A Laser dinghy for fatties?

Does the Rooster 8.1 have a future as the Laser for the 'larger sailor'? Clearly Laser champion Steve Cockerill thinks so, because his company Rooster Sailing has just finished developing a new souped-up rig for the standard Laser dinghy. Taking the basic Laser, Cockerill has added a taller lower mast section which, combined with the existing top section, supports a Dacron/Mylar radial-cut sail measuring 8.1 square metres. This compares with the 7.06 square metres of a standard Laser rig, and Cockerill is pitching the Rooster 8.1 at sailors weighing around 90kg, as opposed to the 80kg or thereabouts for the standard rig.

Cockerill appears to have put a lot of thought into the design of the bigger sail, and it should last a good deal longer than the lo-tech and overpriced sail that comes with the standard Laser. According to Cockerill: "The Rooster 8.1 sail is constructed with long life and performance in mind. In addition to 4oz Dacron cloth in the main body, the leech is constructed of Mylar, as this is where the highest loads occur. This means that permanent leech stretch is reduced to almost zero. Leech flutter in between battens is eliminated. The bi-radial construction contributes to increased cloth stability and so making the sail easier to control its power. The large window also helps with visibility when racing. Mainsheet loads are slightly less than the Standard rig, and vang loads are slightly higher. The rig is more like a Jaguar than a Porsche, which means you get a steady power delivery upwind. Its downwind performance is amazing once you are past the beam and planing is easy in most conditions. Rudder loads are reduced too."

It will be interesting to see what reaction Cockerill gets from the market. It will be competing against a few well-established rivals in the British sailing scene, such as the Olympic Finn and the Phantom singlehander. But the Rooster 8.1 is a very economic solution for any Laser sailor that feels a bit porky for the Standard rig; £350 buys you a sail with battens and the special lower mast section, which is a few quid less than the cost of a standard Laser sail (RRP £389). You also get free membership of the fledgling Rooster 8.1 Class Association, and Cockerill says a racing circuit and even a National Championships is on the way. He plans to officially launch the class this coming weekend (3/4 March 2007) at the Dinghy Sailing Show in London, although he has already taken 15 advance orders for the new rigs.

Click here for further information from RoosterSailing.com