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Laser Class??
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Seasick Steve View Drop Down
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Posts: 20 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Seasick Steve Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Laser Class??
    Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 5:17pm
Hi all
 
Following previous posts I have been in the market for a Solo, I did locate one to suit my requirements but unfortuantely I was outbid!! This has given me chance to reflect and consider a Laser for club racing on our small club water, I was told Laser due to the size of the class association.
 
I was very surprised to find that the UK laser association website & particulary the message boards appear rubish with very dated information, also there does not appear to be any Wales region to the association which is where i live.
 
I am 41 5'7 78Kg with little sailing experience would a laser be a sensible choice? 
 
Thanks again, looking forward to getting sorted and stoping 'going on & on & on' about what type!!
 
Seasick 
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RichTea View Drop Down
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Posts: 207 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RichTea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 5:54pm
You need to decide what YOU want to sail and not base it on price/availability. They are two different size of boats one quicker than the other.

I would try both if possible, the Solo will be more comfortable as it is higher out of the water and more seat like. See pondmonkeys PINK solo thread for pictures and info.
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AlexM View Drop Down
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Where are you in N Wales?
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 6:08pm
Sometimes the efficacy of a class association is in inverse proportion to the number of members, so I really wouldn't make any decisions on that basis. In any case the Laser International Association has not precisely covered itself with glory in recent years.
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PeterG View Drop Down
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Posts: 823 		Post Options Post Options   Quote PeterG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 6:20pm
I wouldn't worry to much about the class association, but I do think the size of the fleet where you want to sail is a big consideration.
Peter
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Seasick Steve View Drop Down
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Posts: 20 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Seasick Steve Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 7:02pm
Thanks for all replies
 
I am in North Wales near the Chester border, Shotwick ismy local water and I also have Bala and Brenig bearby with the anglesey & Llyn peninsula within an hour
 
Is it possible for a 41yr old Newbie to be competitive in a Laser with a lot of practice?
 
Steve
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AlexM View Drop Down
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Posts: 857 		Post Options Post Options   Quote AlexM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 7:34pm
I think in Shotwick a laser or solo would do and with plenty of practice of course you could competitive.
I would go down to the club and see what's happening. But I think they're closed till March

Alex
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iGRF View Drop Down
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 10:31pm
[QUOTE=Seasick Steve]
Is it possible for a 41yr old Newbie to be competitive in a Laser with a lot of practice?



At 5'7" no, they suit taller thin folk with long legs, artificial knee replacements and or high pain threshold.
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Seasick Steve View Drop Down
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Posts: 20 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Seasick Steve Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 13 at 11:01pm
Originally posted by iGRF

[QUOTE=Seasick Steve]
Is it possible for a 41yr old Newbie to be competitive in a Laser with a lot of practice?

At 5'7" no, they suit taller thin folk with long legs, artificial knee replacements and or high pain threshold.
 
That is one of my concerns for jumping for the laser, but I am told the upside is easy to buy, lots of advice and local racing, easy to sell and give you a good grounding / understandng of single handed dinghy sailing 
 
To be honest all my sailing to date has been in old wooden mirror, so any racing dinghy centre main is going to feel radically different so a quick go 'try before you buy' probably wont help.
 
I like the look of the Supernova but if that does not suit I would imagine it is harder to sell on than a Laser would be
 
Steve
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Mark Jardine View Drop Down
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Posts: 1028 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Mark Jardine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jan 13 at 7:25am
There are an extraordinary number of local Laser fleets around the country with boats that are only ever used for club racing. This is the kind of thing I do at my local club and, I have to admit, I see no reason at all why I'd join the Laser Class Association for this type of sailing. Our primary goal with our local racing is to have fun - yes, competitive fun - but we don't care if people are using replica sails or strange kicker arrangements made up of spare blocks they found in their sailing toolbox.

I'd consider the Radial rig at 5'7". Many of the Laser sailors at our club have picked up pretty reasonable boats for £500.


Edited by Mark Jardine - 26 Jan 13 at 7:28am
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