Don’t Monkey With The Plate

Plate, what plate? We call the piece of plastic that has the hatch opening in it the deck PLATE. Because it is secured by 4 screws, most people think you are supposed to take off the plate to get at, or remove, things inside. Wrong! The design of the deck plate is one of those ingenious designs of Jon Elmaleh, the ... More

Eating Teeth

Let me start this article by telling you that the sail winch in the RC Laser is the most reliable servo in the sailing industry. We have virtually no problems with this winch, none. I wish I could say the same for the steering servo. Not Warranty However, I will tell you right up front, that rarely is the failure of ... More

Pick Up Stick!

Almost all other model sailboats use standing rigging. That means they use shrouds and stays to hold up the mast. Sort of like early airplanes that used guy wires to hold the wings on. Freestanding Rig The RC Laser uses a "freestanding" rig, meaning that the mast is supported by its own strength, just like modern ... More

Squeeze Me Baby!

I have first hand account of RC Laser owners vigorously shaking their boats trying to get the water to come out that ridiculously little hole in the transom. I have even heard of those that have drilled out the hole and put a stopper in it - so they could drain the boat easily. The Secret Well, now - for all those that ... More

The High Launch Syndrome

I hate to point out bad habits - especially when they are fun, but this is one that will eventually cost you a lot of money. The Problem The RC Laser is so darned tough that some sailors have found out that they can throw their boat into the water. They either launch it from shore, arching out through the air to land ... More

High Tech Sail Repair

The sails on the RC Laser are some of the most unusual in the world. Unusual in material and construction - which makes them virtually indestructible. But there is one aspect of their manufacture that occasionally causes a problem. The Problem Along the leach (trailing edge) of the sail is a mylar reinforcing panel. ... More

The Big Twitch!

The first thing you should know about troubleshooting the Big Twitch is that I will help you if you don't find the problem. And, as all of us recognize, it is impossible to fix something if you don't know what is wrong. Problems often show up as symptoms in a part that is not the problem. So don't jump to conclusions. ... More

Soggy Bottom Blues

That is what I call water in your cockpit. "Ya mean it's supposed to be dry in there???" You bet your sweet bibby - the cockpit (where the electronics are) is supposed to be booooone dry! Why is everyone shocked when I tell them that? If you get water in the cockpit - you have a maintenance problem you need to attend to ... More