Off the wind put up the gennaker even when you feel over powered,
Sail more off the wind to start with then when the apparent wind moves forward you can tighten up and sail a course that wouldn't have been possible at lower speeds. Dive off in the gusts an head up in the lulls. You will develop a feel very quickly to do this.
I have never had as much fun helming a boat as in an l4k in a blow.
We've capsized beating and reaching around in a strong wind largely down to the helm not answering due to excessive weather helm. The l4k is only balanced when the kite is up. I've sailed in condititions that were crazy hard o sail in without the kite that turned into exciting but completely balanced 25kntsPH streaks downwind. The L4k is made to fly it's gennaker. If it's not up it will not handle well off the wind. it will point up constantly.
You have to let it have it's head in high winds. Pinching up puts huge loads on the rig andfmakes it a tightrope to hold the boat upright. Come off the wind a bit and you plane upwind. Less course made good but the speed though the water more than makes up for it. Furthermore the pressure on the rig is reduced because you are moving closer to windspeed so there is less heel drama. It's counter intuitive but you need to try it. It Works.
3 seasons in now to the l4k I thought I'd post some more experiences.
We're now comfortable in about 20-25mph winds with gusts above that.
so about force 5 I guess.
In My experience you can depower to apoint by using gnav and outhaul and cunningham and that works until about 20 mph at which point the kicker will have a negative impact on anything other than a tight beat. Loosen off the gnav a bit and saila bit off the wind. Reduces pressure on the sails and the boat goes faster.
bryce, its obvious the Laser was not in a regatta while the video was taken. Of course you want the boat flat, but it is important that prospective sailors see the fun of the sport. Remember the three most important letters. F-U-N. Why do I know? Because I did it for a living for 20 years on warm blue water and average of 17 knts. In the 80's they would have had bikinis hiking out.
My crew and I moved to the l4k from a 420 last season. It's a lot more physical. the boat is inherently more unstable especially with the wings out but it's manageable.
3 sail reaches in a decent wind are initially terrifying but sooooooo much fun and such a rush that you'll keep practicing.
We found it similar to th 420 but a lot less forgiving as you'd expect. But with the Kite up it's completely different.
Never ever run. Reach and jibe. Jibes are easier than in 420 as long as it's fast.
@simoncondry To be fair My crew and I had both been well overdue for a move from the 420.
We ended up only enjoying the 420 in ludicrous winds 20+knots stuff.
Our logic was that we could go out in the l4k in 12knots and get that same challenge.
It's proved much harder than we thought but we've had handful of really mazing days in it.
One day in particular where we beat down river to the estuary for about 3 hours then hoisted the kite and came back in about 10 mins. It was scary but SO MUCH FUN
I'm considering to buy one, but none off us sailed a skiff before, is it more manageable than a 29er? I did found cheap ones, looks like incredible fun! I sail nationals on laser and my friends are provincial sailors....
yes and no like you dont want to be that light like 110 to 120 and up is better than you and crew want to be around the same weight for good balance like im 120 and i sailed with a kid whos 225 which didnt work out so wel
half of the comments are complete shit! stand on the plastic thing! roflmao ok so gust hit pull tiller towards you sharpish that shud brong the boat flatter whilst you yank tiller you can release a bit of main. the fist few times you do this you may dunk your crew in but you will grasp it.
i think you are talking about dry dunking. Where you step on the centerboard/ daggerboard as the boat capsizes then you dont have to swim around and get tangled in the ropes and shit
when you capsize 1 of you can step on the piece of plastic (dunno the word in english) at the bottom of your boat, because you don't become whet if you do that an because it's faster
In summary:
In high winds don't be tempted to pinch.
Sail a bit off the wind and get it planing.
Off the wind put up the gennaker even when you feel over powered,
Sail more off the wind to start with then when the apparent wind moves forward you can tighten up and sail a course that wouldn't have been possible at lower speeds. Dive off in the gusts an head up in the lulls. You will develop a feel very quickly to do this.
I have never had as much fun helming a boat as in an l4k in a blow.
GL
edshift 4 months ago
We've capsized beating and reaching around in a strong wind largely down to the helm not answering due to excessive weather helm. The l4k is only balanced when the kite is up. I've sailed in condititions that were crazy hard o sail in without the kite that turned into exciting but completely balanced 25kntsPH streaks downwind. The L4k is made to fly it's gennaker. If it's not up it will not handle well off the wind. it will point up constantly.
edshift 4 months ago
You have to let it have it's head in high winds. Pinching up puts huge loads on the rig andfmakes it a tightrope to hold the boat upright. Come off the wind a bit and you plane upwind. Less course made good but the speed though the water more than makes up for it. Furthermore the pressure on the rig is reduced because you are moving closer to windspeed so there is less heel drama. It's counter intuitive but you need to try it. It Works.
Also The boat is so much happier with the kite up
edshift 4 months ago
3 seasons in now to the l4k I thought I'd post some more experiences.
We're now comfortable in about 20-25mph winds with gusts above that.
so about force 5 I guess.
