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October 14, 2022 3 min read
The Laser 8:1 downhaul is a popular upgrade to allow you as the sailor to have more control over your sail, especially if you are sailing the newer standard rig which needs de powering on those windy days.
In this article we walk you through what you'll need and how to make a Laser 8:1 downhaul system step by step.
You can also buy the full Laser 8:1 Downhaul Kit on our website.
Some ropes will need to be cut to your correct length once the system is made. This system is tied together with knots, however we would always recommend when working with dyneema lines to splice them as this is stronger than knots.
Take your 2m of Rig 12 4mm this is the silver/grey line and thread it around the top of the 29mm Harken block then tie a bowline.
Take your 3mm Rig 12 Dyneema and thread it through the top of one of the 18mm blocks, make sure to thread the line like the photos below with the line crossing over in the middle to ensure the block stays in place with the additional friction.
Take your 4mm Evo Race rope, this will be the black and coloured rope and your 3mm Evo Race Rope, the black with white/yellow fleck. Getting these two ropes through the centre of the block is difficult but not impossible you can use a splicing needle or tape them together to get them through.
Thread the 3mm race rope through the top of the block and tie a bowline as close to block as possible. Then another larger bowline to go around your lower mast.
Tie your last bowline in the 4mm Race rope around the 18mm block then your system is ready to be attached to you boat and you can thread it together like the photo below.
Now thread your secondary line through. I find it easier to do this on the boat to make sure it is not twisted.
The 4mm dyneema rope and double block goes through the eye of the sail then down to your kicker and ties off. There are two places you can do this, 1 around the top of the vang/kicker unit where the pin and ring is or, 2 under either the vang eye on the mast like the photo below.
The 3mm Evo Race rope ties around the the bottom of your mast.
Follow the arrows starting a with a bowline from the small block attached to the 3mm Evo Race rope.
Once complete, if you feel that you have too much excess rope you can cut it to length. We recommend fitting your sail before doing this to be 100% sure of the lengths needed.
If you have any questions on the Laser 8 to 1 downhaul system please get in touch with our team who are always happy to help.
Really good selection of rope sizes, delivered speedily. Great idea to put the offcuts to good use. Caused a few laughs when people realised what I'd ordered ;-)
The sales team were quick responding to our questions, dispatched to us promptly, and the product is a perfect replacement for our old tiller which ended up at the bottom of a lake!
Love the fact they don’t leak.
You do need to squeeze to get liquid out. Which is so much better. Don’t lose liquid etc.
nice size and robust
Great for when it’s not too cold. But is windy and wet. Needing to stay dry on top.
Very easy to install. May need some additional sealing for complete water-tightness.
It was time for me to upgrade to a newer Ilca and it was recommended that I get a Devoti. The price was competitive and the service from Andrew and his team was fantastic. I received lots of communication and the boat was delivered to me within 2 weeks. It is really great that Sailing Chandlery take the time to set up the rigging so that you can get straight on the water. I am very pleased with my new boat and am loving sailing it. Thank you Sailing Chandlery!
Excellent fit for a topaz. Great service on collection.
Perfect
Love this bag. Great wet area within it as well.
Excellent to use as for a birthday gift to family members keen on sailing
Currently 2 weeks into an Eastern Mediterranean trip with these shoes. Grip is great and they drain really well. Comfort is brilliant… as long as you take the right size. I followed the measurement guidelines and they work well. Highly recommend shoe!
Quick despatch and a good quality product. Moves smoothly along the boom.
Ordered a dyneema RSAero halyard on the Thursday. It arrived by mid day on the Friday and was used on the Saturday. Excellent product and service. Thank you
Reeves really easily, jams well and excellent grip
I bought the burgee and clip for a Hartley 12 and found downwind sailing much easier single handed. The clip came with the screws so it was a 10 minute job including dropping the mast. Website worked well again and the items were delivered quickly so a good job all round.
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