How to Race a Laser Sail Boat

A Laser is a sailing dinghy, 13 feet 10 1/2 inches in length, known for its speed and its quick and touchy handling. The Laser is a production sailboat and the rules of the International Laser Class Association limit the equipment used aboard to production or near-production equipment. This means that Laser races are about sailing ability, rather than special designs and add-on products. Races are conducted in compliance with the "Racing Rules," of the ISAF -- the International Sailing Federation.

Things You'll Need

  • Race competitor's documents
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with the course and the warning and start signals used in the race, from the information found in the competitor's documents. The usual starting signals are a single long blast to warn competitors that one minute remains before the start of the race. A single short blast indicates the start of the race.

    • 2

      Cross the starting line a split second after the single short blast signals the start of the race.

    • 3

      Comply with Rules 10 and 11 of the Racing Rules. Rule 10 requires that you give way to vessels that have the wind on their starboard, or right side, when your boat has the wind on its port -- or left -- side. Rule 11 applies when your boat and others have the wind on the same side. In that situation, the boat that catches the wind first must stay clear of the other boat. The boat that catches the wind first is called the boat to "windward." When a boat is screened from the wind by another boat, it is called the "leeward" boat.

    • 4

      Stay out of the way of a boat in front of you, if you and another boat have the wind on the same side, without being "neck and neck." In doing so, you comply with Racing Rule 12.

    • 5

      Stay clear of boats that are not changing direction, when you change direction. This is Racing Rule 13 -- you don't zip in front of someone and turn when you are driving, so don't do it when you are racing your Laser.

    • 6

      Always take any action necessary to avoid a collision when you see the other boat is not trying to avoid hitting your boat. This is both Rule 14 of the Racing Rules and Rule 2(b) of the Nautical Rules of the Road.

    • 7

      Keep clear of any boat over which you suddenly gain the right of way and give them room to maneuver, unless you gain the right of way because of the other boat's actions. If, for example, a boat suddenly heaves to and stops, giving you the right of way, you don't need to allow it extra space, under Rule 15 of the Racing Rules. You still have to avoid a collision with the boat, though.

    • 8

      Change course in a way that allows a boat you pass to keep clear of you. This is required by Rule 16 of the Racing Rules and means you don't suddenly cut in front of another boat in a way that crowds it into a potential collision.

    • 9

      Avoid changing course toward another boat when you pass that boat on its leeward side -- the side away from the wind. If you do so, you are in violation of Rule 17.