Who’s this for? – Anyone, novice or experienced, interested in learning more about his or her Laser sailboat, whether owned, borrowed, leased, or just generally interested in what we do as a fleet and want to hang out. If you would like to share your experiences to help fellow sailors with their Laser your help will be welcomed.
Where: Portage Yacht Club grounds or Clubhouse at 6:30 pm – 8pm
| When*: | Week one | May 6/7 | (Wed/Thurs) |
| Week two | May 13/14 | (Wed/Thurs) | |
| Week three | May 20/21 | (Wed/Thurs) | |
| Week four | Sept 16/17 | (Wed/Thurs) |
- These paired dates each week should generally cover the same material.
- These dates are paired knowing that not everyone can make these off Tuesday schedule evenings, so you have a choice to try fitting one in per week.
- Randomly drop-in as you can attend.
- At the conclusion of each evening we plan to head off to the Pub to wrap things up with further discussion.
Goals of series – Things hoping we can accomplish in no particular order (all weather sensitive)
- Rigging/tuning demonstration and maintenance thoughts with Q&A.
- Outdoor Q&A standing next to rigged Laser. Bring your questions/phone to photo.
- Indoor Chalk-talk Q&A. Bring any questions related to sailing or racing a Laser.
- Goal setting – What do you want to conquer? Do you have a list, or just one thing?
- Sail week 3 and 4 if the weather cooperates for you to work on your goals.
- Get the Lasers intending to be moored at the club staged for the season, or have a look at your rental Laser. The moorings for Lasers should be ready by mid-April. You are encouraged to do this prior to this series.
Laser specific topics driven mostly by your questions:
- Tuning the sail, achieving balance/good posture, boat handling and efficiencies.
- Heads-up sailing, reading the wind, changing gears. Tricks and tips.
- How a race works; starting, progressing around the course, and finishing.
- Basic rules of the road.
- Sharing of maintenance protocols, and other similar tips.
- I don’t see us sailing the first or second week as a group, but individually you’re may pass on the instruction and simply go sailing instead, that’s up to you.
What if you completely miss-out because of the day of week conflict? Don’t worry various things can be covered at a convenient time as practical.
Laser Specific – I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned over the years to try helping reduce some of the odd things that seem to crop up on a Laser that seem insurmountable. While also trying to reduce some of the anxiety some may have when new to sailing the boat or racing.
Rick Lyons. If you have any questions my email is rl@chartermi.net or text at 734-904-9583
* The Portage Yacht Club clubhouse is closed on Tuesday evenings throughout the year except during the 16-week Tuesday Race series. So to make this preseason instruction series possible it has been changed from our original plan last fall to these off Tuesday evenings to try and accommodate you if possible.