Skipper Johnson
New Member
OK....My first 2 months in the Laser have been interesting to say the least. I have now moved from blissful ignorance to overwhelmed awareness. The more you know the more aware of how little you know!
Our club raced on the bay on the weekend (away from the security of the lake). I now know what waves look like. They added a whole new dimension and a whole new way of potential capsize. It was the first time I had raced against about 10 Lasers.
I actually got a good start but soon noticed although I was pointing about the same height, I did not have the boat speed. I assume this is due to the way I set my boat. I know I had the outhaul too tight and the cunningham all the way on (I was scared that i was going to be overpowered) and the Vang not tight enough. By the way - should the vang always be tight when two blocked when beating, or is this dependant on the wind strength? - I might also be due to having little knowledge about the best way to negotiate a chop and read the shifts.
The top mark and I was in front of 3 Lasers which I where I finished.
Things I need to learn:
Bye for now
Our club raced on the bay on the weekend (away from the security of the lake). I now know what waves look like. They added a whole new dimension and a whole new way of potential capsize. It was the first time I had raced against about 10 Lasers.
I actually got a good start but soon noticed although I was pointing about the same height, I did not have the boat speed. I assume this is due to the way I set my boat. I know I had the outhaul too tight and the cunningham all the way on (I was scared that i was going to be overpowered) and the Vang not tight enough. By the way - should the vang always be tight when two blocked when beating, or is this dependant on the wind strength? - I might also be due to having little knowledge about the best way to negotiate a chop and read the shifts.
The top mark and I was in front of 3 Lasers which I where I finished.
Things I need to learn:
- Roll Tacking
- How to hold the tiller properly (cant get out of the habit of holding it under hand)
- Sailing by the lee (total mystery)
- How to best negotiate runs - head slightly off the wind or straight down wind?
- How to read the shifts
- How to gybe without panick
- How to adjust the outhaul and vang correctly
- How to ride waves
Bye for now