Hey Guys,
Gene and I have discovered a cool new sport, that is something like windsurfing, except you don't need any foils, or a lot wind or money. You just need the courage to go and buy a sailboat from someone on Craig's List. (The person he met had a 1984 Windsurfer for $2,000 and this Laser. The Laser was a much better deal.) Here is our first try at this thing called sailing. Gene just needs a Captain's hat now. BTW - I think Captain Gene is now accepting applications for the "First Mate" position on days when I'm not available. We were ably assisted by Peelskid, who was manning the life boat. While we didn't need rescue at any time, two civilians did require rescue by Admiral Peelskid.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Glad that you got that Gene!
I would be happy to be first mate sometime
I did not sail Monday but I did for about 4 hours Sunday. Winds were shifty but it made things interesting.
Had a good time
Pro tip: As the breeze picks up, vang is everything
https://lasersailingtips.com/laser-controls-and-fittings/vang-kicker/
Also, Cunningham (we call it downhaul)
https://lasersailingtips.com/laser-controls-and-fittings/cunningham/
Lasers are a lot of fun in planing conditions. Beware the death roll, though: http://thefinalbeat.com/categories/downwind-sailing/averting-death-roll
My first trip to OBX circa 1979, I sailed a Laser out of Oregon Inlet soundside. Had to sit as far back as possible because of the spray. A mask and snorkel would have helped.
Great purchase. You'll have a blast and learn a lot. I miss mine until I remember the reason I sold it. Yeah, windsurfing.
Gene, you should read all that stuff. Then we can enter the Laser in the Fall Classic and kick some windsurfer booty.
BTW - I just got my pupils dilated. Did all the lettering that used to be reddish (or was it brown) really turn blue?
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
All this being said, to a true Laser sailor it doesn't matter. When I used to tease my brother about how slow Lasers are, he said, "it's not the speed but the competition, I'd race baby buggies if they were one design." Lasers generally attract a good sized group of skilled sailors and the competition is "spirited". While a new sail or boat is nice, skipper ability is 90-95% of the game. btw, if you do want to compete, I couldn't tell from the video, but about 15 years ago, the class allowed for better vangs, etc to be class legal. People used to jury rig all sorts of crazy things to get enough purchase on the vang and cunningham. That's not necessary anymore.
And, was there a photo of a 6 ft rabbit named Harvey windsurfing?
(Actually, yes, for just a bit, we went blue by accident.)
Or is it orange? I guess it looks orange now.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I'm wondering if anyone has laser kited yet.
Gene defiantly got the deal of the year on that laser. Good stiff hull, no soft spots.
Making me want one now. Thanks Gene!
Alan
None of the rest of us really need a laser now that Captain Gene has one. He should probably start charging us for rides.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
There used to be a windsurf sail adapter for the Laser, saw one at Van Pugh about 15 years ago. Probably a good idea in theory but since most people buy a Laser to race against other Lasers, unless all your friends have one, you are just "that guy". They now have foils for Lasers, you can take a course at Lake Garda http://sail-laser.it/en/category-courses/2/
Didn't find anything about a kite. Randy can be the "first" although they are harder to walk upwind so he better up his windward kite skills.
Given the 130 lb hull weight of a Laser, I'd think that not many people are going to spend much time kiting with a Laser on their bum unless there is a medical reason. Windsurfers complain about boards being 5 lbs too much. But then, windsurfers complain about a lot of things.
Edit: Last thing. Back in the day, the two places a Laser would leak would be along the deck seams and at the bottom of the mast step (wear over the years). You should have a hull drain plug. Open it after a session especially a windy one where you are burying the leeward rail and see if you are getting water inside. I used a school boat in college that leaked horrible around the deck seam and one day on Lake Norman it gained so much water it submarined into the back of a swell.
Edit #2: The guy that wrote this book below ended up as president of US Windsurfing
Randy, I'm with you but they look purple to me.
That laser is one tippy boat. I think I will stick to the Hobie Cat and chase Roger around on his kite.
But now that you mentioned it, Gene should get a foil for his Laser and join the foil club.
PeelSkid