How to Sail the Laser: LASERS SAIL EARLY

HOW TO---

The little boat has been around for 35 years plus and there is a lot of information out about how to sail it.

So this BLOG is just some ideas to bounce off.

If you are just starting then go to PRIMARY ADVICE of Feb. 09. That is the best starting place.

There are a lot of books and DVDs to tell you how to do it.

Books:

Dick Tillman "The Complete Book of Laser Sailing" The first and revised and new sections added. The old bible

Glen Bourke "Championship Laser Sailing" How to, plus the story of his run to World Champion.

Ben Ainslie "The Laser Campaign Manual" includes a CD ROM. Great picture sequences.

Ben Tan "The Complete Introduction to Laser Racing" Not written by world champion but biggest and most complete with training and medical section. If you only have one book, get this one.

Tim Davidson "The Laser Book" Some of the best pictures.

Paul Goodison "RYA Laser Book" Great pictures and advice with some simple things glossed over.

DVD:

"Laser Coach 2000 CD" Computer thing with around the course format.

Rick White "Red Hot Sailboat Racing DVD" Basic DVD The one to start with.

Steve Cockrell "Rooster Sailing Lasser Boat Whisperer" both "Up wind" and "Down wind" DVDs These are the MUST ones. Advanced sailing. Do a lot of the other stuff first so you don't get to scared with the high wind materal.

Michael Blackburn "Bass Strait Laser" Crossing Bass Strait
is a long time on a broad reach. Amasing what he puts on and can still sail a Laser. Surfing and gybing sequences. Maybe share this one with friends but you can skip this one.

"Advanced Laser Boat Handling" DVD by the Laser Training Center in Cabarete. Instructional DVD pictures of professional type sailors demonstrating tacks, gybes, etc. If you really want to be good you should see this DVD.

"Sailfit Seminars" DVD Sailfit.com... 82 minutes from Kurt Taulbee's Seminars in Clearwater, Florida. He has given a 5 day seminar here in Eustis, Florida. and is well thought of. Tillerman attended at least one of his in Clearwater. A good look at seminar exercises and lots of stuff done the wrong way with Kurt's comments. The comments cover some new ground for us. You should see the no rudder exercise, if you have ever tried it and given up. How about pulling up the centerboard on the starting line, if you want to slide to lee a little.

"Daring Downwinds-- Clearwater Pass" DVD Sailfit.com
Kurt Taulbee's video of the high winds and high waves as the tide rips out the pass, the high winds blow in and crazy radial sailors try to get back in. Some comments about how to handle it by Kurt, but more questions than answers. A little like the Bass Strait Crossing, but with a bunch of wipe outs.

At Lake Eustis Laser fleet you can borrow all these books and DVDs from Sam. In another fleet maybe just divide them up and get most to pass around. All the advice is not the same and you get a little different flavor from each.

Now if you do that -- you can skip all the stuff I put in the right hand side of this blog.

Monday, January 10, 2011

LASERS SAIL EARLY

Lasers get out and sail early. Maybe half hour before the scheduled race start. Yes, you have heard this before but we are reviewing the advice of Buddy Melges via his book "Sailing Smart".

He wants you to get out 30 minutes before the start of the race.
1. Warm up with some tacks and gybes.
2. Get you sail set up for up wind and down.
3. Check for current at the marks.
4. Check the right and left sides of the course for the best winds. Do this with another boat, if you can arrange it. One sail the left side of the course and the other the right.
5. Don't forget to stand up to look for the pressure. The good sun glasses helps you to see it.
6. Keep track of the starting time and be sure to be back at the committee boat before the start.
7. Yes, I know a lot of good sailors that just arrive before the race and can still win.... but not sailing against Buddy and the better sailors.
8. You think this is too early, but if it is an important event at a new place the good guys arrive a week or so before to get some local knowledge and familiar with the conditions.
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