Used to sail a Laser as a kid. Unfortunately back then I wasn't too into upkeep and they were sailing school loaners, so we used to just put everything away and rinse them off. 10 years ago the sailing school closed so I bought one for a steal. Sat in my yard for 5 years and then I finally spent the last 5 buying replacement parts and fixing her up. Entered an open boat race in 6 knots of wind and crushed them, so all is good.
Took the boat out yesterday and it was blowing 10 knots with 15 knot gusts. Should be fine for a Laser, but my concern is with age and abuse over the years some parts may be a bit worn, like the mast and the mast step. I demasted a wooden boat last year in a pop-up storm, don't want to go through that again.
Here are my plans and concerns (TLDR):
Took the boat out yesterday and it was blowing 10 knots with 15 knot gusts. Should be fine for a Laser, but my concern is with age and abuse over the years some parts may be a bit worn, like the mast and the mast step. I demasted a wooden boat last year in a pop-up storm, don't want to go through that again.
Here are my plans and concerns (TLDR):
- I plan on cutting an inspection port between the keel trunk and the mast step to inspect both for cracks.
- My mast was bowing back in the heavier wind. I see that this is normal. Is there something I can do to the mast step to make sure it doesn't crack? Some preventative maintenance?
- Which way should the bolts where the mast joins together face? Parallel with the goose neck or perpendicular?
- I drained a bit of water out of the hull. Should I cut another port elsewhere to look for issues?
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