I agree with Thor.
I bought hull 397 two years ago and was in a similar situation. I was lucky to pickup a very experienced Laser 28 crew after their boat was sold and they got me focused on some good things. This was what I worked on from suggestions of an experienced crew.
1. Clean the boat out and put back in only the bare minimum.
2. All running rigging in proper place - what the fore-deck guy needs is at the fore-deck etc.
3. Running rigging in good shape and running free and clear (no meat hooks on the wire halyards - better yet no wire halyards - main sheaves replaced). Particular focus paid to main sheet and traveler. Replace sheets with low stretch line and get a set of light air and heavy air sheets.
4. Irritants like topping lift gone and replaced with a boom-kicker or other solid vang (big improvement in sail-shape in lite air)
5. Stripping and fairing bottom and plenty of tired arms from using the wet sander on the bottom for that wonderfully smooth bottom only an obsessive racer can love - my wife does not see the attraction
6. Consistent crew doing the same thing in each race (probably the most important)
7. Find a good sailmaker that will spend time with you on the water to learn how your current sails can be trimmed most effectivly (he will see this as a way to maybe sell you new ones or at least work on your current ones)
Looking back, this is kind of the order I attacked things on my boat.
I have updated all the electronics etc on the boat, but other than windspeed and current boat heading via the sailcomp and windex, for most races that is all we need.
From doing this over the last 2 years, we have become a very competive boat and look to be even better this year.
I am sure there are many more things you can do prior to buying sails but they are *real* important. And oh yea, I am replacing my winches this year and I am going to stay with self tailing since they are much better when my wife and I are cruising and we often sail with fewer people when the air is lite.
Hope this helps,
David
#397
