I've been out of Lasers and lurking on this list way too long. It's been about 7 years since my last Laser race.....I use to be a pretty decent Laser Sailor. My first boat I purchased new in 1974, #9611, it was Red. Anyway, in July I purchased a used boat and plan to get going again. I've had a hard time finding time to get it out on the water and have only poor excuses to offer. Anyway, I am very excited to get Lasering again soon.
I just thought I'd express my views on these two subjects. I'm from the old school, and I really have only one view. Why change anything at all, ever?
I don't understand why anyone would want to change the Laser. It's a great boat just the way it is. It teaches you everything you need to know to win in any other class. The racing is the best, un-matched by any class at anytime in history. Functionally, it's the best because it's simple! Even before spectra lines and mega-purchase boom vangs, the Laser was a great boat.....no, a perfect boat. Changing things doesn't necessarily make for better racing... or even change the results, it's just change for change's sake.
Weighted centerboard, carpet lined trunks, all this new deck mounted garbage just approved, why? They're not going to change the fact that guys like Mark Mendleblatt are still going to win most of the races. In fact, Matt could sail my 1974 boat with it's Elvstrom sail and Intrepid mainsheet today and still win. Leave the boat alone and go practice! That's how the good guys get good. If you want to tweak the boat and play with things, get an I-14. If you look at how Carbon Masts have effected the Finn, change can hurt competitiveness and ultimately the reason we all choose to sail Lasers to begin with.
So I guess what I want to know, is how do changes improve the quality (i.e. fun) of racing Lasers?
That should be the only criteria for changing anything.
Chuck Queen
#134961
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