Lainie,
Yes, the "old" radial rig did have a halyard. I don't remember when they
made the change, but I bought an older boat to fix up for a girlfriend that
I had at about the time that "NORTH" started making our sails. Girlfriend
wanted the radial rig, so we ordered the "RADIAL PACKAGE" form one of the
dealers that advertised in "The Laser Sailor" I received the reply that
Radials were out of stock, we will send the kit when we get one in. (Cashed
my check, but couldn't send merchandise) About two months later I
received a letter telling me that there had been a change in the radial, and
there was stock on the way. Six weeks later, I received by UPS a lower mast
section with a note that "ORDER WAS COMPLETE" Several phone calls later, I
convinced my favorite dealer that I needed the rest of the "RADIAL PACKAGE".
Five days later, I got a sail and battens, but the top of the sail had a
loop made from the same canvas material that my Laser sail has at the top to
keep the masthead from sticking through. Another couple of calls to DEALER
and "OH, you have an old sail that needs a Halyard." BUT this new sail has
a 'NORTH' sticker on it, and it came in a 'NORTH' bag. "But you need a
halyard for that sail" OK send me the halyard part of my "RADIAL
PACKAGE" Several days later (and MANY, MANY phone calls) I am told to
send the sail back for replacement. About 10 days later, I get a sail that
has had the top "altered' a big bulge where the STRAP was sewn in, with
the strap cut off, and the top webbing sewn in. AND! a nice oval on the
lower portion, near the TACK grommet where a NORTH sticker had been removed,
and a new Laser sticker had been glued. My "new" laser sail that I had just
purchased before Girlfriend wanted to start sailing had a "Haarstick
Sailmakers" Sticker.
To make this TOO LONG story short, Lainie, YES, the Radial DID at one time,
have a Halyard. I can't remember the CLASS ever being given the opportunity
to vote, BUT the change was made. bob
----- Original Message -----
From: <Lainie9126@AOL.COM>
To: <yeary@vet.ksu.edu>
Cc: <laser@laser.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 1999 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: Radial halyard
> I've written to the ILCA Int'l office in England asking for verification
of
> the existence of your Radial sail c/w halyard - just out of curiosity AND
to
> educate myself as you so pointedly suggested. I'll be sure to let
everyone
> know what Jeff tells me but he won't be in the office for another few
hours
> yet.
>
> In the meantime, if you're concerned about keeping your Laser legal,
you'll
> join the Class Association so you'll have a new Laser Handbook every year.
>
> You can tape the halyard to your mast, but you can't legally rivet
anything
> onto your mast. I'll be glad to fax you the pertinent pages of my current
> ILCA Handbook.
>
> Lainie Pardey
> Vice President, North American Region, ILCA
