Laser 2000 or RS Vision

Nessa,

Thank you very much for the offer.  Unfortunately, I am in Chichester Harbour and would have been away this weekend anyway.  We will try for a number of try sails and pop down to our local club to canvas opinions and discuss the merits of each.

Edited by chiefy

I have also sailed the Bahia. I do find that boat a lot heavier and the room inside is marginal. the sails although look large don't power the boat as well, it isn't as "fun" as the 2k. The main sail doesnt seem to set well with rig tension, unless its me, it sets with a nice crease in the sail.

Of all 3 boats (2k, Bahia, Vision) the Laser 2000 will hold its value better and be easier to sell on after as it has a class association and a market that people look for. The downside to that boat is it can't take an outboard motor should the need arrise. Another (but again more heavier boat) is the Laser Stratos, that does have a lot of room but can't be sailed easily by one person.

We have a Vision as a training boat here at Hunts, but I have to say I'd far rather have an L2k or a Bahi.  The Vision is slippery, tippy and not as roomy as the L2k.

2000 of Vision? Both boats appear in comparisions a few times but it all goes down to prefrence.

Personally I'd want to try one with you and wife and leave the kids behind to start off with, Sail Laser allow that option for people looking to buy a boat, similar to test driving a car. I think you can arrange the same with RS. If you have a club nearby, go down ourself and take a look, more than likely someone may be able to take you out (Depending on your location someone here might be able to assist)

Having sailed both boats, I do prefer the L2k mainly because it is more stable and a better sail even though it is a little heavier, once on the trailer and with a jockey wheel fitted you may find them just as easy. The 2k is a more family boat and has the option of getting the kids to sit in on a  little seat.

The Vision is plastic and can be beached although will scare if dragged up a beach, similar to the L2k. although it is plastic, you can bounce off things but it will show over time.

See if you can get a sail on both and then find out which you prefer yourself.

I am looking for a bit of assistance in choosing a new dinghy.  Both my wife and I have sailed dinghies in the past, she in GP14 and RS400 and me in a selection of boats – although I have mainly been offshore for the last 15 years.  With two children (1 and 3 yrs) we have decided to get back into dinghy sailing for our and their benefit.  Her initial research suggested an RS Vision as the likely candidate and so we went up to the Dinghy Show this weekend to have a look around.  I am looking for a boat that will grow with us and can do the following:

 

w     Take two adults and two small children safely for introducing them to sailing – needs to be fairly stable

w     Be readily sailed by me and my son as he grows up and we want to have a bit of a blast – for the next 6 years, by which stage I can see us moving up to something like a Feva and a Vareo.

w     Sailed single handed by me when I want to let off steam

w     Handled on shore / recovered by single person – either on my own or with my wife holding kids back and watching!

w     Ability for kids to sit in the boat rather than on the sides (and risk falling in)

 

I am now confused due to the bewildering array of similar boats.  I think from my look around that the Vago and Magno are probably too small to be comfortable and that the Bahia and Omega are too big.  The Xenon is probably too high performance and that then left the Laser 2000 and the RS Vision XL.  Both looked fairly similar, but noted the following:

 

w     Vision does not have control lines running back to helm which is a concern for single handing and also for when go out with youngster as crew

w     Vision made of plastic will be more robust

w     Vision was lighter 125 v 140 kg – how easy are these to move launch / recover single handed?

w     Better racing for Laser 2000

 

I am looking to buy in the next 3 months and am considering new or up to two year old as for current usage it does not need to be brand new.  I would be very interested in anybody’s comments on this down selection and my logic. 

 

Many thanks in anticipation.