What a rush!

ChadR

New Member
I have had my laser for a couple months now. Have taken it out maybe 6-7 times in mostly light winds. Yesterday I was finally able to sail in steady 10+ knot winds and holy crap what a rush. The local weather station reported gusts up to 22 knots. This was the first time I was able to fully hike out and get on plane. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time. Even while capsizing 4 times. Can't wait for the next time!
 
Yes, it's definitely more fun in a good breeze... my favorite range would be somewhere between 12-18 knots, but for those who like wild action, 20+ knots will certainly deliver. Gotta watch the surface chop once the breeze picks up, and a wetsuit or shell windbreaker helps if you get cold easily. A vest-style PFD atop a wetsuit will keep ya toasty warm, especially if you also have good footgear & gloves. Ballcap too, but ya gotta keep it secure or a gust will strip it away... which makes for good practice of your "man overboard" drill in rough water, but it can be annoying when you've already developed fast boat speed. :confused:

Surgeon General's Warning: Laser sailing in breezy conditions can be addictive!!! :eek:
 
I have had my laser for a couple months now. Have taken it out maybe 6-7 times in mostly light winds. Yesterday I was finally able to sail in steady 10+ knot winds and holy crap what a rush. The local weather station reported gusts up to 22 knots. This was the first time I was able to fully hike out and get on plane. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time. Even while capsizing 4 times. Can't wait for the next time!

Phenomenal report!! It's the best feeling!
 
OP, I forgot to mention that smiling while sailing is a good thing... moi, I was also known for loud maniacal laughter, Swiss yodeling and ear-splitting Tarzan yells!!! Johnny Weissmuller had nothin' on me, LOL, even though he was probably my favorite Tarzan actor... good swimmer too, which helps in Laser sailing. :rolleyes:
 
Yes, it's definitely more fun in a good breeze... my favorite range would be somewhere between 12-18 knots, but for those who like wild action, 20+ knots will certainly deliver. Gotta watch the surface chop once the breeze picks up, and a wetsuit or shell windbreaker helps if you get cold easily. A vest-style PFD atop a wetsuit will keep ya toasty warm, especially if you also have good footgear & gloves. Ballcap too, but ya gotta keep it secure or a gust will strip it away... which makes for good practice of your "man overboard" drill in rough water, but it can be annoying when you've already developed fast boat speed. :confused:

Surgeon General's Warning: Laser sailing in breezy conditions can be addictive!!! :eek:
Thanks for the tips! Kentucky usually has pretty mild winters so I'm hoping I can sail year round with the proper clothing. It seems the windiest time of the year is late winter early spring here in KY and I would pretty much have the whole lake to myself. Anyways, here I am back at work and i can't stop day dreaming of those dark clouds rolling over the green hills watching the white caps form and hearing the hum of the hull just before the wind over takes me and I go flying into the water. Epic!
 
OP, I forgot to mention that smiling while sailing is a good thing... moi, I was also known for loud maniacal laughter, Swiss yodeling and ear-splitting Tarzan yells!!! Johnny Weissmuller had nothin' on me, LOL, even though he was probably my favorite Tarzan actor... good swimmer too, which helps in Laser sailing. :rolleyes:
I definitely belted out a couple of yeehaws and hell yeahs myself!
 
I see you're in "The Bluegrass" (as truck drivers call it), my ancestors came through Kentucky back in the day... me beloved & dear departed mum used to be Registrar for our local chapter of the D.A.R., and she drew our family tree using all that organization's resources. Turns out we're related to the Boone Family, as one ancestor of mine married an elder sister of Daniel Boone. Of course, the Boone Family itself was pretty large in those days, so many folks can make the same claim. But on a personal level, I reckon that's the reason for my adventurous spirit, and perhaps for my somewhat antisocial nature, LOL. :eek:

I remember Lexington from my "trucking daze"---beautiful horse country with white-railed properties, looked like a regular paradise! Maybe that was just outside town, or between Lexington & Louisville, it has been awhile since I drove through Kan-tuckee. But I know this: you could have one helluva good time combining a camping trip with sailing on Lake Barkley & Kentucky Lake, I've been to those places and they were awesome! Of course, you may have other venues nearby, I'm trying to remember my state geography, LOL. But it IS pretty there, probably why so many early settlers headed in that direction. :rolleyes:

Anyway, good on ya for cuttin' loose with an occasional rebel yell... hey, sailing sure beats waiting in line at the DMV, or waiting in line at WallyWorld on a crowded day, LOL. Won't see or hear too much enthusiasm in those places, that's for sure. Loud curses or shots fired, maybe, but zero enthusiasm, LOL. Oh, well, such is life, best thing you can do is get out on that water whenever possible, it gives one a better overall perspective, AYE? Don't sweat the occasional capsize, you'll soon grow more proficient and become a sailing master... Sir Francis Drake will have NOTHIN' on ya, LOL. CHEERS, BRO!!! :cool:

P.S. Since you're at work, I'll be sure to drink a cold beer for ya... looks like I won't start my job till next week. Hey, it's only watery domestic beer, but it's cold!!! ;)
 
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Anyone know at what speed the centerboard starts to hum? I know it isn’t supposed to but every laser I’ve been on does. I like it actually—gets me fired up.
 

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