Being an ex Moth sailor started me daydreaming about adding wings to the Laser.
I would see the wings being about 20 to 30cm wide (8" to 12") and extending from just in front of the cockpit to just behind the cockpit. See attached pdf. They would probably tilt up by about 10cm (4") to keep them out of the water.
They could be made out of either high strength plastic or Aluminium to keep costs down.
Would have to adjust hiking strap position or add another one.
I think they could be retrofitted to existing boats by attaching through the deck/hull join at the gunwale with maybe a strap of some sort across the deck. Design details could be sorted by someone smarter than me.
I can see many advantages with this idea:
- Make younger and/or lighter sailors more competitive in heavier winds which could mean they could move up into the full rig sooner.
-Masters and Grand Masters could stay with the full rig for longer.
-Heavier sailors could get out in stronger winds and break new records.
-Modernise looks and improved performance could entice younger sailors from moving into other classes.
-More leverage to right boat from a capsize.
Disadvantages:
-More cost.
-More weight.
-Would slow/stop boat when heeled to far. Although easier to keep flat for longer.
Anyway just some musings for the group to consider.
Thanks Ian
I would see the wings being about 20 to 30cm wide (8" to 12") and extending from just in front of the cockpit to just behind the cockpit. See attached pdf. They would probably tilt up by about 10cm (4") to keep them out of the water.
They could be made out of either high strength plastic or Aluminium to keep costs down.
Would have to adjust hiking strap position or add another one.
I think they could be retrofitted to existing boats by attaching through the deck/hull join at the gunwale with maybe a strap of some sort across the deck. Design details could be sorted by someone smarter than me.
I can see many advantages with this idea:
- Make younger and/or lighter sailors more competitive in heavier winds which could mean they could move up into the full rig sooner.
-Masters and Grand Masters could stay with the full rig for longer.
-Heavier sailors could get out in stronger winds and break new records.
-Modernise looks and improved performance could entice younger sailors from moving into other classes.
-More leverage to right boat from a capsize.
Disadvantages:
-More cost.
-More weight.
-Would slow/stop boat when heeled to far. Although easier to keep flat for longer.
Anyway just some musings for the group to consider.
Thanks Ian