1 October 2001
RULE CHANGES General Background
In
January 1999 the Laser Class World Council set in motion
a proposal to review the control line systems on the
Laser with a view to making the control lines (boom vang,
Cunningham and Outhaul) easier to handle for lighter
weight sailors and people joining the class. The
class members approved the changes in principle during
1999. During 2000 a World Council Working Party
was tasked with putting the proposals into a final
format and testing various systems. Much
work was undertaken with a wide range of input.
This work was finalised at a 4 day meeting in late
January 2001 when the working party met with builders’
representatives and test sailed proposed systems using a
variety of experienced and inexperienced sailors and
established a framework for the rules drafting.
Drafts were prepared and the builders went into the
final development phase of producing production fittings
and testing these.
In
preparing the new rules the Working Party followed World
Council guidelines that the changes should be easy to
retrofit with a minimum of tools, that there should be a
similar freedom on rigging control lines to the current
rules without compromising the "one design"
philosophy of the Laser class and that the controls
should be simple and look neat. In addition the
Working Party felt it was desirable to limit cost
increases by restricting additional fittings, that the
rules should contain enough direction to limit to
maintain a controlled evolution, that allowed solutions
should work in strong weather conditions, that all boats
should continue to look similar and any new fittings
have an aesthetic design.
The
final outcome was to give the following options:
A
builder supplied deck fitting to take two sailor
supplied blocks that replaces the cunningham fairlead
using the same fixing holes (photo A)
Photo
A
A
builder supplied cleat base to take two sailor supplied
cam cleats that replaces the existing cunningham clam
cleat using the same holes (photo B)
Photo
B
Together
with other changes this brings both the cunningham and
outhaul controls to the centre of the deck (photo C also
showing one of several prototype builder supplied vang
fittings and a 4:1 cascade system for the cunningham).
Photo
C
A
builder supplied vang cleating fitting incorporating
blocks and a swivel cam cleat as an integral fitting.
Upgrading
the existing vang fittings with additional blocks
It was
determined that leading the boom vang control to the
deck was unnecessary, would add cost with little or
benefit and the builders were concerned about increased
loads on the deck fittings.
The changes – overview
Cunningham and Outhaul
The
remaining improvements to the cunningham and outhaul are
the substitution of rope loops (with or without
thimbles) with blocks (up to 4) and allow 3 separate
lines in the cunningham and 2 separate lines in the
outhaul to rig cascade systems.
Boom Vang
The
Working Party originally recommended to limit the boom
vang options to avoid a proliferation of “home made”
systems whilst still allowing improved control and
similar flexibility to what we are currently used to.
Since the draft rules were published on the website
questions raised included will there be an option to not
use the full amount of purchases in each system as
illustrated. As a result the Boom Vang rule has
been revised. There are restrictions on the
number of extra blocks allowed, the original small boom
vang block may be replaced by a double pulley block, 1
or 2 blocks may be added to the original vang cleating
block. The following photos 1,2,3 and 4 illustrate
some examples of what is now allowed.
The
original 3:1 simple system (photo 1).
Photo 1
Upgrade
One (photo 2)
Sailor
research indicated that many would be happy using
existing systems and just substituting blocks or
thimbles for rope loops in the line. This a simple
upgrade, which on popular systems requires one
additional small block and is a significant improvement.
Photo
2
Upgrade
2 (photo 3)
A
further upgrade to remove a friction point in the system
where one of the purchases runs over a rivet in at the
bottom of the small alloy vang key block is illustrated
in photo 3. Both the systems in photo 2 and 3 use
the same length of rope and provide an 8:1 system.
Photo
3
Upgrade
3 (photo 4)
The
original objectives had still not been fully met in
providing a system that was easy to use and rig for
young and lightweight sailors. This was
achieved with a completely new vang cleat fitting to be
builder supplied. Several fittings are currently
being considered by the builders and should be
introduced before the end of the year. These
options offer 15:1 purchase and are specifically
designed for lighter weight and younger sailors.
The target price for these vang systems is 135 US
dollars retail.
Although
not offering the advantages of an improved cleating
system the Working Party felt it was desirable to allow
a 15:1 system using the existing blocks with some
limited additions. This option uses a single block
either side of the existing large alloy cleat block and
a “floating” double block with a becket.(photo 4).
Photo
4
Mast retention
line - NEW RULE FOR ALL BOATS
One of the side effects of
allowing blocks in the control line systems is that the
reduced friction increases the risk of the mast falling
out of the mast step if a Laser goes upside down when
capsized. This has happened even with
existing controls and without the new deck fittings.
To prevent this a new rule has been introduced requiring
a simple mast retention line between the cunningham
fairlead/deck fitting and either the gooseneck or vang
mast fitting.
TESTING
All
the rope systems have been tested by Mark Littlejohn.
Mark is an experienced and top class Laser Sailor.
As well as being an Olympic coach he is also a full time
Laser coach concentrating on Laser Radial and Laser 4.7
club sailors. He joined us for our practical test
session in January and since then has carried out
further tests both himself and using a variety of club
sailors. He has prepared a rigging guide.
INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW SYSTEMS
The
rule changes have now received ISAF’s final approval.
