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April 06, 2020 2 min read

James Foster: My Top 5 Must-Have Products for any Laser Sailor

Sponsored sailor and RYA Youth National Champion James Foster tells us what he thinks are the top 5 must-have products if you're a Laser sailor.

Zhik 360 Sailing Boots with Laser Grip II Hiking Strap

Zhik 360 Sailing Boots with Zhik Grip II Laser Hiking Strap

This world-renowned combination allows maximum grip of the toe strap, reducing fatigue and allows for the optimal hiking technique.

The unique tooth grip system is on the underside of the strap and on top of the boot, the teeth lock in with each other to keep your feet secure while hiking.

Sailing Chandlery offer the boots and strap together as a package.

Zhik 360 Sailing Boots with Laser Grip II Hiking Strap

Zhik P2 PFD Buoyancy Aid

Zhik P2 PFD Buoyancy Aid

The low profile of this buoyancy aid allows you to get under the boom with ease and it feels like you aren’t even wearing a buoyancy aid. Its ergonomic profile allows you to move freely without restriction.

Zhik now have this available in two colours, the original black/lime and also a new grey/blue colour.

Black/Lime Zhik P2 PFD

Grey/Blue Zhik P2 PFD

Zhik Mens Microfleece X Skiff Suit

Zhik Microfleece X Wetsuit

The perfect summer sailing wetsuit:

  • Made of super light and thin 1mm super-stretch neoprene, which makes it extremely flexible and comfortable.
  • Will keep you cool.
  • Quick drying fleecy inner lining.
  • Includes the patented Loo Rip™ construction for men.

The Microfleece X skiff suit is also available in a ladies version.

Zhik Mens Microfleece X Skiff Suit

Harken Soft Attach Carbo 29mm Block

Greatly minimise friction in your control lines allowing precise and easy adjustment while racing. Personally, I have found that this Harken block works so much better than the standard 18mm blocks that come with your Laser.

This Harken block comes as standard with some dyneema core rope to attach the block to your boat, however, you can also use 12 strand dyneema to attach the block to your boat.

Harken 29mm Soft Attach Block

New Ropes and Lines

It is essential to update your control lines and ropes from a safety standpoint; but they are also essential as they make your boat feel fresh and new. I would recommend a complete rope update as the first step to making any Laser ready to race.

My Laser rope recommendations:

Use

Rope

Length

Mainsheet

6MM MARLOW EXCEL FUSION

13.5m

Outhaul Primary

3MM DYNEEMA SK78

1.2m

Outhaul Secondary

4MM MARLOW EXCEL CONTROL LINE

5.5m

Kicker Primary

3MM DYNEEMA SK78

1.6m

Kicker Secondary

4MM MARLOW EXCEL CONTROL LINE

5m

Downhaul Primary

4MM DYNEEMA SK78

0.6m

Downhaul Secondary

4MM MARLOW EXCEL CONTROL LINE

3m

Traveler

5MM DYNEEMA SK78

3.5m