I have read that camel packs/backs are illegal for racing.It is a club rule that buoyancy aids must be worn at my club. I bought an aid with a 2 litre camel pack in the back, absolutely invaluable.
I have read that camel packs/backs are illegal for racing.
This is not a Laser class rule; it applies to all classes
I have read that camel packs/backs are illegal for racing.
This is not a Laser class rule; it applies to all classes
They were banned effectively when weight jackets were banned specifically because weight jackets were causing large numbers of back injuries. So be careful.The original post doesn't mention racing though
Illegal actually, it's considered to be a weight jacket.Small half litre bottle of water, stuffed between chest and buoyancy aid - legal, doesn't pop out, can get to it without fuss.
Bottle cages last time I checked were legal depending how it's attached. Clips & ties are legal, but you'll need to get confirmation from Jean Luc about drilling holes anywhere in the cockpit as rule 21 doesn't mention how clips, ties and bags are attached.Bottle cages are illegal for racing, drilling holes and adding line to grab rail is illegal for racing, any modification to the hull or additional line is illegit.
All,
I'll preface this question with a warning story of what can happen if you don't do the right thing by your body!
I recently ended up in Emergency with disorientation and memory loss. I had done a lot that day, a bike ride plus 5 short couse races. I did not have much to eat and very little to drink. The general opinion of the medicos that it was an episode brought on by obviously doing too much and not eating/drinking enough. It was a worring time for my wife as she didn't know whether I had had a stroke or not.
Now I am trying to carry a bottle of water on the boat but not having much luck finding a good solution to where to put it. I have it tied up with a short piece of rope at the back of the cockpit but aftyer a capsize yeaterday it got wound around the tiller and a nice loop around the traveller blocks (Arggghh...)
I was thinking that I could use a bicycle bottle holder screwed or velcroed to the back of the cockpit.
I had a search throug the forum and some people use an elasticised bag attached at the front.
Is there a preferred solution? What do the top sailors do?
Thanks Ian
If I understand you correctly, you are advocating changing/altering the function of the shock cord which is used to lift the hiking strap? The same goes for the traveler fairleads. Sounds seriously illegal to me.I really don't know what all the fuss is about over drink bottles. Find a drink bottle with a neck on it, tie shock cord on the neck with a plastic clip on the neck (I pass the shock cord twice through the eye of the clip and use a double or triple fisherman's knot. Hook clip onto shock cord lifting the hiking strap on the back of the cockpit. The alternate is to using the traveller fairleads, tie shock cord to one and run the shock cord through the other and back to the cockpit and tie the drink bottle on the end, this method involves no clips and the bottle can be just dropped back into the cockpit and the tension in the shock cord will keep it there.
It's permitted according to Rule 21.If I understand you correctly, you are advocating changing/altering the function of the shock cord which is used to lift the hiking strap? The same goes for the traveler fairleads. Sounds seriously illegal to me.
FUNDAMENTAL RULE
The Laser shall be raced in accordance with these
rules, with only the hull, equipment, fittings, spars,
sail and battens manufactured by a licensed builder
in accordance with the Laser design specification
(known as the Construction Manual) which is
registered with ISAF.
No addition or alteration may be made to the hull
form, construction, equipment, type of equipment,
placing of equipment, fittings, type of fittings, placing
of fittings, spars, sail and battens as supplied by the
builder except when such an alteration or change
is specifically authorised by Parts 2 or 3 of these
Rules.