Nice new Laser for Christmas

   I assume you read the apology from sailboats, Bruce?

Depending on whether you believe it or not, there were never any red hulled boats with optimised rake etc.

As others have said, looks like a genuine marketing mistake, but like others I am aware of people purposely seeking out AUS boats claiming better foils and lighter hulls. I suspect it's all largely in people's heads but some people will go to extreme lengths to do better and perhaps like a placebo it helps them mentally to achieve.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Nice new Laser for Christmas Posted: 01 Dec 14 at 11:13pm
	I assume you read the apology from sailboats, Bruce? Depending on whether you believe it or not, there were never any red hulled boats with optimised rake etc. As others have said, looks like a genuine marketing mistake, but like others I am aware of people purposely seeking out AUS boats claiming better foils and lighter hulls. I suspect it's all largely in people's heads but some people will go to extreme lengths to do better and perhaps like a placebo it helps them mentally to achieve.

Bruce Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bruce Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Dec 14 at 11:25pm
	Yes craiggo I did (I quoted them in my earlier response). Thanks kneewrecker. Worst case scenario is that these boats are outside the manufacturer's tolerances, so I suppose the results need to be forwarded to the ILCA measurer to make sure they are OK... maybe these boats will be classed as 'duds' and sent back to the factory. One of the things I like about top competitions in Lasers is that you don't spend ages measuring like in other classes, so this needs to be knocked for six ASAP.

sargesail Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote sargesail Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 7:49am
	It's the red boat bit that makes me give credence to the cockup rather than conspiracy theory. As severalpointed out who would want a red laser!

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 8:07am
	The reason the Australian boats are sought after in the uk was because they come across the equator in a container, being baked on the way, containers get really hot. This is supposed to make them stiffer, not necessarily lighter.

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 10:06am
	Nonetheless, anyone in the market for a new, lightweight, optimally-raked Laser might want to get down to Sailboats pronto with some scales, a tape measure and some 'grey' paint.
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

kneewrecker Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 09 Apr 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1586	Post Options Post Reply Quote kneewrecker Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 10:16am
	'red ones are faster' - maybe got taken a little too literally ;-) I suspect it probably is a cock-up, although it seems very handy/convenient for the boat that isn't sailed here in the UK to carry the can for the mistake. (No one buys 420s for team racing here do they?) But I also think that considering the class we are talking about, that it would be prudent to follow Bruce's recommendation to ensure that the confusion is handled efficiently and with independent oversight.

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 10:22am
	If they did buy 420s here for team racing then they would probably want 3 of each colour. Having one colour being faster than the other wouldn't be desirable then either!

GarethT Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 714	Post Options Post Reply Quote GarethT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 10:22am
	That's what I was just thinking. Who is going to be getting a boat aimed at schools/colleges for Christmas? It would be just like when I was a kid and asked for a pair of Nike trainers and my mum got me Dunlop Green-Flash! I suppose LP also thought it was a good idea to market the Sunfish over here, so maybe they are just f*ckwits. Edited by GarethT - 02 Dec 14 at 10:23am

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 14 at 10:29am
	Has anyone done the obvious? Responded to the mailing and tried to buy one, asking pertinent questions like how much faster? How do I work the mast rake? They can change the ad but not the email that went round surely?
	Snow Equipment Deals New Core Kite website

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: 02 Dec 14 at 12:28pm
	Maybe LP are trying to break into the handicap racing market with the Z420? After all, the normal 420 has always had complaints about being a bit crap in the light stuff, and this version changes that, or ought to, while still making the boat depowerable when it blows, Best of both worlds, and all of the 420 handicap if the RO doesn't notice... As for the conspiracy theory - never heard so much nonsense in my life, but I guess it keeps you amused.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686