Laser 16

   There are a couple of Laser 16's at my club, mainly used for training. Nice boats, stable, high boom, very uncluttered, very roomy. The club 16's have got roller reefing jibs and plenty of reefing points in the main, and if reefed properly can be sailed in most winds even with trainees. The main downsides (other than the class being dead - but if you can get one at the right price and don't want to fleet race that need not be an issue) is onshore handling. These are seriously heavy boats, in fact the ones at my club get left on moorings and only recovered at the end of the season.  And as others have said they do feel slow.  Much as I like the Laser 16, and if I wanted a boat to sail with 3 or 4 adult trainees in I can't think of anything much more suited, personally I think I'd look to something lighter just to sail with a young child.  So I'm not really convinced the 16 is the right boat for the OP.

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Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser 16 Posted: 13 May 11 at 11:14am
	There are a couple of Laser 16's at my club, mainly used for training. Nice boats, stable, high boom, very uncluttered, very roomy. The club 16's have got roller reefing jibs and plenty of reefing points in the main, and if reefed properly can be sailed in most winds even with trainees. The main downsides (other than the class being dead - but if you can get one at the right price and don't want to fleet race that need not be an issue) is onshore handling. These are seriously heavy boats, in fact the ones at my club get left on moorings and only recovered at the end of the season. And as others have said they do feel slow. Much as I like the Laser 16, and if I wanted a boat to sail with 3 or 4 adult trainees in I can't think of anything much more suited, personally I think I'd look to something lighter just to sail with a young child. So I'm not really convinced the 16 is the right boat for the OP.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 May 11 at 10:48am
	I'd not noticed the budget - Laser 2000 every time on that money.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 May 11 at 8:58am
	If you want something easier to handle on the slipway than a Wayfarer what about its little sister the Wanderer. The classes like Wanderer, Wayfarer, Enterprise, GP14 have an established secondhand market. Not so much so for the Laser 16. Just something to think about when you do want to move onto your next boat.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

kfz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 02 Nov 10 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 96	Post Options Post Reply Quote kfz Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 7:34pm
	JR, There are a lot of posts on this same subject seems to come up quite often a family/kids teaching/bit of racing/cruising and I cant help thinking that the traditional dinghys like the Enterprise, GP14 and Wayfarer are most suitable. Theres not a massive difference between them and it may well boil down to whats a good deal, but enough difference to spend some time picking the one thats best for you depending on what balance of cruising vs racing and what water your on. After the kids take to it or not and you've got yourself up to speed, you will be in much better position to pick a more expensive boat (like a laser 2000/bahia/Stratos or one of the big toppers) if you so want too and sell the old one for what you paid for her. In meantime theres loads about their value for money and tons of support and if the kids stratchi t or break it who cares? Spend the difference on decent gear! Kev Kev
	GP14 Fleet Captain Liverpool Sailing Club Liverpool SC

Flick-Flock Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 27 Mar 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 102	Post Options Post Reply Quote Flick-Flock Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 7:18pm
	We've got a 16 at the centre I work at, they are nice boats, well mannered and the cockpits open and uncluttered. However, I actually find the Wayfarers more stable. As has already been mentioned, the 16 is very round, so it will heel over quite quickly. The centreboard is weighted, and it probably helps with stability once heeled, but for a relaxed gentle sail something like a wayfarer would be better. One other thing is they will fully invert fairly quickly, most of them have foam buoyancy sown into the top of the sail to help with this, but ours has a replica set of sails without it, and we've started using a mast head float for piece of mind after the last time it was capsized.
	Swimming after Laser 5000 5069

Foiling_Toff Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 30 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Foiling_Toff Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 5:47pm
	It's probably worth noting that 3-5k isn't what most people would call a tight budget, and you can probably get a reasonable example of most classes for that. You don't need to limit yourself to old boats if you'd rather have something more modern.

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 4:29pm
	you'd be better off with an actual modern Wayfarer- should be able to a double bottomed GRP one for that budget
	-_ Al

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 2:56pm
	The laser 13 we have as a club boat is stable, but the round bottom makes it seem quite wobbly, if that makes sense. She heels over pretty easily, so it will depend upon how your son feels about such things. The Laser 16 will be a similar feel. Coming down from yachts, these boats will look small, but actually, for a 4 year old, I found a Mirror dinghy perfect, as you can rig it mast forward with just the main up, and the child can crawl up onto the forward area and enjoy a splashy ride whilst still being below gunwale level. Best bet with the 16 is to find one to borrow with your son, and see whether he loves it or not.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Foiling_Toff Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 30 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Foiling_Toff Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 1:52pm
	I've not sailed one, but hopefully someone here will share some first hand experience. What I would say from watching a couple at the club, is they do look stable, but very slow. I would suggest the Wayfarer is probably the better option. A newish one may even feel more modern than the laser 16. The hHartley boats certainly look nice. If you are after modern, then the Laser Stratos might worth a look. They look stable and robust, and the asymmetric gives it a 'modern' touch.

The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 11 at 1:43pm
	If your son is only 4 might not a Laser 13 which was a scaled down 16 be a better option? Will certainly be a lot more maneagable ashore.....