How to set up a 6:1 ILCA/Laser downhaul.

[@robertkowalski9906]

if you need a 6:1 downhaul on a laser, might I suggest you work a bit more on upper body strength than rigging...

[@itsnott_rob]

its less about strength, more about convenience. i sail a ilca 7 and run a 8:1 and im not weak by any means its just easier to pull on more downhaul while fully hiking out.

[@robertkowalski9906]

@@itsnott_rob okay lets say your gonna match race, the guy you're racing against is equal to you, height, strength, weight, and most important reflex. the guy with the 2:1 will beat you. Let me explain he's faster and lighter than you, because he has 6* less rope and is pulling 4* less rope. Anyway why playing the cunningham? you should just be setting the draft position with that, if your playing the puffs the vang is more responsive better leverage for the mast bend and twisting the main. If your wondering I was the skipper on MIT's Physics department unofficial sailboat Andromeda...Just trying to help.

[@Andykerrsailtraining]

Thanks for your comment. Adjusting the cunningham while sailing upwind tends to be in response to changes in wind strength. When it is very useful to have the purchases. To sail a Laser to a high level in strong winds, for someone close to the ideal weight range, a lot of cunningham is essential. I have found very few people who could pull on sufficient using a 2:1 and never seen a 2:1 being used towards the front of any Laser fleet, may be that is where we will see it going in a few years......?