Why are tiller extensions so long? An explanation and tips to make tiller extension management easier.

Mainsheets get tangled especially in ILCA/ Lasers. Tips on how to reduce the chance of finding a tangle in your mainsheet when you really really want to let your sail out.

1. turn your boat to reduce power in the sail 2. use both hands to move through the sheet quickly Prepare to let the sail out quickly

How to gybe well in light wind. How to perform and adapt the roll gybe. As always if you want to know if you got it right or wrong, the mainsheet in a Laser/ ILCA will give you instant feedback. Genius design....!

Why does the mainsheet get caught?? Well yes there is the design of the boat, there is also how you gybe. Improve your gybes and you will find a lot less catching happens and your gybes will be better as well. 3 tips to avoid catching and 3 ways to get it un-caught.

Using the downhaul and kicker/ Vang to make sailing upwind a breeze

Gelcoat is plastic and degrades with exposure to sun and chemicals in the water. A clean well maintained hull will be faster and last longer. Clean your hull at least twice a year and regularly rinse it. Give it a good coat or two of UV wax once of twice a year. Probably the quickest and cheapest performance upgrade for your boat.

some tips of what to look for when buying a second hand Laser/ ILCA dinghy

A dive into when boats meet on the same tack. Rule 11 and 12 from the racing rules.

An introduction to the racing rules for sailing followed by a deepening dive into the first rule in part 2, when boats meet. Port and starboard tack, how well do you know it? Going a bit deeper to help sailors get a better understanding of whet you can and cant do.

Some ideas of how to make Laser/ILCA rigging as easy as possible for club boats or those with little patience for rigging. Not class legal for National events but will be fine for club sailing. Ball pins. Harken version available from Rooster in the UK. Harken kicker/vang blocks require a 6mm diameter pin. Holt kicker/vang block require a 5mm diameter pin. If you have an older mast the kicker tang may have a 5mm hole. This is easily drilled out to fit a 6mm pin for harken kickers. Metal clew sleeve available from Trident in the UK, I couldn't find anywhere else but expect there are other sellers. Set up as per the video means no ropes need to be tied in the rigging of the boats.

Tips on making it easier to put your mast in your boat. Especially useful if it is windy. Don't fight the wind, you are a sailor, let it help you instead.

Sometimes it fine to use a lot of rudder providing you follow 2 main rules. 1. Use all of the boats equipment togrther to steer 2. Change the angle of the rudder gradually Not using the rudder to steer does not mean keeping it centralised.

Complete compilation of by the lee sailing videos. Begins with what it is before looking at why you may want to sail by the lee. The next step is how to do it and how to make it work in a race.

An explanation of why sailing downwind can be unstable and how to counter this.

A description of what sailing by the lee means In lasers ILCA Topper Optimist downwind sailing

Technique for Lasers ILCA Topper and other single handed boats with an unstayed mast. Downwind sailing. https://youtu.be/KVsx5i6bG98?si=q7zeiPUupD9PoWM8 Steve Cockerill talking at the boat show. SportVid how to set your vang in a Laser https://youtu.be/raqZmQlJfv8?si=zQJKqOM0sn-z9p4X

International Sailing Academy YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@internationalsailingacademy?si=JydHpByA0A3lv1J8 Great information on downwind sailing in waves.

Downwind sailing in a Topper Laser ILCA Optimist

A quick look at how I set up the outboard end of my Laser/ ILCA outhaul. Simple and effective avoiding any hooks.