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I believe someone sold a special case for flying with Laser blades. I doubt they are sold any more, and a custom Pelican case is probably a more economic solution anyway. I've seen people fly with blades in checked baggage just by stuffing extra life jackets in a normal blade bag. Not...

2009. Now that you mention it, I believe the discussion at the time was rake was being measured to survey builder tolerance. The main purpose of the inspection was to check sail numbers and that rigging was compliant with class rules. Before the inspection, the measurer was more than willing...

The one time I went to a regatta with measurement, it was mostly an equipment check to ensure that your rigging complied with class rules. They did have a template for measuring the mast rake. Undoubtedly there were wide tolerances.

Bassmaster edition!

Very common question. Yes, you can cut down standard section and sail the boat with a Radial sail. But no, it will not work. The Radial spar is made from thinner aluminum to have a specific bend characteristic that matches the Radial sail. A sawed-off standard spar will be too stiff, and the...

I did this once years ago. I took the old bearings to the auto parts store, and they were able to measure them and find me a replacement. Unfortunately I did not retain the size information. Still, a knowledgeable person should be able to find the right size for you, may take going to...

Bow swivel is the best feature of the Kitty Hawk. One tip, always try to transfer the boat to and from the trailer with the trailer attached to your car. If the tongue of the trailer is sitting on the ground, it means you have to lift the stern of the boat even higher to clear the gunnel supports.

Yes, the forestay is only there to keep the mast upright with the rig untensioned. All the tension is in the jib luff wire. Sounds like you already figured out what to do with shock cord and the forestay when the rig is tensioned. The magic box is an older system for the jib tension. Now...

Thinking back many moons when I sailed 470s. Given there are so many different manufacturers and so many different national authorities with their own numbering, it isn't like Lasers where a sail number is assigned to each hull by the builder. I believe when you buy a 470, it is up to you to...

LaLi is right. Don't change the spar fittings without good reason. With the classic vang setup, you can add shackles and swivels as needed. I'm not sure how the upgraded vang setup would work, but it could probably be done. Personally for a boat of this age, I would just stick with the...

Storing it upside down on the rack would be best for stress on the hull. Storing it upright on the dolly will speed your launch retrieval time. If you can figure out a way to get the dolly up on to the rack, more power to you. People who don't sail small dinghies, or at least not very often...

There's the Orange Bowl regatta, but probably too far a drive. Not sure if there is an adult Laser class either.

Seems like everything is broken down.

So is that what they looked like before you pulled them out, or did the process of removal destroy them? Of course the boat will work without them, it's just emergency floatatiion in case the hull is filled with water. Sorry, don't know how many are supposed to be in there.

Bo-furt, NC and Bew-furt, SC. The locals get very mad when you pronounce it the wrong way.

None with my trailer. Just keep your bearings lubricated. I would recommend some Bearing Buddies. Many people don't like that the smaller wheels spin at high RPMs, and I get that. However, Mr. Kitty Hawk himself told me that the bearings are rated by both RPMs and load. They aren't carrying...

Class would probably not maintain any ownership history going that far back. If you are in the US, the state might have records of the hull number if it was ever registered (depends upon the state). As for it being potentially stolen. I don't think I'd worry about that.

Yeah unless it is clear what it comes with and what is missing, don't mess with that boat. That's a hull for someone whose own hull just got trashed but has all the other pieces. Don't buy somebody else's problem.

My issue with the Intensity four-spar carriers is they are a bit tall. The older three-spar carriers will fit better under a top cover, but I think are no longer available.