Hi Matthew - this content comes from RYA Champion Club - currently not on DVD but you can view all the videos on our RYA Champion Club playlist (I've added the link to the video description)
Thanks for the vid, but not gonna lie, it was frenetic and didn't help too much. the video jumps were distracting and the explanation/voice-over wasn't synched with what was going on in the vid. Maybe a redo is warranted?
that's an awful lot of tiller on the tack. great body movement but that much rudder just murders your speed. I don't think the tiller should ever go beyond the rear corner of the cockpit
What he's doing with the sheet at the end of the tack is wrong. Also, the voice over states that moving inboard helps the boat heading up. That's not how you tack on a Laser.
I don't think you would be able to compete efficiently at big events. The ILCA states that Laser Sailors must be able to race up in up to 30kts of breeze.3 races in 30kts is tough, regardless of what rig you sail. I'm 70kg (150lbs) 6 foot 2 in, and still race in the 4.7. My added weight means I literally tear up the fleet when its windy. I can also keep the boat flatter in moderate winds which furthermore increases my speed. However, I do train in a radial and the full rig (if its light).
+Sir Will Quinn I'm 70 kg and I race in the Standard Class :) Anyway, 70 is really too much for a 4.7. ILCA states that Laser Sailors should be able to race up to 30 knots, but a race can be done with 6 knots too. I don't think you can be competitive with 70 kg on the 4.7 with 6 knots. 70 Kg is the perfect weight for Radial, if you are fit you can handle a wind up to 30 knots, and you'll fly with 6 knots if you know how to do it.
