The primary line can be spliced with a thimble at the becket block to extend the life of the line. This length should put the becket block within your line of sight, and there should be reference points marked on the boom. The outhaul’s primary line is a piece of Spectra, cut to desired length. My system uses five turning points, including one block on the clew of the sail, which can be attached with a small shackle or piece of Spectra tied tightly to the grommet, two single blocks tied to the mast with a looped piece of Spectra (about 1.5 feet in length), and a single becket block. The best systems on the circuit today maximize the blocks and amount of purchases to reduce friction and the amount of line that needs to be trimmed in order to get to a desired setting. The class rules now allow six turning points in the outhaul system. The versatility of the Velcro band, however, outweighs the possibility of having hang-ups involved with a hook at the end of the boom, so I’ve stuck with it. Last December the class approved a metal sleeve-and-hook system, which may indeed become the standard. The legalization of a Velcro strap (like a watchband) eliminated the need for tying knots at the clew and lessened the friction. Reliability of the knot was also an issue, as was the type of line you used (stretchy line equals poor leech tension). The problem was the wraps created friction and inhibited the outhaul from being eased quickly and easily. In the past you’d do this by wrapping a line several times around the boom, passing it through the grommet, and tying it. The clew tie-down is all about keeping the clew as tight to the boom as possible, which keeps the leech tension tight. Another benefit of the new class rules is that they’re allowing a bit of in-the-box creativity among Laser sailors who can tailor the systems to their needs and physical build. The use of blocks also reduces friction associated with thimbles and knots, which were being built into the systems to create purchase. New cleats, a more powerful vang, and the allowance of multiple blocks to increase purchase in the cunningham and outhaul, now allow smaller, lighter sailors to effectively de-power the sail. But in 2001 the class approved a number of sweeping rigging upgrades aimed at improving the boat’s accessibility to a wider range of sailors. For nearly 30 years the Laser’s simplistic sail controls had seen minimal changes.
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