Recent content by thistle3863

A light boat like a Laser 2 can be a problem at a mooring. Shifty, puffy winds in a squall can catch the boat from the side and capsize it.. It would probably be worse moored from the mast rather than the bow.

Check out the anti turtle inflatable float on Intensity. On our junior c420's it is almost impossible to turtle. Without they would turtle almost every time. Light, and can be used only when needed.

Remember, when the boat is on its side, capsized, all the water in the mast will be at the top. Try lifting 1/2 gallon water (4 lbs.) on the end of a 16 ft pole. All #'s are approximate, and apologies to our metric friends. This is in addition to the regular weight of the spar and wet sail...

Any chance your upper mast section leaks and fills with water?

Unless you are racing in sanctioned Laser Class races why not try an Intensity MK2 sail? Now on sale for $149 plus shipping. Comes with the new type battens. I have one and it's great. Our local fleet actually encourages their use to keep costs down and put everyone on an equal footing.

The Capri is designed so that the only purpose of the forestay is to hold the mast up when the jib is down. Rig tension is controlled by the jib halyard, just like FJ's and 420's.

Study the North tuning guide. It might not be exactly correct for your sails, but it will put you in the ball park.

Check out the Intensity Sails anti turtle mast float for the c420. I use them for our junior class in c420s and it is almost impossible to turtle when used. No modifications are needed and it is pretty light.

That "galvanized" trailer looks like aluminum to me.

Intensity Sails recommends taping the ends of the battens on their MK 2 practice sail. Not sure how the taping should be done.

Because if you are OCS in a pack of boats it's easy to pick out the one with draft stripes. For that reason in many competitive classes ( I also sail a Thistle) most boats are white so they don't stand out on the starting line.

Not a real good idea on the starting line.

Yep, I teach sailing/racing at a small club that should remain nameless, half of my students (victims) have learned to face backwards and steer frying pan from there parents. It's hard to break to habit, but it's the only way to sail most classes.