I have recently been working with professional rigger Gareth Griffiths (www.thenottinghillriggingco.com) on updating the Laser rope systems. Many of the current systems in common use are woefully inadequate, where use of the wrong products is likely to lead to premature wear and breakage and prove expensive. For example, in the case of Vectran (which is UV sensitive) and Kevlar (which dislikes going round corners), Dynema would be a better product.

I have actually known Gareth for many years going back to the National Schools Sailing Association (http://www.nssa.org.uk/) as part of the Kent Schools Sailing Association (http://www.kssa.co.uk/start/start.htm). I was team captain for my final year and went to the Nations Cup to represent England in the Laser with Paul Goodison. Wow that seems a long time ago!

Anyway Gareth brings a wealth of experience with him and is quick to point out that dinghies are not using systems, such as spectra chafe covers (which would be ideal for a Laser traveller) which are common place in racing yachts.

It really doesn’t matter if you are a club sailor or Olympic hopeful. Having an awareness of the best systems means better working systems, lower maintenance (and any breakage can be damaging to a regatta result) and actually overall lower cost. This is obviously going to be an on-going project but I’ve included a couple of pictures of the latest developments.

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