I started racing a Laser this year and have a few questions about downwind sailing:
1. What is the maximum angle between hull centerline and boom? Would the angle ever be more than 90deg? Maybe while sailing by the lee?
2. How much line do you leave after the stopper knot on the main sheet? While racing, my main sheet gets tangled around the hiking strap and I am tempted to cut it about 6'' after the stopper knot...
3. What are the simplest ways of detecting wind shifts going downwind (other than Windex straped below boom)?
4. In breeze (15-20 knots), while sailing by the lee, do you keep the boat flat and try to catch waves? Do you heel the boat? What are conditions in which sailing by the lee is no longer an option?
Thanks in advance!
1. What is the maximum angle between hull centerline and boom? Would the angle ever be more than 90deg? Maybe while sailing by the lee?
2. How much line do you leave after the stopper knot on the main sheet? While racing, my main sheet gets tangled around the hiking strap and I am tempted to cut it about 6'' after the stopper knot...
3. What are the simplest ways of detecting wind shifts going downwind (other than Windex straped below boom)?
4. In breeze (15-20 knots), while sailing by the lee, do you keep the boat flat and try to catch waves? Do you heel the boat? What are conditions in which sailing by the lee is no longer an option?
Thanks in advance!