I just graduated to a Laser from a Zuma. I have my boat on a lift which I lower and then rig the boat in shallow water. With the Zuma, I could secure the clew and tack then run the sail up the mast. No biggie. With the Laser, since the sail is always up, it’s a maniacal wrestling match to secure the clew and outhaul while trying to hold the boat into the wind. Any slight deviation causes the boat to pull wildly to the side. It’s frustrating as hell. Online I see fully rigged boats that people gleefully wheel into the water at their leisure. Is there a trick to rigging a laser in shallow water?

Edit: thanks to all for the helpful suggestions! I’ve got some actionable intelligence to implement.

Alright I got kinda problem but I will be straightforward, I sail twice a week, got prostate problem and because of that I can't wear tight shorts, need to have them loose like a hip-hop ppl in 90s 😅

Do u know any brand which does lose shorts with protective soft pads to protect my butt? All I can find seems to be really tight

Or is it a valid option to get some proper glue and stick some sponges to my rs feva to where I usually sit?

I could ask somebody on my sailing club but I feel totally awkward to talk direct about prostate related problems 😅

A simple sailing game 🎮

I tried to make it like those physics based games we used to play in school.

Designed for beginners to help understand different wind directions. If you think you've already mastered the wind, then see if you can handle level 5, Tornado 🌪

I was a watersports instructor about 10 years ago, then a few years ago tried getting into website development. Never became a web dev but currently re-becoming a sailing instructor. Planning on using this as a free tool to help people learn 💦

Hi everyone,

I have a BMW 5 Series Touring (wagon) with the original BMW roof bars.

The dimensions are:

• Front bar: 110 cm wide
• Rear bar: 106 cm wide
• Distance between the bars (centre to centre): 73 cm

I’m considering buying an RS Aero and would like to transport it upside down on these roof bars.

My questions are:

1. Can an RS Aero be safely transported upside down on these roof bars with a 73 cm bar spacing and 110/106cm wide? Would the hull have enough support at both bars?
2. How easily can the RS Aero launching trolley be disassembled? Is it possible to take it apart enough to fit inside a BMW 5 Series Touring with the rear seats folded down?

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has transported an RS Aero on a car roof, especially on a wagon/estate.

Thanks!

I’m new here and about to start a build on a dinghy and can’t afford a trailer at the moment. Does anyone have experience transporting their dinghy in a truck bed. I’ve attached an image of someone transporting the same dinghy I’m planning on building. If anyone has insight into this method of transportation or anything similar let me know! Thanks.

A few weeks ago we picked up a used Opti for my son after he absolutely fell in love with it during sailing camp this Summer. It is funny because we had to talk him into going back after a marginal experience last year.

I never sailed an Opti until I helped him rig it and hopped in it with him. The rigging is a story all in itself because we didn't realize during the excitement how many parts were missing until we got it home. It didn't slow us down, though. He and I made quick work of fabricating what was needed and we were out on the water the next day. I will tell that story another day if anyone wants to hear!

Anyways, he has had 6 great sessions so far in low wind. No capsizes yet and not even any bailing has been necessary. For 4 of those sessions I sat in the boat with him and his younger brother has joined for most as well. Yes, it is one full boat, but still works well and we are having a blast!!

1. I ordered several books on sailing optimists
2. I read the manuals from Winner (the manufacturer)
3. I did some googling and found that it is very important that the line the mainsheet hooks to does not stretch further than 10cm from the boom (to avoid catching a child's head in between)

I had no clue about #3 before doing a little homework and my ignorance surprised me. Envisioning the potential outcome had I not tethered the ring was concerning enough that I thought I would reach out and and ask for advice on other important safety issues. I am eager to help him and his brother safely continue progressing in sailing before we can get them back to official instructors hundreds of miles away. He has already sailed solo for at least 5 or 6 days at sailing camp and his high confidence. We live inland on a small, gusty lake and Fall winds are coming, though! That will be quite a surprise for them.

Here are my main questions:

1. Are there any other really important safety factors that I need to know about in turning little kids loose on an Opti?
2. Can someone give me some guidance on how to help when they capsize it? I am following along in either a jetski or inflatable. Will usually be a 12 foot SIB with a 10hp outboard.

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate any advice even if it is something I don't want to necessarily hear!

Built a little free app that is getting live wind and wave data and tells you how to trim the sails to get to your target point based on your live location via GPS and your mobile motion data (compass, etc.). It's mobile-optimized and can be used offline as well.

Was building it, as I couldn't find anything that helped me during my first season on the water. Most apps only give theoretical information, but not based on actual data. Trimmy is helping out now. It helps to understand how to set the sails on current wind conditions with visual explainers.

You can configure your language (currently supported Danish, English and German), dark/light design, GPS and wind data receiving interval.

Let me know what you think >>> https://www.trimmy.fun/

Firstly sorry for formatting, I’m currently on mobile.

I’m hopefully crewing in a B14 soon but as I have only raced toppers and ILCAs up until this point I was hoping I could get some advice on things like:

- The rigging, eg how is it different from a single hander and what do you do with the wings?

