Having just picked up a set of the new GRP foils, i thought I'd share a review after the initial sail. Upon inspection, the blades look fast. They have a very smooth surface and the black top part looks great. However, once I got sailing I was unfortunately disappointed. The trailing edge of the centerboard chipped almost immediately on the top portion. Apparently the Mk II centerboard brake was a little too forceful on it. So now I have a little chip on my brand new centerboard. On top of that, upon returning to the dock after a day of racing and placing the board in my cockpit, I was welcomed with another chip. This time on the forward bottom edge. Although these are just chips in the gelcoat and don't really matter, I was still disappointed with the craftsmanship that LaserPerformance put into these. At least make them last more that one day!!!!
P.S. If anybody has any tips for repairing the chips it would be greatly appreciated!
Having just picked up a set of the new GRP foils, i thought I'd share a review after the initial sail. Upon inspection, the blades look fast. They have a very smooth surface and the black top part looks great. However, once I got sailing I was unfortunately disappointed. The trailing edge of the centerboard chipped almost immediately on the top portion. Apparently the Mk II centerboard brake was a little too forceful on it. So now I have a little chip on my brand new centerboard. On top of that, upon returning to the dock after a day of racing and placing the board in my cockpit, I was welcomed with another chip. This time on the forward bottom edge. Although these are just chips in the gelcoat and don't really matter, I was still disappointed with the craftsmanship that LaserPerformance put into these. At least make them last more that one day!!!!
P.S. If anybody has any tips for repairing the chips it would be greatly appreciated!
The APS blog, 'The Stern Scoop', has some responses from LaserPerformance on the question as to why these blades chip so easily, how to repair them, and why LP think they are really better than the old blades even though they do chip so easily. Check out the 6th and 7th comments on http://blog.apsltd.com/2011/01/laser-daggerboards-in-stock.html
There is a lad at my local club who has had 5 sets of GRP foils from Laser as the other just kept breaking and chipping. He finally has a set that seems to be durable....
The APS blog, 'The Stern Scoop', has some responses from LaserPerformance on the question as to why these blades chip so easily, how to repair them, and why LP think they are really better than the old blades even though they do chip so easily. Check out the 6th and 7th comments on http://blog.apsltd.com/2011/01/laser-daggerboards-in-stock.html
I'm looking into buying a new (2007) Laser from a local sailing school the boat comes with different style daggerboard then I have seen anywhere else. The daggerboard is shiny gel coated finish but it does not have a black top on top. Is this blade a knock off?
I'm looking into buying a new (2007) Laser from a local sailing school the boat comes with different style daggerboard then I have seen anywhere else. The daggerboard is shiny gel coated finish but it does not have a black top on top. Is this blade a knock off?
As for the GRP foils chipping easily, this most commonly occurs when people put their centreboard into the cockpit with the bottom corning of the board (bottom edge & trailing edge) into the cockpit, this used to happen also with the Crompton boards but the GRP boards seem fact more fragile. To avoid this with any Laser centreboard, spin the board 180 degrees and leave the corner up in the air. Additionally, have the centreboard placed so that the end which is down is at the bottom transom end of the cockpit, I'm amazed how many people have them so the board can slip out when you effectively lift the bow when using a trolley.
Nearly 5 years with GRP boards from PSA and my boards remain unchipped, unlike many others who have chipped them after 1 day of sailing.
I'm looking into buying a new (2007) Laser from a local sailing school the boat comes with different style daggerboard then I have seen anywhere else. The daggerboard is shiny gel coated finish but it does not have a black top on top. Is this blade a knock off?