Recent content by mange

Good luck! I noticed some details in trying different trim positions (still learning..) - For me it seems the cunningham is more sensitive for trimming. If I trim cunningham a little too hard I notice quite a loss in power/pointing ability when going upwind. A "little too hard" is when the...

Have almost the same experience as you chrisfsi, sailed slow with too much outhaul and cunningham in medium wind - until a got the advice to losen both from an experienced sailor. I agree with all outhaul advices to chrisfsi, but don't forget the cunningham when de-powering. The cunningham...

Ok, after a second look I can see some tapering work on some pictures (not the first) I believe you got it right, I missed it on the pictures. When I did the same I grinded/tapered off more, maybe an inch or so. /Magnus

Nice work! Did the same on my foil too - A small advice if you want it to last longer;): Taper the area around the broken edge (both sides of the foil) until you get a "V"-shape. Doing this you get a much larger area for the polyester/glass-fibre to attach/glue on. The resulting repair can...

Me agin - did a quick measure and find that the "transoms round" must be the gunwale rounding at the middle of the transom. My boat/mast rake-measure is 150,4 inches. Seems ok according to Ben...

Hi, I have a -93 Laser hull which I repaired the mast step during the winter. I wonder about the "ideal" mast rake, because I might have altered the rake of the mast due to extra layer of epoxy/glassfibre inside the mast step. I read in Ben Ainslies book that Lasers are produced (one...

Hi, The rivets are 4,8 mm diameter, but I'm not sure about the length(s). The length is depending on the item you are mounting. Believe its 12mm length for vang plate and block lacing eyes, maybe ok for end plugs and cleat too. For the fairlead you need quite longer, maybe 16mm is ok. NOTE...

Chris, if using rivets, you should use monel type since they are less galvanic corrosive to the alu.tube. On the other hand, the vang steel plate is the biggest problem here anyway. I use bolts (M4 machine tread, 4,0 diam.) in A4 quality (stainless steel/acidproof) and M4 nuts with nylon...

Hi, I'm just curious how to practice, especially upwind. Do you just look at SOG (speed-over-ground) in upwind? Ideal scenario would be to somehow read the VMG (actual speed towards wind) but that kind of equipment is far-out for a Laser and aimed only for bigger keelboats. I have a small...

Hi, I also looked around a bit - finally bought a Casio W-753 and it works for fine me. Ok in price also. It has a "yacht-timer" - during countdown it beeps every minute plus 30sec left. The most important is the beeping each second during the final 10 seconds ending with longer tone on...

I've spoke to I guy here in Sweden - he's addicted to kites - quite advanced stuff. He built them with carbon tubes from Excel (made in Finland). These carbon rods are top quality made from high modulus carbon fibre, Excel also make other carbon tubes for floor hockey shafts etc. The Kite guy...

Ok, got it! Think this will work well as long the paddle shaft is solid. Why not turning the paddle 90 degrees (flat align the paddle blade)? Then you can skip the long side cutting of the shaft, which will weaken the shaft in all cases - the strength lies in the outer laminate. It doesnt...

Good suggestions! Achmed, I've also thought about moulding the hockey stick in place, but how to remove it after the epoxi has cured? Maybe have some thin oil or wax or something on the inside of the rudder so the epoxi doesnt glue it all together? If this is solved it must be the best way and...

Hi, I've just started my winter project - building a carbon tiller + extension. A fun thing to do and it saves me a bit of money too...if I succeed :) Perhaps someone else is interested or have some own experience to share. I think I've solved most 'how-to-do' details, but I have some wonders...

Well, I didn't meant to bring it to an higher scientific level, just to translate subjective attributes as soft, stiff etc. You have pointed out the buyer checkpoints and the document works fine as a buying guide and my comment about quantifying stiffness is maybe a little bit off topic for...