WSC Laser Clinic by: John Sturman May 2017
Hobby
An activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure.
Educational Materials
Books, DVDs (Cabarete, Rooster), YouTube, LaserForum.org,
TheLaserSailor, Clinics
Boat Setup
Downhaul & Vang tied to dagger board.
Clew Tie- Velcro- always tightly cinched around boom.
Vang shockcord to prevent vang key from falling out of boom.
Speed-rig fast-pins- APS- for vang and downhaul.
Mainsheet length = X. 46’ may be good too-long starting
point. Goal is enough length so in light air can ease boom beyond 90deg then
heel to weather to allow gravity to hold boom forward/out. Tie end of mainsheet
with loose bowline around hiking strap so any tangle is never a true knot, and
loose bowline can be moved up to ratchet for fully eased sheet.
Telltales & Wind indicator flavors
Hiking strap adjustment- even pressure on calfs and thighs.
Some people adjust the setting during racing.
Boat Handling
Hiking stick- boxer
2-hand trimming
Ease-Hike-Trim when gusts hit.
Tacking transfer of tiller behind back.
Mainsheet maintenance: pile mainsheet in aft region of
cockpit. On port tack upwind have mainsheet run from ratchet through left hand
and across tops of legs into rear. On startboard tack have mainsheet run from
ratchet through right hand then down toward ratchet and under legs on starboard
side of hiking strap to rear. Mainsheet cleats are useful for cleaning up
mainsheet mess after starting and leeward mark.
Roll-tack 15% roll/85% flatten
Crossing the boat- hiking strap/rail grab
Frying-pan grip on hiking stick in light air.
Weight placement forward/aft. Forward until bow dunking
under or planning.
Gybing & mainsheet & transom & water &
trimming
Downwind stability By-the-lee & reaching vs DDW
S-gybe concept
Heavy Air – controls, mainsheet tack,
Sail Trim
Boom vang slack setting 29” boom-to-transom
Outhaul slack setting 10” clew-to-fairlead
Upwind outhaul 6” max depth of cloth to boom.
Mainsheet 10” eased max power. Never looser.
2-blocked power
Downwind vang setting for lively leech
Reaching setup?
Practice Sessions
Gym training: flexibility, abs, back, thighs, cardio, grip, arms,
long-jump
2-buoy laps
Rabbit Starts
5-tack/gybe drills
Racing
Race log to track trends at venues and tactical choices and
speed settings.
Starting- loose vang so no power driving boat over starting
line, time-on-distance
Racing rules- sword & shield combined with tactics.
Racing tactics – upwind, downwind