First Time Laser Racing

A humbling experience is to be in practice races with pros and try to keep all the racing rules, wind directions, flags, timing, maneuvering, bobbing, waiting, reacting, tacking, gybing etc. in mind! I tried, but I'll need to keep practicing before I'm anywhere near as good as the others. Fortunately, the other racers were polite with me and encouraged me to continue!

For Help:
http://www.ukhalsey.com//rulesquiz/quiztest/home.asp

Little Laser Lines

I keep forgetting to better arrange my lines for sailing! For example, my daggerboard bungy should be tied like this!

I've seen a good video of Canadian David Wright's rigging. I think his set-up might withstand any conditions.

Stinkin' Feet!

What is the best footwear when you are sailing a Laser? So far, in my sailing life, I've worn these:

MEC Bubba Neoprene Slippers

But they had no traction. So, I tried these:

Gul Evolution Boots

But, they are heavy, and the moment I get into the water, they fill up with water...So, I have these: 

Vibram 5-fingers KSO

A little simpler, lighter, but difficult to put on. What about high-end racing shoes, such as Aigle's hand-made Maramu dinghy boots?

Aigle Maramu Boots 

Ouch! Expensive. And, I'm nowhere near up-scaling my outfit! What is left for me to find? Maybe these ones:

Zhik Barefoot Boots

My quest continues...

I Like Saying Boltenhagen

I need to follow in Tom Slingsby's steps and "loose some weight"

Second Sail

Sail Day 2 (May 21, 2012):
Weather: Sunny, Very Warm, 7-10 knots
Rig time: still about 25 minutes
Sail time: about 1:30

I still couldn't reduce my time to rig the Laser. I left my mainsheet wrapped around the boom, which was a silly idea, since it simply became twisted. I also had a hard time loosening the outhaul. I didn't have enough tension on the hiking strap, which meant that when the wind picked up I couldn't hike out too far. This time around I tried to gybe more. It may take the whole season to really get it down right. Here's a video that helped me:



To do:
Goal: improve rigging time to 10 minutes.
Re-tie hiking strap

First Sail

Sail Day 1:
Weather: Sunny, Very Warm, Light Winds (5 knots), Cool Water
Rig time: 25 minutes
Sail time: about 1:30

Need to improve rigging time. I spent too much time fiddling with lines and knots. I also wonder if I need to bring along a paddle...The wind died and my light wind skills are poor. I also had an issue that one of my pins had 'disappeared' from one of my Seitech dolly wheels. So later I dropped by the Chandlery to buy two - one to replace, another spare. Overall. good sailing for my first time.

Long Distance Laser Sailing

Can a laser sail across the Irish Sea? Seems that two veteran Laser sailors are going to sail from Dublin to Southport...115 nautical miles. Impressive. See the full story here