The builder supplied deck block plate that replaces the
cunningham fairlead and cleat base are currently in
production and are being distributed to dealers.
The builder supplied vang options are currently being
tooled for production and will be available later this
year. Further details and pictures on these will
be published on our website as they are released by the
builders.
The
deck block fitting, the deck cleat base and the builder
supplied vang cleat fitting will be available
separately. Both Performance Sailcraft Europe and
Vanguard Sailboats have indicated that they will offer
pre-packed complete upgrade systems for each
control which will include additional blocks and new
control lines together with rigging instructions.
SUMMARY
There
are an infinite number of changes that could have been
made. Everyone has a different idea of what should
be allowed and how to rig a particular system. We
have hopefully found a balance which meets the original
reasons for the review of control systems, allows a
measured upgrade path to suit all with easier to use
control systems without significant expense.
Jeff Martin
Executive
Secretary
MARK
LITTLEJOHN’S RIGGING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEW RULES
Adding
blocks to whatever system you use significantly reduces
the amount of friction so you can reduce the number of
purchases for the same amount of effort to pull the
control line. Removing the friction also allows
the control lines to release more easily.
Note:
the photographs show one of the prototypes of a builders
supplied vang cleat.
CUNNINGHAM
4:1
system
Rope:
3.94 metres 5mm diameter
Fittings:
1 small single block
1.
Tie the end of a line to a small single block.
2.
Pass the line through the cunningham cringle in
the sail making sure that the block is on the nut side
of the gooseneck fitting.
3.
Take the line down to the mast boom vang fitting.
4.
Adjust the line so that the block is just below
the gooseneck fitting.
5.
Tie the line at the mast boom vang fitting.
6.
Take the free end of the line back to the block
and through it.
7.
Then take it back down to the deck and through
the original cunningham fairlead or a block on the new
deck block fitting.
8:1
system
Rope:
0.92 metres 3 mm diameter spectra core and 3.94 metres 5
mm diameter
Fittings:
2 small blocks
1.
Tie the end of a line (suggest spectron 12 or
similar) to a small single block.
2.
Pass the line through the cunningham cringle in
the sail making sure that the block is on the nut side
of the gooseneck fitting.
3.
Take the line down to the mast boom vang fitting.
4.
Adjust the line so that the block is as close as
possible to the cunningham cringle in the sail.
5.
Tie the line at the mast boom vang fitting.
6.
Take another small single block and tie it to the
second 5mm line. Pass the free end through the
first block on the spectra core rope that the second
block sits alongside the first block.
7.
Cut off any spare line.
8.
Take second line and tie it to the mast boom vang
fitting.
9.
Take the free end back to the second block and
through it. Make sure the two blocks are still
sitting next to each other.
10.
Then take it back down to the deck and through
the original cunningham fairlead or a block on the new
deck block fitting.
OUTHAUL
SYSTEM.
Ropes:
Clew tie down - 0.62 metres 3 mm spectra core, clew of
sail inboard (primary part) 1.7 metres 3mm spectra core,
from cleat bridge to primary part to gooseneck and deck
(secondary part) 4.81 metres of 4mm, gooseneck block
rope .62 metres 4mm, shockcord inhaul 1.02 metres 5mm.
Fittings:
1 small block with a hook attached, 2 small blocks.
1.
Dead end a block to the spectra core.
2.
Measure 9 inches/ 230 mm from the end of the
block and tie a bowline loop, with the spectra core,
around the boom. Make sure you can get two fingers
between the boom and the loop.
3.
Take the non-block end of the spectra core rope
and thread it through the outhaul fairlead on the boom.
4.
Pass the same end through the pulley on the hook
block and take it back to the outhaul boom end fitting
and tie it to this. This is the primary part.
5.
For the secondary part tie the end of the other
rope to the bridge on the outhaul boom cleat.
6.
Take the other end of this rope and thread
it through the block on the end of the spectra core
rope.
This
is how it should look.
When
you have done this you will not have to do it again as
it is left on the boom permanently.
7.
Now attach a block to the bottom mast at the
gooseneck. Make sure the pulley sits at the bottom of
the gooseneck fitting.
This fitting
can be left on permanently and the rope is taped on so
that ends of the rope are kept tidy and out of the way.
8.
Now we can attach the sail to the boom with the
hook as shown.
9.
Put the boom on the gooseneck and pull the pink
rope so that the pulley is pulled close to the outhaul
cleat.
10.
Take the free end of the second rope and tie a
bowline loop around the boom 4 inches 100 mm back from
the boom vang fitting. Make sure you can get two fingers
between the boom and the loop.
11.
Take the end of this rope and pass it over the
top of the cunningham rope and thread it through the
pulley on the mast down towards the deck.
12.
Finally tie the clew of the sail down with the
short spectra core rope in the usual way. Remember to
tie it very tight so that the bottom of the sail is as
close as possible to the boom.
13.
To allow the outhaul to be let out with ease in
light winds a piece of shock cord can be attached to the
clew tie down. This is optional. Tie the shock cord to
the clew tie down.
14.
Tie the other end of the shock cord to the
outhaul boom cleat.
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