Model sailing center RC Laser

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Jun 2003 by Houle, Tom

BOAT REPORT

RACE-BRED PERFORMANCE OFF THE SHELF

The full-size, one-man Laser has proven to be very popular, easy to sail and-most important-fast. The Laser is well suited to class racing; in fact, Laser-class racing is one of the most popular classes for skippers of all levels. Even the Olympic Games has a racing class for it.

Now you can join the fun with a Model Sailing Center 1/4-scale RC Laser. Following in the footsteps of its big brother, this cool boat is sanctioned by the American Model Yacht Association (AMYA) as a one-de ign class for racing. The model is so popular that it has its own. enthusiasts' group: the International RC Laser Association. By now, you must be asking what makes this sailboat so different. Let's take a look.

ON THE WATER

So, mates, is the AC laser sailboat as easy to sail as it is to set up.' I'd say so. The day I took the boat to the pond, the wind was in the 6 to 8mph range and shifting. I elected to use the "A" sail rig-the largest of the three available sails. This sail has 949 square inches of area and requires the taller of the two masts. It's recommended for winds of less than $mph and was perfect for the day's conditions.

Before I put the RC Laser in the water, I made some adjustments. There are only two adjustments the skipper can make: clew outhaul and mainsheet. Given that, you must take care to get things right or pay the price on race day. I followed the manufacturer's recommendations for setting up the trim.

Tuning up

The clew outhaul controls the foot curve and leech twist. In light air, the clew outhaul should he set for a substantial foot curve and there should be a light twist in the leech. In heauier air, clew outhaul tension is increased to reduce foot curve and leech twist.

I turned on the radio, sheeted in the sail hard and set the trim lever at its midpoint. Moving the trim lever down allows me to sheet in a tad or center the boom. This allows me to pinch (point higher) so I can reach the windward buoy before the other racers. Pinching allows you to sail closer to the wind, but it also severely reduces the boat's speed. tn a tight race, don't pinch for more than a few seconds.

I suggest that you set the aft end of the boom with a fully sheeted-in sail to point toward the inside corner of the stern. Make this adjustment by sliding the mainsheet stainless-steel boom clip and grommet tore or alt. When I had the clew outhaul and boom set, I put the boat in the water for a trial sail. Under way, the boat should sail to windward with a neutral helm. There shouldn't be any weather helm (the boat tends to head into the wind). If you experience a weather helm, increase the clew outhaul tension. If the beat tends to fall off the wind when sailing to windward (lee helm), reduce the clew outhaul tension. If the water is choppy, add a bit of leech twist lease clew outhaul tension) so that the boat maintains way and doesn't stall. It your boat tends to dive, reduce its sail area.

General sailing characteristics

With the trim settings cranked in, the RC Laser handles beautifully in the water. The slightest breeze quickly accelerates it, and I always had adequate rudder control. When the boat was hit by a puff while going to windward, I noticed a tendency for it to round up into the wind-an indication that the clew outhaul needed more tension. I brought the boat in and increased its tension. Bingo! from then on, it sailed as if it were an rails. Sailing close-hauled, I tried pinching to an imaginary windward mark. As I eased the trim lever down and the boom inched in over the centerline of the deck, the Laser pointed higher; it slowed notably.

The boat accelerates quickly. On reaches and beats, its generous beam keeps it on its feet. You'll need to watch your clew outhaul settings so the boat doesn't round up on you when it's hit by puffs of wind. Without another RC Laser to race against, it's hard to say how it would do under racing conditions, but as with all other one-design classes, the key to winning with an AC Laser will be how well you turie it to the weather and how well you get off that starting line. fair winds!

The Laser comes as a complete package that can be sail-ready and in the water in a matter of minutes. You have only to add 12, AA batteries to the included radio system. There are only five basic parts: a one-piece polyethylene hull, a two-piece composite mast, a sail, a bulb keel and the rudder. The radio system is installed, so there's nothing to construct, glue, or paint. The Laser's molded hull is too slick to accept paint, and that's good if you plan to race the model. RC Laser-- class racing rules forbid the sanding or painting of surfaces that will be submerged. Four rolls of colored, pressure-sensitive tape are included in the kit so you can create designs and fix them to the hull.

The hull and deck are blow-molded as a one-piece unit; this makes the hull durable, dent-resistant and completely waterproof. If you've ever sailed in windy conditions, you know how difficult it can be to keep water out of the hull and to keep the electronics dry. The deck has a moldedin access hatch that's sealed with a plastic snap-lock cover. With this kind of waterproofing and the stainless-steel deck fittings, there isn't a reason to be concerned about sailing the Laser in salt water.