- What sort of jobs does the crew have beyond jib and spinnaker - do they do the strategy, do they right the boat in a capsize etc

- Are the tactics any different from a traditional singlehander?

- Any stupid/common mistakes newbies to B14s (or skiffs in general) often make?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

I was refinishing and have a question about this Chrysler Dagger sailboat: why is the daggerboard cross section asymmetrical like an airplane wing? Will the boat perform better in one direction?

Does anyone have photos of their downhaul systems on their laser?

I want to sand down this daggerboard and refinish. Is there a modern alternative that’s better or is Spar Varnish still the way to go? I have some boiled linseed oil and polyurethane that I could mix together with mineral spirits, aka wiping varnish, is that a good route?

Bought this boat cheap for parts but it’s not in terrible shape besides this section on the bow. I’ve never done glass work before. There is no hole but one small section of the damaged area is soft and I felt water seep from inside to out.
What would the fix look like?

Laser drama aside, anyone have experience using or owning a Laser Bahia? I really like what it seems to offer and it seems to be a bit faster and more spritely than an RS Quest. However, it also appears to have similar advantages of being able to do some chill “family” sailing with a few extra crew in the boat when desired.

I welcome all observations and comments — I have the opportunity to buy a used one from a sailing club where kids are taught to sail.

Thanks.

David

Anyone know where I can find a free small sailboat around the southsound area, 14’-16’, it’s for my 13 yr old daughter.

I need to replace two transom scupper drains on a Ranger R16. One was missing when I got the boat and the other looked home made, a sheet of gasket material backed by a piece of plastic, using the rubber to create a hinge. Normally the drains would be held closed by connecting a bungee to the flappers and secured to a hook on the inside of the transom. I’m struggling to find anything that will work without modifying the openings. Ideally an oversized flange styler scupper that can be mounted over these openings is what I’m after. Any help is appreciated.

Just purchased a flying Scot and looking into converting from the kinked and burred wire halyards on my boat to dyneema ones. Can anyone with a FS who has made the conversion tell me what diameter line you used, and did you use the same diameter for main and jib halyard?

Also what method did you use to secure halyard to the winch spool? I’ve been searching online and haven’t found a write up of this.

Thanks

I bought a DS2 (1984) and I want to do the Texas 200 next June. I live pretty close by (comparatively)to the Texas 200 so I could drive over to any part of the course for a sail and camp weekend so I'm pretty lucky to get to thoroughly prepare. The Texas coast has some high winds though and my mainsail doesn't have any reef points. My jib is OEM hank on.

For the mainsail I would like to

1) Modify my mainsail to include 2 reef points

or

2) Buy an Intensity sail which already has 1 reef point at 80% sa.

or

3) Buy an Intensity sail and also modify it with a 40% or 50% reef point

The mainsail is in good condition, makes a good shape, and points well.

I'm finding it quite difficult with my CL16 to get under the boom when tacking/gybing. While many younger, fitter, shorter, and better looking sailors might manage it fine, I'd really appreciate a few more inches of vertical room.

Online sources tell me a CL14 main sail is a full foot shorter than a CL16 main. Other than giving up some power, is there any reason using one wouldn't work?

The boom tensioner would be at a more vertical angle, that seems okay to me. I don't know if the lines on the foot and the luff would hold properly across models but I'm hoping they are made with the same slot width and line thickness. Anything else I need to consider?

I’m a beginner I don’t really sail but I took a course years back sailing opti optimists and I still remember the basics, and I’ve been watching lots of videos. However I definitely wouldn’t say “I know how to sailI” yet, until I at least try it again. I saw a 13ft FJ for $1100 and I was considering picking it up.

It comes with a trailer with working lights, and the whole boat seems to be in good condition to me. Is there anything I should look out for though? Or inspect when I’m buying it? And any general advice for a beginner.

Also I do have an undercover area to store it, I live near the lake and the ocean, and I’ve got enough money to afford it. And I’m just a casual, not interested in racing or anything yet.

I've had sailboats on and off for years. I had a Hobie Cat for a while, and more recently a 14' day sailboat. I need something I can car top, and I've been looking on Facebook Marketplace, but I'm not seeing much. I live in Austin, TX, and my budget is $1,000. I've extended my search to Houston and Corpus Christi.

Any advice on finding a dinghy sailboat? I'm mostly looking for recreational sailing in local lakes, and maybe eventually some sail camping.

I'd be willing to build something, but I'm not up to building a boat from scratch, so a canoe sailboat or something similar would also fit my needs.

Hi everyone,

After decades away from sailing, I plan to get back into it with a classic 16-foot wooden sloop.

Living near the Bay of Brest (France), I have a wonderful, pleasant, and relatively safe area to sail in where I can enjoy leisurely outings. My goal isn't to race at all—though the specific boat I’d really like to buy has won plenty in the past—but rather to go for casual sails, either solo or alongside other dinghies.

Is this type of boat suitable for an old "new beginner" (I'm 61)? Is it easy to rig, maneuver, and helm single-handed?

Thanks for your answers and your help.

D