Laser 4000 ENV

BEES voile legert

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• sunrise

[edshift]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Still, for me, the best video on you tube.

:-)))

[edshift]

@edshift That should read experience is far.

 more important. :-)

[edshift]

@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.

[jam24u]

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.

[bryce65]

boat isn't flat enough at all, dragging that wing will cost you heaps at a regatta.

[edshift]

@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