My first boat.

ChadR

New Member
Hey all,
Just bought a 1974 laser that seems to be in relatively good shape for its age. Some dings, spider cracks and some delamination on the deck. The hull looks and feels sound. The original and only owner had the mast step reinforced and it seems solid. I paid 1200 for boat, nice galvanized tilt trailer, and some other extras like an old school laser book. Ive been practicing rigging it in the back yard and plan on taking it out to the lake soon. Super stoked! Here are a couple pictures.
 

Attachments

  • 0517201423.jpg
    0517201423.jpg
    2.7 MB · Views: 89
  • 0517201422_HDR.jpg
    0517201422_HDR.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 87
  • 0517201422.jpg
    0517201422.jpg
    2 MB · Views: 79
  • 0517201421a.jpg
    0517201421a.jpg
    2 MB · Views: 89
  • 0517201421.jpg
    0517201421.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 86
Awesome, and the exact same color as mine, and from the same decade. I need to reinforce the mast step here shortly after repair a few dings on the deck. Welcome!
 
Always loved that colour. Wooden rudder and centre jammer. I had a centre jammer identical to yours on a club boat we were given. It lasted one short sail and I swore never again. Put an old ratchet block on instead. Never did fit side deck cleats.
Add a bit of aluminium sheet under where the traveller line cuts the wooden tiller. Saves repairing the tiller. Traveller line needs to be tight. Have fun, and if you like it get some good hikers and boots.
 
Always loved that colour. Wooden rudder and centre jammer. I had a centre jammer identical to yours on a club boat we were given. It lasted one short sail and I swore never again. Put an old ratchet block on instead. Never did fit side deck cleats.
Add a bit of aluminium sheet under where the traveller line cuts the wooden tiller. Saves repairing the tiller. Traveller line needs to be tight. Have fun, and if you like it get some good hikers and boots.
Thanks! I love the color too. What was it about the centre jammer you didnt like?
 
The rope from the boom changes it's angle to the centre jammer pulley as the boom goes in and out. Normally the pulley moves to accomodate this as it is attached by a shackle.

With the centre Jammer the pulley is fixed in a vertical plane and will not move to accomodatre the change in angle. This is a problem off wind with the boom out past the back corner of the boat.

Try it. Rig the boat, pull the boom out to 90deg from the centreline and lead the sheet to the other side at the back of the cockpit. You will find the the rope rubs on the metal cheeks of the pulley.

You can get around this by holding the rope above the jammer pulley with it comming directly from the boom for all the downwind legs. However I just hated the rubbing.
 
The rope from the boom changes it's angle to the centre jammer pulley as the boom goes in and out. Normally the pulley moves to accomodate this as it is attached by a shackle.

With the centre Jammer the pulley is fixed in a vertical plane and will not move to accomodatre the change in angle. This is a problem off wind with the boom out past the back corner of the boat.

Try it. Rig the boat, pull the boom out to 90deg from the centreline and lead the sheet to the other side at the back of the cockpit. You will find the the rope rubs on the metal cheeks of the pulley.

You can get around this by holding the rope above the jammer pulley with it comming directly from the boom for all the downwind legs. However I just hated the rubbing.
I will rig it and see this evening. All the pulleys on my boat seem old and in need of replacing anyways. I'm going to get it out in the water this Sunday for my first sail ever. Excited to learn. Thanks for the info!
 
What was it about the centre jammer you didnt like?
What Riv said. Also, If the cleat angle is right for hiking (as it should, and from the picture it looks like it is), it's not so good going downwind, or in light air in general, as the sheet will chafe against the cleat fairlead. And there's no ratchet. However, it's usable and I probably wouldn't bother to change it for recreational-only use.

But before you go sailing, rig a clew tie-down (simply run a thin but strong line a couple times through the clew eye and around the boom, and tie as tight as possible with a square knot), and tie the traveller line so that the loop it forms between the fairleads is very narrow (it should touch the tiller, which is why Riv recommended a chafe plate).

_
 
What Riv said. Also, If the cleat angle is right for hiking (as it should, and from the picture it looks like it is), it's not so good going downwind, or in light air in general, as the sheet will chafe against the cleat fairlead. And there's no ratchet. However, it's usable and I probably wouldn't bother to change it for recreational-only use.

But before you go sailing, rig a clew tie-down (simply run a thin but strong line a couple times through the clew eye and around the boom, and tie as tight as possible with a square knot), and tie the traveller line so that the loop it forms between the fairleads is very narrow (it should touch the tiller, which is why Riv recommended a chafe plate).

_
Was the centre jammer on my boat a standard piece in all the factory built lasers or was it added on?
 
Was the centre jammer on my boat a standard piece in all the factory built lasers or was it added on?
I believe it (that exact RWO fitting) was an option on new boats at the time. It went out of fashion pretty quickly, but it remained class legal until 2005 or so.

_
 
I believe it (that exact RWO fitting) was an option on new boats at the time. It went out of fashion pretty quickly, but it remained class legal until 2005 or so.

_
This boat is definitely old, and I'm sure I will feel her age out in the water. I am definitely interested in the speed and agility these boats apparently have. Not sure there are many laser owners in my area to race. But I am definitely interested in getting her out in the water and possibly replacing some parts to get her race ready. But hell, I dont even know if she floats yet... Racing is a ways away
 
Laser sailing is a bit like Windsurfing. Both have a change of technique at the Force 3/4 area. In Windsurfing above F3 you are planing all the time in any direction. In Laser sailing the sail handing changes from being able to manage the boat in a passive way below F3 to having to actually drive the boat and positively guide it in F3 and above. This is a separate set of skills. So only go out in less than F3 if you are begining.
How do you tell if it is an F3+? Go to the launching area, look upwind if you see Whitecaps starting you have an F3. If you enjoy the experience there are all the stronger wind skills to learn.
 
Where do Lexingtonians sail anyways? The reservoirs 2, 3 or 4? Kentucky River? Rupp Arena? Looks pretty landlocked on Maps!
 
Where do Lexingtonians sail anyways? The reservoirs 2, 3 or 4? Kentucky River? Rupp Arena? Looks pretty landlocked on Maps!
Cave run lake is where i will go most of the time. There are a couple closer lakes like Herrington but cave run is way more enjoyable. I am moving to new hampshire in 2 years, so that gives me plenty more options... Cave run will have to do for now
 

Back
Top