Buzz
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up the original laser sailboat.
Instructions
Gather all your equipment. Make sure you have the hull, daggerboard, rudder and tiller, mainsheet, both mast sections, boom, boom vang, and sail ready in one place.
Assemble the mast pieces. The top half simply slides into the bottom half without any locks, fitting snugly.
Slip the sail onto the mast. There's a pocket along one side of the sail for this purpose.
Insert the battens into the sail. They should slide in easily, then push the end down to secure them in place.
Erect the mast. This is the trickiest part, so handle it with care to avoid damaging the mast or hull. Stand the mast upright next to the bow of the laser, lift it straight up, and place it into the mast step (the hole at the front of your laser). To make this easier, hold the mast around the middle and walk forward, pushing the sail up as you go. Adjust your grip as needed for better control.
Attach the front end of the boom to the gooseneck. Be sure to hold it in place as it may fall off without support.
While still holding the boom on the gooseneck, walk to the flapping end of the sail. Thread the outhaul (the line at the very end of the sail) through the eye at the end of the boom. Then run the line down the boom and secure it. Properly cleating the outhaul should keep the boom in place.
Secure the clew-tie-down. Wrap it around the boom and tie it, ensuring the clew is snug against the boom while still allowing movement.
Attach the boom vang (a device to hold the boom down while sailing). Connect it to the mast bottom and then slide it into the clip on the bottom of the boom. Pull down on the line, then upwards to cleat it.
Prepare the mainsheet. Tie one end to the eye on the boom's end, then thread it through the traveler at the stern, up through the pulley on the boom's end, forward through the metal loop, through another pulley, and down to the main block at the cockpit's front. Ensure the block functions properly by testing it with the mainsheet. Tie a knot at the end to prevent slippage.
Check the hull plug is secured. Attach the rudder, tiller, and daggerboard. Ensure the rudder is held down by the clip and test its mobility. Tie the daggerboard with elastic to the bow's eye, ensuring it remains in place when inverted. Confirm the elastic provides enough friction.
Launch. Before sailing, secure the rudder by pulling on the string near the tiller, bringing it down, then tying the string to the tiller's cleat.
Helpful Tips
- Before taking the boat out, fully rig it on land and test all components to ensure nothing breaks unexpectedly while on the water.
- When stowing the mainsheet, flake it twice - once on the hull and then inside the cockpit, ensuring the bitter end is at the bottom. Additionally, consider using a weather vane clipped onto the mast opposite the boom, along with tell-tales. Don't forget safety gear like a whistle in your life vest and a helmet.
- When rigging the boat, ensure it faces into the wind.
Essentials
- The boat (hull)
- The daggerboard secured with elastic
- The rudder and tiller
- Your mainsheet
- Both mast pieces
- Boom
- Boom vang
- Sail
- Battens
- Hull plug
