Rigging a Laser Doesn’t Take Brawn

The Laser radial sail helps those of us under 155 lbs keep our Lasers flat during breezier days, but if you’re small enough to want a radial then you may not have the height or strength to put the mast in the boat when there’s a breeze. Consider this technique as a possible substitute for brawn.

Start out on soft ground or on a dolly. You’re going to tp the boat on its side, so you need to be aware of things that can scratch, gouge or do other kinds of damage to the hull. Recently I saw a Laser rolled onto its side and in the process a metal dingy rack took a chunk out of the transom. Give plenty of room for some wiggling and twisting. A Laser is easy to roll up onto its side on the strap of a Seitech dolly, on a plot of sand or grass, or on a packing or moving quilt.

When you first try tilting the hull I suggest you have a friend spot the boat until you get comfortable and learn the balance issues.

Begin by placing the bottom section of the mast in the deck hole. Be sure it is well seated and then use the mast section to lever the boat over onto its side. With care you may be able to rest the mast on the ground to balance the boat as you position the top section to insert straight into the bottom section. If the Laser doesn’t want to stay on its side, and you need to let go, try tying a heavy weight (a cement block, an old tire, a trailer, a small anchor, etc.) to it with to a line.

In no time you should be able to hold the mast and fit the upper section to it without ever letting go. Then the upper section, while resting its tip on the ground, will give enough weight to hold the hull over. Now all you have to do is pull on the sail and right the hull by walking the mast upright.

You can of course also do this when you forget to insert your wind indicator or a batten, when you want to straighten out the sail on the upper section or to protect your sail in a gusty pre-launch or post-landing situation.

Tilting the hull over with the mast works very nicely in the water and can be used to remove the sail before putting the Laser on a dolly when the wind is honking; the sail gets wet, but doesn’t threaten to take you for a ride across the launching area.

Just be careful that there are no people or other boats in position to get injured if the hull flips up or down faster than you are ready for. I’ve never had a problem when I’ve taken it slow.