In My experience you can depower to apoint by using gnav and outhaul and cunningham and that works until about 20 mph at which point the kicker will have a negative impact on anything other than a tight beat. Loosen off the gnav a bit and saila bit off the wind. Reduces pressure on the sails and the boat goes faster.
edshift 4 months ago
Still, for me, the best video on you tube.
:-)))
edshift 1 year ago
bryce, its obvious the Laser was not in a regatta while the video was taken. Of course you want the boat flat, but it is important that prospective sailors see the fun of the sport. Remember the three most important letters. F-U-N. Why do I know? Because I did it for a living for 20 years on warm blue water and average of 17 knts. In the 80's they would have had bikinis hiking out.
jam24u 1 year ago 2
boat isn't flat enough at all, dragging that wing will cost you heaps at a regatta.
bryce65 1 year ago
I have just bought one.
Now I will have to learn to sail in coz they are nothin like a 420
simoncondry 2 years ago
My crew and I moved to the l4k from a 420 last season. It's a lot more physical. the boat is inherently more unstable especially with the wings out but it's manageable.
3 sail reaches in a decent wind are initially terrifying but sooooooo much fun and such a rush that you'll keep practicing.
We found it similar to th 420 but a lot less forgiving as you'd expect. But with the Kite up it's completely different.
Never ever run. Reach and jibe. Jibes are easier than in 420 as long as it's fast.
edshift 2 years ago
@simoncondry To be fair My crew and I had both been well overdue for a move from the 420.
We ended up only enjoying the 420 in ludicrous winds 20+knots stuff.
Our logic was that we could go out in the l4k in 12knots and get that same challenge.
It's proved much harder than we thought but we've had handful of really mazing days in it.
One day in particular where we beat down river to the estuary for about 3 hours then hoisted the kite and came back in about 10 mins. It was scary but SO MUCH FUN
edshift 1 year ago
I'm considering to buy one, but none off us sailed a skiff before, is it more manageable than a 29er? I did found cheap ones, looks like incredible fun! I sail nationals on laser and my friends are provincial sailors....
CptCippe 2 years ago
It's a quite more manageable than the 29er, since it is much heavier and the hull shape is less extreme. On the downside loads are a bit higher.
As far as speed, it's a little faster than the niner in low wind (up to 10 knots) and a little bit slower when wind increases..
If you find cheap ones, definetly go for it. the learning curve isn't much steep.. only difficult thing to learn is the Gybe
17mika17 2 years ago
hmm might have to consider changing from my laser 2
bmda106 2 years ago
get a v3000, step up from a laser 2, faster, not unmanageable and great fun, similar speed to a 29er.
Masskater 2 years ago
awsum video
i want that boat!!
how much expirience do u need to sail it?
barney470 2 years ago
intermidiate to advanced but its not experience its weight
extremedude71 2 years ago
weight wise i think from 140 to a lot more is fine, i've sailed it a few times and it is really cool.
If the 470 stands for the boat i think you should be ok, its not a lot more difficult.
I havent tried the kite yet though.
ThomasR099 2 years ago
yeah but its got an adjustible rack so the crew weight shudnt be a problem tho shud it?
barney470 2 years ago
yes and no like you dont want to be that light like 110 to 120 and up is better than you and crew want to be around the same weight for good balance like im 120 and i sailed with a kid whos 225 which didnt work out so wel
extremedude71 2 years ago
@extremedude71 - No Experience is far more important.
It's weight equalised pretty far down on weight.
My crew and I are below the weight equalisation on the boat. Wings full out we have major fun.
Harder to be competitive in a blow but I'd take the sailing anyday over the old 420.
edshift 1 year ago
Comment removed
edshift 1 year ago
@edshift That should read experience is far. more important. :-)
edshift 1 year ago
half of the comments are complete shit! stand on the plastic thing! roflmao ok so gust hit pull tiller towards you sharpish that shud brong the boat flatter whilst you yank tiller you can release a bit of main. the fist few times you do this you may dunk your crew in but you will grasp it.
sullyillingstudios 2 years ago
No not keelboats - centreboard.
edshift 3 years ago
are laser 4000's keelboats??
sailindude1221 3 years ago
i think you are talking about dry dunking. Where you step on the centerboard/ daggerboard as the boat capsizes then you dont have to swim around and get tangled in the ropes and shit
bcrich4030 3 years ago
when you capsize 1 of you can step on the piece of plastic (dunno the word in english) at the bottom of your boat, because you don't become whet if you do that an because it's faster
thssttvt 3 years ago
Cool!!
levimorice 3 years ago
ok thank you ;)
pakimadrid 3 years ago
Good vid, but try keeping the boat flatter and bear away when overpowered. Would have stopped the capsize
jpschof 3 years ago
I think they were trying to showboat and have the crew trapezing off the helm's shoulders....
Cool if you could pull it off.
:-)
EdShift
edshift 3 years ago
How much is cost?
pakimadrid 3 years ago
We got one for for £1050 uk. - About maybe $1700 US-ish.
A lot of boat for not a lot of money.
EdShift.
edshift 3 years ago