Carbon Fiber is stronger than steel while being lightweight, they've been used on keel boats for a while. Carbon fiber can snap, especially on boats like the volvo ocean racers because of the extreme loads they endure. The performance will change based on the weight difference, and bend of the mast/sail shape. The gains will likely be minimal on a laser but, its still a good idea in theory.
It will be difficult to change the full rig sail, especially if it increases performance because anyone that wants to be competitive will have to buy one.
125lbs is 10lbs lighter than a brand new built perfectly to spec laser. This will definitely disadvantage older hulls and even newer 135lbs+/- a few lbs hulls. Having a hull that is 7+% lighter will be nice for anyone that has one, with new technology it is possible to build a stronger hull and still lose 10lbs.
I think that we can calm down about this. As also mentioned in that article, the Laser class has the most strict standards of any one design class. There will be no rush to change. Here are a couple of observations:
thanks,
- I believe that the class officials are conscious of the cost of new parts and trying to keep them down to a similar price as the existing parts.
- I don't believe than any huge performance changes will be made before the 2012 Olympics.
- A huge performance change is definitely possible. Look at the change to deck mounted blocks in 2001 for an example. You really cannot be competitive without them.
- That said, I am sure that the class officials are aware of trying to keep older boats and gear somewhat competitive.
- Anyone who has ever broken a top mast section is all for changes to the mast design.
- Anyone who has ever broken a top section has probably also torn their sail and needed a new one. Between the mast section and a sail, you are talking about a repair of over $700 (over $800 after taxes in CA).
- Any changes that will be made will be argued over and batted around for many months before they are allowed. Start saving your money. Change is good in this case, I think.
- I have seen one of the new sails that has been proposed for the full rig. I did not sail with it, but it really looks like an improvement. The person using that new version did very well in the local regatta.
Ralph
#175237
Why change to carbon spars. From what Tracy said some time ago about the investigation into a Radial upper section in carbon it was looking like it would be quite a bit more expensive. How often do people break their masts and would carbon lower that possibility - all without changing boat performance ?
I sailed with my sons Radial rig this weekend in 12-15 and I was shocked by the bend in the upper, But I didnt recognize the lower spar bending, maybe the top just scared me too much to look at anything else.
Would the Carbon help or cause more breakage for the lower spar?
I'm a newby here, but not to sailing.
If we ( the class ) is going to sit around and grouse about Intensity Sails and their legality in major events, and Intensity blades and their legality in the same events, then this guy is absolutely off the deep end.
open up the sails to a "box rule" design, making them "premeasred" from the factory and stop the price gouging.
Do you know Ed Adams? What he's done? How hard he is to catch and how GOOD of a laser sailor he is? Google Ed Adams sailing. I suggest you talk about him with a little more respect.
Alan,
The sail control upgrades most certainly improved the performance of the boat. Which is why virtually every Laser sailor went out and bought the package or modified their systems to take advantage of the rules. It made it easier to depower the sail in heavy air and easier to adjust the outhaul in all conditions. It made the boat faster around the course? It also made it easier to sail…faster. Sure it was a painful expense, but I've yet to find a regular Laser sailor who thinks it was a mistake?
As Ed pointed out in his story the boat has changed many times. Most times for the better. These changes would no different, though you could argue against the weight change and I wouldn't fight it. There is a possibility they would split the class, though I think that fear is greatly overstated. The people who race the boat a lot will stick with it. You'll lose the once-a-year folks, but that won't kill the class.
There's also a possibility that tomorrow someone will launch the next great one-design or that the Olympics will decide that they need a higher-tech boat and the Laser will become obsolete.
Evolution is a key to any longstanding class. If the Laser doesn't, sooner or later something more modern will take it's place. Then we all lose.
-SS
Add in 'measure the sails at major regattas' and you have a great plan. I am all in favor of this concept, but I fear I am in a very small minority...
Add in 'measure the sails at major regattas' and you have a great plan. I am all in favor of this concept, but I fear I am in a very small minority...
open up the sails to a "box rule" design, making them "premeasred" from the factory and stop the price gouging.
Do you know how many more competitive boats could potentially come out of the garage if they could afford a new competitive sail at a REASONABLE price?
Im all for keeping everything elase the same, but the sail has never been a strong point of the boat, and letting other sailmakers buld it to strict set dimensions would hopefully bring the price down...hopefully
Most modern dinghies are ... true one-designs ... This is great for level competition and keeping costs down, but it stunts development as most changes are controlled by the patent holder, which is loathe to disenfranchise potential customers by changing the design.
Initially it will hurt. Changes of this type usually do. People will get upset and leave the class.
Evolution is a key to any longstanding class. If the Laser doesn't, sooner or later something more modern will take it's place.
The sail control upgrades most certainly improved the performance of the boat. Which is why virtually every Laser sailor went out and bought the package or modified their systems to take advantage of the rules. ...It also made it easier to sail…faster. Sure it was a painful expense, but I've yet to find a regular Laser sailor who thinks it was a mistake?
The thing is, you can always make something better, but the "better" is not always better for everybody. Changes would suit some and not others. In the case of the Laser, changing e.g. hull weight, changing to carbon spars, etc. might suit those who want a more exciting boat, etc. but would kill the class for those of us who find excitement in competing against others on equal terms.
Also, wasn't the Laser a replacement for the Finn because the Finn was getting kinda crazy with the high tech/high cost?
Why ? Most aren't competing on equal terms right now. Anyone with a new sail has an advantage over someone with an older, tired sail. Anyone with a new hull has an advantage over someone with an older more flexible hull. Anyone with straight spars has an advantage over someone with bent spars...
The suggestions for changes might just make the racing a little more equal for a longer time span over the life of the boat/spar/sail