Tacking: Topper & Laser

Published 2021-04-03
This is how you execute the tiller extension "flip" Tack in a Topper. This also works for the Laser.

All Comments (13)
  • @gregbeneteau5099
    super helpful. there's nothing like watching the sequence on land with a good camera angle to help understand the tack. thank you!
  • @iaing2030
    Great way of explaining this. My little boy has been struggling and this video explains it much better than others and me clearly.
  • @hr8479
    When I learned to sail in the 80s, the mainsheet of a Topper was pulled from the stern of the boat, not off the boom. We just had our tiller extension and mainsheet on the same side when we tacked. And it was much simpler. Happy days!
  • @jill3152
    Such a simple explanation but a game changer!!! "pull the tiller extension towards the boom and it straightens the rudder" I really struggled with getting the tiller straight again after a tack, this is such a simple way to remember how to do that. Thank you
  • @TracyWHI
    Thanks Andrew- loved how you broke this down!
  • @liangjie6051
    wow, this is so helpful! I just got a 40 years old Lockley Sea Witch which the main sheet comes from the stern. but all your break downs are really helpful for me to prepare for tack. thanks.
  • @morzee94
    Very clear instruction and will work no problem in light winds. Just bear in mind though that you really want to be moving across the boat at the same time as the boom to balance the boat. That means you’ll have to straighten up with the tiller extension behind your back. A laser will capsize if you try to straighten up before moving across in moderate plus wind.
  • I just started sailing in a Laser, this helped me a lot since tacking in Optimist is a bit different, thanks!
  • @AmosS
    Great video. Just try to fix the audio in the first 10 seconds - I almost skipped it because I could hardly hear it.