Recent content by Owyn in Barnsley

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    New sail

    I put a new sail on my boat yesterday in about 15 to 20 knots, the old one was about to rip into two pieces. What a difference! speed was up generally all round and the boat was so controllable, upwind the gusts just made me go faster rather than initiating a massive fight with the helm! As...
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    gybing tricks?

    When I've nailed gybes in a blow I have some windward heel on the way in so when I apply some rudder the boat spins like a top, it also means you can get across the boat before the sail comes across. Because the boat is spinning so fast the boom won't come across until you snap the rudder...
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    Mainsheet block cam-cleat - legal or not?

    The optimum mainsheet tension rarely remains the same for too long, in waves you have to sheet in and out over waves even if the wind is constant, in light winds you can sheet in during a gust and ease it out when the wind drops, in heavy air the old ease, hike, trim comes into play. it's only...
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    Mainsheet block cam-cleat - legal or not?

    The type of block and any internal or external jamming devices are optional so you can have a swivelly cleat on there, I would personally rather have a hole in the head, it always jams when you don't want it to!
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    Bent Lower Mast

    I'd find a bin if I were you, they really don't wanna bend back! Also cos of work hardening, it's likely to bend somewhere else instead.
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    Old School Vang System. 6:1?

    Michael Blackburn, the olympic medalist, world champion, Bass straight crossing laser sailor uses an old school 6:1 vang with a ball bearing top block, I e-mithered him and he said he liked it because it was lighter than a new one and he had used it for ages. I think it's just what you get used to.
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    New Sail, New Class, Laser Hull Rooster 8.1 Rig

    All politics aside, that thing looks mental! I do think that anyone who sails it needs their head reading and should also see a nutritionist so they can get with the 12 stone cool dudes who sail proper lasers!
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    Laser Sailors do it ........

    Re: Laser Sailers do it ........ with a stiff top section, at all angles (to the breeze obviously), with multiple purchases, with limited turning points, are doing it into 5 figures, using upper body kinetics, wearing stiffened battens, with a two piece pole. I think you are gonna have to get...
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    Laser Sailors do it ........

    Re: Laser Sailers do it ........ at the olympics, with a loose leech, wearing lycra.
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    Laser Sailors do it ........

    Re: Laser Sailers do it ........ in large groups, on their own, back to front (by the lee). I'll have a think for some more.
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    Accelerating at the start - playing devil's advocate

    I don't see the problem, pumping the tiller to get the boat to bear away and doing a big roll at the start is absolutely allowed in the link just posted, if it wasn't surely it would be protested by the very same win at all cost types described above, much better to get the competition DQed from...
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    Accelerating off the line

    As you sheet in more vang tension makes the sail power up from the leech, this moves the centre of effort a long way behind the centre of lateral resistance causing the boat to round up to windward. Try bearing off in a big breeze with the vang on, it just won't happen.
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    Stair climbing good hiking prep?

    I used to be a pro bike rider and my legs are the first thing that goes! I reckon those quad curl machines in the gym would be good or alternatively just stick your toes under a radiator or something and do some sit ups.
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    Accelerating off the line

    Acceleration and positioning go hand in hand, Steve Cockerill gives a good account on his cd rom that the starting pump needs to be done with the boat heading low so the pump drives you forward rather than sideways, this obviously requires a good gap to leeward. I think the big mistake is...
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    What is the secret of downwind boat speed

    If there is a lot of wind blowing then my tip would be to have bigger balls than anyone else on the race course, I've deathrolled more than any one I know so I don't care if I bin it any more, as a result I tend to be totally commited and scream past those slow coaches who sail with too much...

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