I'm a 145 lb., 5ft. 6 inch male in great shape, not interested in racing or going upwind, just reaching/bombing in 15-25 mph wind (or more!) The radial is right for me on paper but I prefer more power on the reach and don't mind being on the edge. Never sailed a Laser. My old Force 5 with 90 square feet was too much. Will a standard laser be too much on a reach on screeching days?
I'm a 145 lb., 5ft. 6 inch male in great shape, not interested in racing or going upwind, just reaching/bombing in 15-25 mph wind (or more!) The radial is right for me on paper but I prefer more power on the reach and don't mind being on the edge. Never sailed a Laser. My old Force 5 with 90 square feet was too much. Will a standard laser be too much on a reach on screeching days?
You are about 25 pounds shy of the low-end ideal Laser standard weight, and spot on for the radial. In 15-25 mph winds, a radial will give you all the excitement you crave, and more. The main thing to say in favor of a standard rig is that it will give you lots of excitement in lighter winds. But you'll be overpowered in heavier winds. I suggest that you go with a radial, and then after a while if that seems too tame you move up. It just takes a new sail and a lower mast section.
You are about 25 pounds shy of the low-end ideal Laser standard weight, and spot on for the radial. In 15-25 mph winds, a radial will give you all the excitement you crave, and more. The main thing to say in favor of a standard rig is that it will give you lots of excitement in lighter winds. But you'll be overpowered in heavier winds. I suggest that you go with a radial, and then after a while if that seems too tame you move up. It just takes a new sail and a lower mast section.
The Laser Radial may be a bit faster and point a bit better upwind. Off-wind, not much difference. And a Sunfish will plane just as well.
According to the Portsmouth handicap system, a Laser Radial is about 3% faster than a Sunfish (avg Portsmouth number Laser Radial = 96.7 and Sunfish = 99.6). This difference holds in heavy winds. But a Sunfish won't death roll.....