I can see its not complete but why not set up the link just to ensure people get meeting dates into their diary and also get used to visiting the site?
At last a place to discuss stratos issues...Any chance of some advice on how to sail my stratos in high winds. I live and sail around Poole, Dorset and we never seem to get two days the same, weather wise..
When sailing with a lightweight crew I reef the mainsail which I find makes a huge difference. Speed is slower but I still stick the assymetric up downwind and just sail lower in the gusts (with the plate half way up). The way the main is set up I can reef and re-reef in a very short space of time so I don't mind shaking the reef out downwind and putting it back in again for the beat. The thing to be very careful about is the rudder can fall off even if the retaining clip is in! I changed the rudder safety clip from horizontal to vertical and replaced the bottom gudgeon with another top gudgeon which has a longer pin (it fits ok). I noticed that Laser have also made the change on new models.
we've also sailed reefed and with no jib in strong winds. it makes the boat sluggish when tacking and the crew feel somewhat redundant but it means we can go out when otherwise we might cry off.
My crew is 8 stone, I'm 14.. and I've not yet reefed in anger... come close occasionally, but the desire to win is always too strong! With my crew on the wire, I just flog the main through the gusts and keep the jib in as tight as it'll go. Offwind, 3 sail reach... what a blast! Still not quite got the gybes sorted though!
Nice start to the web site whoever!
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Posted - 05 Mar 2002 : 20:29:19
