Thread: Laser Rig in GIS?

Howdy Matt,

First a preamble ... there have been no Laser rigged GIS built at all.

In lots of ways it doesn't really make sense because the boat is such a good sailor with the designed lug rig.

However ... as you already have the Laser on hand ... it starts to make a little sense. And planning to upgrade later means it makes a lot of sense if you are short of money.

But the lug rig will be so superior when you change over to it that it will feel like a different boat.

Best wishes
Michael

Hi MIK

Thanks for the reply, so it would be a fairly easy swap when the time came? and any ideas on cost for hull and blades?

ta

Matt

Howdy,

Email Ted at Duckflat for a quote on these materials as a starting point.

Prices vary quite a lot (as can quality). So worth having a look round to see what you can get locally at reasonable quality

Best wishes

I don't have the cartoons in front of me but I'm sure of a couple things and a little iffy on another.

First, the mast is set in the same position for either rig so the only thing that will need to change when you switch to the balanced lug will be the size of the hole through the partners. I'm pretty sure the hole will need to be enlarged for the lug--MIK will know for sure.

The hole in the mast step may or may not need to be changed but the center point is the same.

The biggest difference in construction comes if you plan to use the Laser daggerboard and then switch to MIK's. I can't recall which is thicker. If it's the Laser you should probably build MIK's board from the start.

Many months after I committed to build mine with the balanced lug rig I came across some information about the Force 5 which is similar to the Laser but with a lot more sail (90 plus sf vs. 70ish). I used to own a Force 5 so the idea of using it's sail instead of the lug or Laser sail has intrigued me recently. The shape is similar to the Laser sail but the mast is much taller. I'm thinking its center of effort might be very close so it might just be a third alternative for the Goat. We have the lug at 105 sf, the Force 5 sail at 91, and the Laser at about 70. The Force 5 mast is about 20 feet long which is not far from where the balanced lug peak is, I believe.

Hi All

Thanks for the replies, I didn't realise that the designed lug rig was 50% bigger than the laser rig, sounds like it might be a barge with the laser rig in it. Having come from high performance dinghys ( javelins and 14s ) I don't think I'll be going the soft option for long if at all if I decide to build this boat, after all the designed rig has reef points for the days were the missus might be there

Cheers

Matt

Most boats of this size and weight have sail area closer to the Laser's 70 sf. MIK's lug rig is a BIG exception. I suspect it would be a decent sailer with the Laser rig, it would just take more wind to get her on plane.

Howdy Matt,

(and MAM, that summary is masterly. I would recommend making the Centreboard in the plan as the case widths are significantly different)

Javelins and 14s!

The Goat with the lug rig will be the only satisfying option.

My background is mostly NS14 and Sharpie. The NS14 in particular had a lot of input in the Goat, setting the basic proportions of the boat - particularly the sail area and the sailing style and volume distribution ... though the Goat can carry many more people than an NS could possibly imagine while retaining good performance in terms of ground covering.

You might be interested in the Birdsmouth Mast option too to strip some weight out of the boat.

Best wishes
Michael