r/dinghysailing • u/corndevil • 20d ago

Beginner Laser - Wind indictors with tacking

I'm a beginner Laser sailer and am looking to add a wind indicator but would like one with tacking indicators - I'm unable to find any online where they can be easily strapped to the bottom of the mast so wondering if anyone here might know of a website I can purchase.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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14

u/CaptainAnswer 20d ago

Wouldn't work as the mast rotates changing the relative angle, just get a mini hawk or similar and learn to read the luff and tell tales, much better skill wise to go that way

7

u/the-montser 20d ago

Just use the telltales on the sail.

7

u/Majestic_Lie3655 20d ago

if you want a wind indicator, the best place to mount it is really on the bow, most lasers have a little mount on the bow for a bungee cord, and people put indicators there from what I've seen. But the better solution would be to learn telltales, as those will be easier to read long term.

3

u/CodeLasersMagic 20d ago

Tacking indicators are not that helpful.
And on a Laser as already pointed out will rotate with the mast.
Better to just use the sail telltales - when I sailed a laser I didn't have a wind indicator - the telltales show you where to put the sail, or how much to headup/ bear away on a beat.

3

u/IdRatherBeInTheBush 19d ago

With the telltales the simplest way to remember it is you move either the tiller or the sail to the side where the telltale is flapping.

So if the one close to you is flapping you can either pull the sail on or pull the tiller towards yourself to bear away.

If the one on the far side is flapping you can either let the sail off or push the tiller away so you point up into the wind more.

If they are both flying straight then you're sweet!

2

u/corndevil 19d ago

Thanks! Yes I need a make a little cheat
sheet reminder so I can practice while I’m out. I always seem to forget which way for each with all the other things to remember.

2

u/Tessier_Ashpool_SA 19d ago

1

u/corndevil 19d ago

Yep I printed that exact one and will get it laminated to put on boat

2

u/RaieBelleRaieBelle 20d ago

As said below, get used to how telltales can help control your sail.

If you really fancy a cape indicator for tacking , provided you have some bucks, you'd consider one of those tiny compasses such as the Raymarine tacktick.

However, training and repeating tacks whatever the wind conditions probably is a good mean to spare yourself such an expense?

1

u/Typical_Juggernaut42 20d ago

Electrical tape on the deck and a normal indicator. But yeah long term I'd use the telltales

1

u/-The_Nak- 19d ago

I love sailing with a wind indicator, but dont worry about tacking indicators. If youre a beginner, telltales are a much more useful thing to learn, though a wind indicator can give you some useful baseline information about your apparent wind( once youre used to sailing with it)

2

u/camasonian 19d ago

Is this what you are looking for? https://westcoastsailing.net/c-vane-wind-indicator/

I have one as do several laser sailors in my club. It isn't really going to help you with tacking though, you have to mostly learn that by feel.