Are Practice Sails OK for Racing?

My club Laser fleet had a discussion this winter about whether we will allow “practice” sails (those made without Laser approval) to be used in club racing. The whole issue broke my heart.

I used to spend my winters working on my big boats. Winning meant having my boat’s bottom smoother and my sails fresher then anybody else. I spent all my spare time routing lines for most efficient use and installing better data readouts. Then I bought a Melges-24 and the sail makers broke my back. I couldn’t keep up with their deep pockets. I came to the Laser in part because it was strict One-Design.

I don’t want two choices of sails. I don’t want to have to research which blade is used by more winning sailors. I like One-Design sailing. But I support allowing Lasers to use “practice” sails during Sunday races.

Our club is modest and many members are trying to feed their sailing habits off the crumbs left behind after buying food for the kids. Well, that may be a bit dramatic, but we certainly all have small sailing budgets for the year. How can I turn to a guy who has to choose between sailing another season with six year old sails or sailing with “practice” sails and say, “Regulations say you should be using those old sails another year.”

There is a real joy to using good sails. They charge up most people’s sailing and build retention in the fleet, who wants to drop out after you have bought new sails? At QYC, we decided that full and competitive participation was more important than the builder or Laser class getting their revenue out of sails.

So if you join us for a Sunday race feel free to bring your “practice” sails. But if you come for a regatta, we require Laser regulation sails for any award winner or anyone wanting their placement to be forwarded to District-7 for consideration for seasonal awards. We feel that this policy encourages getting out there with us and doesn’t harm the One-Design spirit of the Laser.

Now I’m waiting for the promised new regulation sails that are cheaper and last longer. I’ll still buy practice sails, but then I’ll use them just for practice.