Thank you for the helpful all-around advice and introduction!
Best,
Doug
(Laurelhurst fleet)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-seattle-laser@sailpix.com
[mailto:owner-seattle-laser@sailpix.com]On Behalf Of MJohns77@aol.com
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 5:59 PM
To: davidd@zango.com; terrydickerson@earthlink.net;
cpainter@windermere.com
Cc: seattle-laser@sailpix.com
Subject: Questions about Laser Racing in Seattle
David, Terry, Chip,
This is a combined response to three of you since you all have similar
questions. I refer you to the SLF website (www.cycseattle.org/slf) which
has many answers. Note that I've included the Seattle Laser Fleet email list
as a CC. That means almost all active Laser sailors in Seattle will be
reading this. For all you laser sailors please fwd this email on to people
who ask these common questions.
- Moorage suggestions (Shilshole has no available options, but they say
SYC does)?
>>See my write up on moorage on the Seattle Laser Fleet (SLF) website
(http://www.cycseattle.org/slf/guide.htm). Port of Seattle is doing a major
renovation right now on the North End. All dinghies will have to be off the
floats in October. It remains to be seen what the situation will be after
the renovation is complete. I'm hoping for ramps that will be wide enough
for dollies. I think both the I-14 floats and the SYC floats have room for
Lasers. I'd recommend finding out when SYC and the I-14 fleet kick out the
deadbeats that don't pay. The day of this deadline is when you should
strike with your request for moorage. <<
- I am contacting you to find out how can I join this fleet and if I did
not choose to keep my boat at Shilshole are there sailors that car top, or
trailer their boats over for weekly races? Is this acceptable?
>> See the SLF website for instructions for joining the fleet. There are
about 5-10 sailors that car top or trailer there boats and launch from the
ramp at the North end of Shilshole. Those that car top usually have a beach
dolly (mfr. -> Seitech or Spootride) that makes launching easy. Most people
that trailer use a very light (yet street legal) trailer manufactured by
Kitty Hawk. In answer to your question, there are people to help you lift
your boat on/off your car. You may want to come down on some Thursday
evening and meet the "Parking Lot Crew" at the ramp next to the Little Coney
Cafe.<<
- Instructional clinics or someone who would like to provide instruction
for half a day.
>> I'd say you should contact one of the instructors at Sail Sand Point
(www.sailsandpoint.org). Explain what you are looking for. They have
Lasers and have excellent instructors (Brendan Fahey, Paul Stewart). There
may also be some members of the Seattle Laser Fleet who are willing to
provide you with private lessons. We have several UW students who actively
race Laser who may be looking for a way to earn a quick buck.<<
- When should I jump in and start racing.
>> If you have lots of experience racing sailboats, come out immediately.
Here is the suggestion I give to all new people to the area and or new to
racing. I suggest that you go aboard the Race Committee boat for one
Thursday evening. You don't have to be a member to do this, nor does it
cost anything. The Thursday night racing includes other classes (I-14,
Star, Etchells, 505, Tasar, ...). The purpose of spending an evening on the
RC boat is to get familiar with the signals, the courses, and the way the
starting sequence works. It can be overwhelming to a new person. One
evening on the RC boat will give you a good idea of how it all works so your
first race in a Laser can be all about racing the Laser and not trying to
figure out when to start and what the course is. The RC boat leaves the
dock at 1700 Thursday. Kevin Cunningham in the RC captain. If you are
interested in going all you have to do is show up at about 1645 at CYC.
Kevin has told me that he always enjoys having guests as long as they are
willing to raise a flag or offer a hand with the start sequence. After
racing, the Laser fleet usually has food and a beverage in the clubhouse.
Feel free to come and meet the group. <<
- Is there a cost to race in the weekly races knowing full well there is
a cost for individual regattas? What is the fall schedule?
>> The cost for a weeknight racing session is currently $10. You must
contact CYC to register before the evening. Call 206-789-1919 and let
Charles know your sail number and how you intend to pay. You can pay once
you arrive or you can give a credit card number. Weekend regatta fees vary.
You should look at the Notice of Race for the particular regatta. For CYC
or SYC events, you can look at the annual race book that is published early
in the year. The Race book has all the details. The Seattle Laser racing
in the fall and winter is a little less organized and has much less
structure. Mostly it consists of informal sessions that are started by
someone putting an email out on the Seattle Laser Email list. See the SLF
website for how to get these emails. <<
- Any thoughts on appropriate gear, wetsuit etc?
<< You can shop for these items locally at Crows Nest / Fisheries Supply
or online at sailingproshop.com, apsltd.com, kolius-sailing.com, or
coliesail.com. Beginning at the feet, you want to have something that will
protect your feet while hiking. I prefer to go barefooted in the summer and
have insulated boots for the winter. Most wear some kind of foot protection
year round. Moving up to the thighs. When hiking out your thighs bend over
the gunnel which cuts off blood circulation to the legs. To get circulation
back you must sit in and watch the fleet sail away (not fun). To prevent
this, a system of very stiff battens that support the thighs is required.
Some companies (Queensport, Camet, SEA) have integrated these battens into a
wetsuit. Others have created a separate device that is worn over a wetsuit
and held on with Velcro. The colloquial term is "hiking pants." Most people
wear a shorty wetsuit (short legs & tank top sleeves) in the summer and a
full wetsuit or drysuit in the winter. Moving up to the torso and arms, an
essential year round item is a good spray top. I wear a shorty year round
and layer appropriate weight polypro shirts under the spraytop to keep warm.
A hat in the winter is essential to prevent heat loss through your head. I
wear a KAM hat made with Windstopper fleece. Another option is a basic wool
ski cap. Finally gloves are a good idea as you will be holding the 1/4 inch
mainsheet all day. My suggestion is to use the cloth gloves that have been
dipped in rubber. They are usually less than $5 at your local fishing
store. Use the blue ones in the summer and the gray ones in the winter.
Consider cutting the figer tips off the thumb and at least the first two
fingers. For a new laser sailor I'd advise you are prepared to be in 45 /
55 degree (winter / summer) water while learning to sail in bigger breezes.
Hypothermia demands your respect.
- Used boats - where do I find one?
>> Five options: 1. Look on the SLF website classified section. You can
place a "boat wanted" ad there also. 2. Look in your local paper (Times,
PI, Journal, Sun) classified ads. Jump on these quick as they go fast. 3.
When driving around your neighborhood look for a Laser in a garage or
leaning against a house. Knock on the door and make an offer. 4. Contact
the Laser dealer in your local area (see SLF website for dealers). Many
times they know of used boats. 5. Consider purchasing a new boat or lightly
used event boat from the dealer. Resale value is great and quality of new
boats has never been better.
Hope to see you guys on the water soon.
Mike Johnson
SLF Secretary
In a message dated 8/15/05 9:29:51 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
davidd@zango.com writes:
Hi
I am writing because I am considering joining the Laser fleet. I am
selling my 34 San Juan sailboat and I have stopped racing Wednesday nights
out at Leschi with the T-Bird class. I was hoping to get back into racing
via the Laser class at Shileshole if possible.
Could you help me with any of the following?
- Moorage suggestions (shileshole has no available options, but they
say SYC does)
- Instructional clinics or someone who would like to provide
instruction for half a day.
- When should I jump in and start racing
- Any thoughts on appropriate gear, wetsuit etc
Thanks
David
Cell 206-920-7169
Received on Mon Aug 15 21:38:52 2005
