The laser 2 represents very good value for money. It's a boat you can learn in stages, sail it as a hiker in lightish winds and then progress onto the trapeze, once you have that sorted you can learn the spinnaker. On a 3 sail reach with a bit of wind they are great fun, water everywhere and like being on a go kart. 2 light adults and a child is very comfortable. They do not like being too overloaded though. as for single handing (see above).

Unfortunately the class association is all but dead so no open events to go to. This is the main reason for the low prices. 

Edited by transient - 31 Aug 13 at 4:15pm

I would think if you're a reasonable size and weight the laser 2 would be a great singlehander if all you wnat to do is cruise about, sail with your son and learn the basics.

The early laser 2s used to fail around the rudder fittings, but otherwise pretty sound.  Check ebay too, there's quite a few on there, but do go and look before you bid.

To upload a photo open the 'Post Reply' box (bottom left hand corner) not the 'quick reply'. When open, find and click on the 'Insert image' icon in the tool bar. That will open another panel (Image Properties).

Find and click the 'browse' button where you can navigate to the image you wish to upload. Click the image and the file pathway will appear in the (Browse) panel and to there a 'preview' of the image will appear in the preview pane ready to upload. You can add text to the photo if you wish by inserting into the Alt Text panel.

Use other icons to upload other media. Hope this has been of help.

Good luck! 

Edited by Solitaireblue - 18 Apr 13 at 8:21am

Great, thanks for the quick reply, we're in Edinburgh so extremely variable weather!!

Are there any particular points I should be looking at if I go look at this boat?

I'm noting from the advert that there's only a launching trolley, presuming that might be an issue in actually getting the boat home but sure I can borrow a road trailer from the club that's selling it.

I have had a laser 2  for the past two years and loved it. The only miss-giving I would have is that if you were in a stronger wind location it might be a bit of a handful for a beginner. The lake where I sail has an average wind speed of around 10 knots in which using the trapeze isn't an option for the weight of my crew and myself, it just works as a nicely powered up hiking boat. Also if you develop quickly, the problem with always needing a crew isn't a problem. After a bit of time and significant swimming. I have become reasonably adept with handling the boat single handed from the trapeze, including the spinnaker(after more swimming). I have single handed with three sails in 35 knots which is extremely exiting, its a lot about practicing sailing in heavy winds and coping with being overpowered rather than wrestling with the power, I have found it as even helped my standard laser racing for heavy weather due to the practice at being overpowered.