How much do you have to weigh to sail a laser radial?

Answer 1

The laser has a sail area to size ratio (yardstick) making it very fast for its size. With very little freeboard (area of the hull that is above the water) it is also very easy to capsize. I have seen children of 7 years weighing no more than 45 lbs and large adults of 180 lbs sailing this class of yacht. In all forms of sailing, body weight is a help in keeping the yacht upright rather like movable ballast, but in lighter winds that same weight can cause more drag through the water. There is no international maximum or minimum weight rule and none that any individual country requires. In some countries, the laser's length means it cannot hold more than two persons. In racing it it usually only crewed by one. Due to the balance of the boat and its very low boom, the crew needs to be fit and agile.