How many blocks can you add?
- Thread starter JustLaxin
- Start date
will162878
New Member
The ILCA rules don't actually specify the maximum theoretical mechanical advantage ratio. They do however specify how may turning points (sheaves) you are allowed to use. Once you put a system that is more powerful than a 4:1 on the outhaul, you just end up with stupid amounts of line to pull in - 4:1 works fine with ball-race blocks and a thin dyneema line on the secondary. 6:1 on the cunningham is plenty using a 3:1 (4mm) pulling down on a 2:1 (2 or 3 mm D-12) running through the sail grommet. See the drlaser.org site for details.
will162878
New Member
The rules can be downloaded in full from laserinternational.org if you want more detailed info about class rule requirements.
drLaser
Member
Will Richards wrote:
> Once you put a system that is more powerful
> than a 4:1 on the outhaul, you just end up with
> stupid amounts of line to pull in
Absolutely not, I would say. The line is quite manageable even with a cascaded (2 x 2 x 2) 8:1 outhaul system.
Line length becomes an issue only if you consider a non-cascaded purchase system. That's the beauty of using cascades.
In fact, I've been racing with an 8:1 outhaul since day one of the rule changes (similar to the one published on drLaser). It offers fingertip control! A 4:1 on the outhaul is (IMHO) absolutely useless on a standard rig Laser for effortless outhaul adjustments when sailing upwind block-to-block.
If 4:1 were ideal on the outhaul, would Vanguard Sailboats Inc. (the NA Builder) change its outhaul kit (as of the beginning of March 2003) to market a 6:1 outhaul rig instead of its original 4:1 in its Performace Upgrade kit?
Even they learned!
Shevy
> Once you put a system that is more powerful
> than a 4:1 on the outhaul, you just end up with
> stupid amounts of line to pull in
Absolutely not, I would say. The line is quite manageable even with a cascaded (2 x 2 x 2) 8:1 outhaul system.
Line length becomes an issue only if you consider a non-cascaded purchase system. That's the beauty of using cascades.
In fact, I've been racing with an 8:1 outhaul since day one of the rule changes (similar to the one published on drLaser). It offers fingertip control! A 4:1 on the outhaul is (IMHO) absolutely useless on a standard rig Laser for effortless outhaul adjustments when sailing upwind block-to-block.
If 4:1 were ideal on the outhaul, would Vanguard Sailboats Inc. (the NA Builder) change its outhaul kit (as of the beginning of March 2003) to market a 6:1 outhaul rig instead of its original 4:1 in its Performace Upgrade kit?
Even they learned!
Shevy
49208
Tentmaker
I agree with Shevy - the 4-1 was useless on the outhaul in over 12 kts or less depending on how strong you are, we've switched to 6-1, and at least can adjust it upwind up to about 18kts.
You have to pull more line for the cunningham in it's stock configuration, or the same if you change it to 6-1 too, so that should be a non-issue as well...
You have to pull more line for the cunningham in it's stock configuration, or the same if you change it to 6-1 too, so that should be a non-issue as well...
will162878
New Member
Are you guys using clew-tie-down "friction reducing devices" of any kind?
will162878
New Member
Anyone use any friction reducing ideas which dont require ongoing expense?
drLaser
Member
See drLaser website for a some clew tie-down options. (Probably you already have, but...)
Shevy
Shevy
will162878
New Member
I have. They are good but I am looking for a really "elegant" solution. This is the one aspect of the Laser that really annoys me.