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July 06, 2020 3 min read
The Laser Hiking Strap is a high wear area of your Laser and you should be checking it every so often. Our experience tells us that the highest wear is close to the ratchet block end where the strap is likely to start to tear after time.
We've put this article and step by step guide together to explain how to change your Laser hiking or toe strap on your Laser sailing dinghy.
At Sailing Chandlery we sell two types of Laser Hiking Strap, the standard Laser XD hiking strap, and the Zhik Grip II Laser Hiking strap.
Before you start, here is a list of what you are going to need:
Clear the deck and cockpit of your Laser so you have plenty of room to work.
Un tie the hiking strap at the back end of the boat so it is no longer connected to the boat.
Clear the spring that sits underneath the ratchet so it is not sitting over the top of the screws.
Unscrew the screws one by one.
Put the eye strap, spring and ratchet block in the bottom of the boat so parts don't go missing.
Remove the current hiking strap.
You may have some residue left from previous silicone, you can clear this away carefully with a stanley knife blade to clean up the area for new silicone sealant.
You may also notice slight cracks around the hole, these are there on most boats as the initial pilot holes are smaller than the screw being used.
Line up the new hiking strap against the screws and eye strap you took off. In some cases the pre heat sealed holes on the Laser hiking strap may not match the width of your eye strap, if this is the case you will need to put the screw through the hiking strap in a different location.
Attach the hiking strap to the bottom of the eye strap and and ratchet block checking everything sits as it should.
At this point you should also check you have the hiking strap up the right way too. And make sure the loop is towards the back of the cockpit, not at the end being screwed into the deck.
Add new silicone sealant to the holes on the deck making sure you get some in the holes and around them. You can never have too much in our opinion.
You can also add silicone sealant to your screws too.
Check the spring is sitting on top of the screws, you don't want it getting stuck underneath as you tighten up the screws into the hull.
Hold everything in place with the ends of the screws inside the holes.
Start to gently tighten the screws, we usually tighten one half way, then do the other, and then go back and forth to evening tighten them up. Make sure they are tight.
Tidy up any silicone sealant which may have leaked out under the pressure of the hiking strap screws being tightened.
Tie on your toe strap adjustment rope at the end of the hiking strap.
You're finished!
If you have any questions about fitting a new hiking strap, or anything else Laser then please do get in touch.
The sail numbers were simple to attach
Great value for money and swiftly delivered as always by Sailing Chandlery.
Very good sunglasses, I’ve just had eye surgery and was struggling with peripheral light sensitivity, these are great for that and will be terrific next season sailing.
Great to see these available again, much better quality and sensitivity than the alternatives
We have just purchased the Mersea twin Laser box trailer. Ordering the trailer, and adding the lid afterwards, was easy and straightforward with accurate lead times for its delivery. We paid for delivery to the South Coast and the trailer arrived bang on time along with other items we ordered. Fantastic customer service all round!
The trailer had its first trip this weekend, a 3hr drive on a mixture of town, country and motorway roads and it was a dream to tow - no noise save the odd rattle across potholes, easy to see in the car mirrors and very easy to connect and pull. It's also easy to manoeuvre two by just two people.
Our junior sailor was delighted by capacious box section with two access points and he was able to stow all of his kit to travel and then all covers, bags and kit whilst on the water today.
We're very pleased with the trailer - thank you Sailing Chandlery!
Good quality splicing tool, sensible price and swiftly delivered. Thank you
The mast was delivered the next day what a excellent delivery service I had the mast by 0830 I now know I can count on you, well done.
The 100m reel of 4mm pre-stretched polyester rope I ordered for our Club's fleet of training dinghies is very good quality and really competitively priced. It arrived quickly so we could re-rig control-lines before the week's training course finished.
Quick to order and fast delivery, thank you. Good to have the wheel washers and retaining clips included in the package.
Cannot fault the service received. Queries responded to very quickly, thank you Jason. Very fast, efficient despatch and delivery. My son is very happy with the Aqua fleece.
Wouldn't hesitate to use again.
Great service from Sailing Chandlery - ordered late Thursday evening and my order was dispatched on the Friday, delivered on the Monday (standard delivery option).
The Salopettes seem well made, good fit (per sizing guide) and comfortable. Also very lightweight - time will tell if that equates to less durable as they are definitely far thinner material than others I've had from different manufacturers in the past. I've only tried them on at home so far, so not tested them in the wet but I'm pretty confident they should do the job.
fast delivery with no problems
Ordered Zhik boots and wetsuit easily enough on-line, quick email response reviewing order, and they were despatched same day. Wetsuit is awesome, I wrongly ordered the boots size, a quick phone call, they explained what I needed to do, and they’ve changed them super quick. Didn’t miss any days sailing……..Highly recommend.
Got a set for my son who's 6' 3" and 92KG and L was way too small. Spoke to someone on the phone who was very helpful on sizing. Actually, went for a XXL in the end and he is happy with that fit so I would say these come up a bit small compared to other manufacturers although I guess you want a tight a fit as possible with hikers.
Vert happy with the service and advice. Video was helpful too.
Good quality product that was delivered very quickly
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