DAVE'S LASER RIGS COMPARISON
LASER STANDARD, RADIAL & 4.7
The techniques used for sailing the three different Laser rigs is mainly similar as they are all unstayed rigs with a stiff two part mast.
The full rig becomes overpowered earlier in the wind range than the smaller rigs. Sounds obvious but even if you take into account the generally lighter sailors using the smaller rigs they still need to power up for longer as the wind builds. Therefore, be careful not to apply too much rig tension to the 4.7 in marginal winds to remain powered up.
The Radial rig is relatively powerful for its size with a fuller cut however the mk6 version of the sail is easier to de-power than the mk5. In marginal winds it will not point as high as the full rig so it is probably not a good idea for a Radial to start close to windward of a full rig on windward starts or tack too close on top on the beat.
In the really light stuff downwind in the Radial, when you are struggling to get air flow over the sail, it would seem to be beneficial to use slightly more kicker tension than is used for the standard. This will flatten the sail luff (which is very full in the Radial) and help air flow across the sail . Dont over kicker though as this will stop the leach flicking.
When handicap racing there is a wind strength when the full rigs just start to plane and the Radial will fall away on the reaches. This is the time when the Radials should make the best they can of the beat and run !!!! When the wind strength increases it is very difficult for the Standards to pull away from the smaller rigs
The 4.7 rig does not require a lot of kicker tension (or to a degree Cunningham) because there is not a large roach area in the sail to be controlled. In contrast the full rig needs substantial grunt to aid control hence the new control lines and the increase in the number of bent top sections!! Be careful not to over kicker the 4.7 as the wind begins to increase otherwise you will stall the flow of wind across the sail.
As the wind increases the 4.7 competes very well on handicap and is very fast upwind in a blow but remember not to pinch to high, its better to foot of the wind sailing free and fast. This is due to the smaller rig which is well raked back As soon as there is enough wind for the 4.7 to get going downwind then the other rigs are in trouble on handicap. However in light to medium winds the relatively underpowered 4.7 will struggle so you will need as much power as possible to aid acceleration therefore a fuller sail is needed; loose outhaul and Cunningham and little or no kicker use the mainsheet more to control leach tension and fullness in the gusts.
Every sailor has a slightly different sailing style to match their size and weight (and fitness level??). For instance lightweight sailors generally sail very high upwind with a flatter sail. Flatter sails are much more difficult to use as their trimming angle tolerance is much smaller. A slightly fuller sail will give you more feel but dont go too full with the outhaul as this creates turbulence.
So when you go sailing next time have a play with your ropes (make sure no ones looking!!) Start with middle settings and make slight adjustments until you find that sweet spot (thats usually the fastest setting for you).
But dont forget the basics and become too preoccupied with adjustments. The boat sails fastest when you sit in the right place and trim the sail correctly- practice a lot and get a feel for it.
LASER STANDARD, RADIAL & 4.7
The techniques used for sailing the three different Laser rigs is mainly similar as they are all unstayed rigs with a stiff two part mast.
The full rig becomes overpowered earlier in the wind range than the smaller rigs. Sounds obvious but even if you take into account the generally lighter sailors using the smaller rigs they still need to power up for longer as the wind builds. Therefore, be careful not to apply too much rig tension to the 4.7 in marginal winds to remain powered up.
The Radial rig is relatively powerful for its size with a fuller cut however the mk6 version of the sail is easier to de-power than the mk5. In marginal winds it will not point as high as the full rig so it is probably not a good idea for a Radial to start close to windward of a full rig on windward starts or tack too close on top on the beat.
In the really light stuff downwind in the Radial, when you are struggling to get air flow over the sail, it would seem to be beneficial to use slightly more kicker tension than is used for the standard. This will flatten the sail luff (which is very full in the Radial) and help air flow across the sail . Dont over kicker though as this will stop the leach flicking.
When handicap racing there is a wind strength when the full rigs just start to plane and the Radial will fall away on the reaches. This is the time when the Radials should make the best they can of the beat and run !!!! When the wind strength increases it is very difficult for the Standards to pull away from the smaller rigs
The 4.7 rig does not require a lot of kicker tension (or to a degree Cunningham) because there is not a large roach area in the sail to be controlled. In contrast the full rig needs substantial grunt to aid control hence the new control lines and the increase in the number of bent top sections!! Be careful not to over kicker the 4.7 as the wind begins to increase otherwise you will stall the flow of wind across the sail.
As the wind increases the 4.7 competes very well on handicap and is very fast upwind in a blow but remember not to pinch to high, its better to foot of the wind sailing free and fast. This is due to the smaller rig which is well raked back As soon as there is enough wind for the 4.7 to get going downwind then the other rigs are in trouble on handicap. However in light to medium winds the relatively underpowered 4.7 will struggle so you will need as much power as possible to aid acceleration therefore a fuller sail is needed; loose outhaul and Cunningham and little or no kicker use the mainsheet more to control leach tension and fullness in the gusts.
Every sailor has a slightly different sailing style to match their size and weight (and fitness level??). For instance lightweight sailors generally sail very high upwind with a flatter sail. Flatter sails are much more difficult to use as their trimming angle tolerance is much smaller. A slightly fuller sail will give you more feel but dont go too full with the outhaul as this creates turbulence.
So when you go sailing next time have a play with your ropes (make sure no ones looking!!) Start with middle settings and make slight adjustments until you find that sweet spot (thats usually the fastest setting for you).
But dont forget the basics and become too preoccupied with adjustments. The boat sails fastest when you sit in the right place and trim the sail correctly- practice a lot and get a feel for it.