the #%^& boat flat ????

    Sorry Rob, but...... I have to disagree on this (que up the super-vang brigade:) ) although I guess it does depend on how big you are. As a heavyweight, I find that I'm fastest with the vang set so that when I ease from 2blocked, that my boom goes up about 4-7 inches before really going out that...
  15. M

    Windward Capsize Help

    My first thought is that the vang may have been off a bit too far, which would cause a windward roll as the top of the sail twisted forward. Next time you find yourself in this position, whack a small amount of vang on, and then get the boat going on a reach. Once you're going, ease the main a...

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