The RC Laser is simple to sail and a challenge to race. And part of that challenge is getting your radio controlled yacht tuned for racing. Here, Jon Elmaleh, the designer of the RC Laser and champion radio controlled yacht sailor gives his tuning tips for your radio controlled yacht.
With the 2015 RC Laser National Titles scheduled for August this year, there’s enough time to practice improving the performance of your radio controlled yacht. Jon’s tuning tips, as well as our Go Faster Guide will help to get you and your RC Laser in top shape for National and State Regattas.
The guide was put together by a group of seasoned radio control yacht sailors, notably Hugh Buckle, with advice from
Cliff Bromiley, Graham Brown, Noel McPherson and Paul Derwent.
The comments ideas and tricks are aimed mainly at the RC Laser but some, for instance Rigging the Boat, is written for a boat with main and jib. Nevertheless, the principles hold for single sailed yachts.
The guide is extremely comprehensive and includes diagrams and video links on everything from best rigging techniques, sailing rules, how to get out of irons and trouble shooting.
The 2014 RC Laser WA States were held at the South Perth lake in near perfect sailing conditions – bright sunny day and the morning races in about 5-8 knots and after lunch filling in to 12 -15 knots. It was great to have a really competitive fleet of seven RC Yachts with Graeme Howie (A Class champion), Andy Cummings from Rockingham (ex UK RC Laser sailor), and Linton Ward all the way from Cairns in Queensland.
The morning races were sailed on A-rigs and the current State Champion Dave Pruden was almost unbeatable with eight straight bullets and Graeme and Rod picking up most of the minor placings.
As happened at the last Nationals in Queensland, Dave’s ancient and ‘’well crinkled and slept on’’ A sail was in devastating form ! Dave Bedford was unfortunately out for the rest of the day when he consigned his keel to the murky depths after only two races ! Andy and Garry Mason sailed very well to get into the placings as well and the sailing was tight, fast and a lot of fun.
After the lunch break it was into B-rigs for a perfect moderate southwesterly breeze and we opted for a simple up and return course for the length of the lake where picking the shifts became the main test and challenge. Dave Pruden found the going a bit tougher on B-rigs and the placings were well mixed through the fleet with Graeme and Rod getting better places and Garry and Linton much more competitive.
A total of 16 RC Laser races were held by the conclusion of the day and while the event was won by Dave Pruden who successfully defended his title, the other results were relatively close – Rod Popham finished in second place with Graeme Howie in third place.
The event was sailed in the happy and friendly RC Laser way and everyone had a really great day. A big thank you to Linton for making the effort to join us all the way from Cairns. The WA sailors will be looking forward to the next Australian Nationals to be held at Dobroyd in Sydney next year.
2014 RC Laser Championships Trophy Winners, Steve and Dave
Congratulations Graham Brown (1st), Jurgen Luther (2nd) and Peter Newman (3rd) for hanging in though two days of tough competition to pick up the major placings.
Another outstanding RC Laser event – great sailing and happy banter throughout the two days. Well done to all the sailors for competitive sailing and sportsmanship at all times.
Thanks to Paul Martin (PRO) and Rhys Withers (Scorer) for smooth organisation that helped greatly to make it such an enjoyable two days. Very special thanks also to Jill, Janet and Silvia for catering and helping out with the scoring.
Full report to follow
Congratulations Graham Brown (1st), Jurgen Luther (2nd) and Peter Newman (3rd) for hanging in though two days of tough competition to pick up the major placings.Gusty winds for 2014 NSW State Title
Australian RC Laser Champion 2014. Congratulations Graham Brown, NSW.
The 24 skippers enjoyed an outstanding event, hotly contested throughout the 2 days of intense competition for the RC Laser 2014 Championship. Graham was lying in 3rd position at the end of Day 1 and 2nd position at lunch on Day 2. His win was assured by taking out top position in each of the final 4 races.
Second position was awarded to Jurgen Luther from Adelaide on a count-back from Paul Derwent who sails with Graham at Sydney’s Dobroyd club.
Local Gold Coast sailor Peter Burford was a popular choice for the RC Laser Sportsmanship Award and rounded out a great regatta with 6th position on the leaderboard
Congratulations to all the competitors – the regatta was sailed in the best of spirits as is the custom with RC Laser events.
