![velcro clew strap velcro clew strap](https://www.sailmagazine.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTQ4OTg4MDc5NDcxNzMxNzY3/sail12345descriptions.jpg)
In fact, having less purchase reduces the amount of line in the cockpit significantly, and enables you to ease the cunningham faster. Even in breezy conditions, however, it’s not necessary to use all five to get sufficient purchase. The new rules also allow up to five turning points in the cunningham. Tie a properly adjusted piece of bungee between the clew grommet and the unused boom outhaul cleat. The extra seconds spent trying to get the foot to slacken downwind can be turned into boatlengths very quickly. The allowance of shock cord to retract the outhaul when it’s eased and effectively loosening the foot of the mainsail is something everyone should take advantage of.
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For the outhaul secondary, which runs forward, down the mast and to the deck-mounted cam cleat, I prefer to use Maffioli Swiftcord, which runs smoothly through the blocks, is easy to cleat, and does not stretch under load. 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. It shouldn’t cost much, though, to have your sailmaker trim it off and add a foot tape.For nearly 30 years the Laser’s simplistic sail controls had seen minimal changes. Having the boltrope still running along the foot of the main may make the sail look a bit clunky. Beyond that, the issue is one of aesthetics. You even can remove the outhaul car entirely if you like, and attach the outhaul directly to the clew of the sail. The Velcro binds to itself, and you will be surprised at how strong Velcro is in sheer: plenty strong, in fact, to take the load off the outhaul car. You can ask your sailmaker to make you an outhaul strap, basically a length of webbing with Velcro sewn onto it that you loop around the boom and through the clew of the main. I suspect in your case the car might not be up to the task, but don’t worry. I say fairly substantial because the load on the foot of the sail when it’s in the groove is much less than when it goes directly onto the car alone. However, there needs to be a fairly substantial outhaul car to attach the outhaul to in order for this to work. You can definitely fly it loose-footed, and as you probably read in the other article, there are quite a few advantages to doing so, including more control over sail shape. There are a couple of things to think about. You have a boltrope on the foot of your main that threads into a groove on your boom.