Mudpuddler_March_2014_-_v1.0.pdf March 2014 | Page 6

2014 AUSTRALIAN LASER MASTERS
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lynette Staunton
Christmas 2013: Decision made… the ankle is
healed enough and I am going to my first regatta –
hooray! The Australian Laser Masters is scheduled
to be held in Paynesville in mid-February so that
means I’ve got 6 weeks to get ready. What do I
need to do? Accommodation: check, Legalise the
boat: check, Road trailer: hmmm…

The trailer travels very well to Paynesville, even if
the driver is a nervous wreck by the end of her first
(ever) drive towing a trailer. Turns out, I could do
with some lessons on how to secure spars to a boat –
it’s so much less nerve-wracking when you have the
spars attached properly!

What options are available when you live in a unit
and there’s no space to store a trailer? Get a trailer
that folds up!

An Internet search finds a company called “Easy
Trailer” which shows an image of a Laser on an 8x4
flatbed trailer. For under $1000, it seems like a
good option, especially as it will be useful for other
purposes. It can come with options for making it
into a box trailer, or bike supports, or kayaks…. Ok,
I’m getting distracted. You’ll have to check out the
web site if you want the rest of the list! http://
www.easytrailer.com.au/
The lovely man who answers the phone says there is
some assembly to be done and it is something like a
giant Meccano set… and giant is right! It is delivered to my house in three big boxes and a few weekends later, with some parental supervision, and education on how to use a ratchet properly, I have my
trailer ready to go – yay!
It takes two of us to fold it up then, wheel it around
on the castors, to store at the back of the garage.
At 650mm deep (or 65cm for those of us still using
dressmaking measurements, or about 26” if you prefer to speak in American), it’s a neat fit and I can
still get the car in and close the door.

Arriving a bit frazzled but the trailer in perfect order, a couple of terrific guys help unload the boat.
Two minutes later I’m ready to go. Over the next
few days I see three other trailers, each slightly
modified in our own way to make it easier to un/
load – which is not so necessary if you find the right
men to help you out. :)

The sailing is awesome! Love, love, love the masters regatta! There are two race areas set up – one
for the standard and 4.7 fleets and one for the radial
fleets… yes, an entire area just for radials! With 6
fleets (arranged by age division) of around 25 boats
each there is still a small crowd at the start line.
........... continued on page 7

Page 6