DIY Dinghy with Laser 4.7 sails

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by jagercek, Mar 6, 2021.

  1. jagercek
    Joined: Mar 2021
    Posts: 6
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Slovenia

    jagercek Junior Member

    Hi, has anyone built a dinghy or has plans for building a dinghy that could use laser 4.7 sails? It could be a smaller trimaran too.
     
  2. bajansailor
    Joined: Oct 2007
    Posts: 3,614
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    Location: Barbados

    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    Welcome to the Forum Jager.

    I had to look up some details on the Laser 4.7 - her sail area is 6.97 sq m (75 sq ft) which is smaller than a Laser Radial, but still on the standard Laser hull.
    https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/laser-47
    Laser 4.7.jpg

    What type of dinghy are you thinking about, re adapting a Laser 4.7 rig to it?
    Would it be a performance type of dinghy, or maybe a tender for a yacht that you want to put this sailing rig on, because you have it?

    Re a small trimaran, have you seen the range designed by Richard Woods?
    Sailing Catamarans - First Choose a Design http://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/27-trimarans-under-25
     
  3. Reuby
    Joined: Sep 2019
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    Location: UK

    Reuby New Member

  4. jagercek
    Joined: Mar 2021
    Posts: 6
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Slovenia

    jagercek Junior Member

    Does anyone know if it would be possible to modify a canoe to work with laser sails?
     
  5. mc_rash
    Joined: Aug 2020
    Posts: 139
    Likes: 44, Points: 28
    Location: Netherlands

    mc_rash Senior Member

    Would be possible for sure, but I think you should place enough ballast far enough onder the canoe or use outriggers (not to small) for stabilisation. Otherwise you'll get wet very fast. Maybe you should try a rig from an optimist?

    Edit: that's my opinion, I've never tried yet but I've sometimes thought about putting sails on my ~4,5 m canoe.
    I would appreciate if you try it and let me know if it works and how it's behavier will be!
     

  6. tlouth7
    Joined: Jun 2013
    Posts: 282
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    Location: Cambridge, UK

    tlouth7 Senior Member

    Laser rigs, even the 4.7, are pretty heavy. A Topper rig would be slightly bigger and a fair bit lighter.

    Either of these rigs would drop into any appropriately sized mast step.
     
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