Laser Standard Mk2 “Class compliant” sail

Description

Laser Standard Mk2 “Class compliant” sail

Sail & Sport’s range of Laser equipment is intended to continue the legacy of Ian Bruce by providing moderately priced strict one design sailing. (See: The Laser – A brief overview.)

The Laser Standard Mk2 sail was introduced in 2016 replacing the original Mk1 sail which had been in use since the Lasers inception, although the cloth weight had been increased from 3.2 to 3.8 smoz in 1992. However, the sail area was kept at 7.06 m2 (76 ft2) for a recommended sailor weight of 75 – 95kg.

The Standard Mk2 sail differs from the Mk1 in that the cut of the sail is different being “bi-radial” whilst the Mk1 was “cross cut” & the cloth weight was again increased from 3.8 to 4.5 smoz. Both of these changes were intended to increase the life of the sail without increasing performance during the “cross over” period.

Those changes initially possibly doubled the useful lift of the sail although the heavier cloth together with the introduction of the composite top mast encouraged the development of Cunningham/downhaul systems. As the power & efficiency of the Cunningham/downhaul increased the life of the sail correspondingly decreased once again…

However, for club sailing the Standard Mk2 provides a more stable & durable sail due to the benefits of the heavier cloth & bi-radial construction together with the fact that the majority of club sailors are usually not quite so “brutal” with their kit as the “elite” sailors!

Since ILCA broke with LaserPerformance rebranding as the ILCA, introducing new moulds & builders there is currently no effective class association for the Laser. Therefore, these sails do not have a class association “button” which indicates a fee paid to an association & cannot be used for ILCA events.

Sail & Sport has provided Lasers & Laser equipment for many years remaining true to the moderately priced strict one design principle. Recently more clubs have approached Sail & Sport for a cooperative approach, particularly with sails, in order to return their club’s fleet racing to the Laser’s previous uniformity & more moderate cost. A growing number of Laser owners & clubs now seem to be of the opinion that if ILCA want to diverge that’s fine but they themselves wish for the Laser to continue as the Laser.

The Laser “Class compliant” sail is manufactured with the same cloth & to the came specification as the Laser “Class Legal” sail was, carries the Laser emblem & is supplied with a folded sail bag but without battens, sail numbers or letters.

NB The Laser Standard Mk2 “Class compliant” sail is intended for Laser class racing. It does not have an ILCA button & therefore cannot be used at ILCA class events.