Should I get a laser?

   Hey i'm 16 and I can sail quite well. I'v been sailing since the summer and do it as much as I can. I go to my cadets and do some races and go to a club. I have sailed a pico, RS Tera, RS Feva, topaz and I have tried a laser with my friend and I was thinking of getting a boat. I would quite like to get a laser as my club has a whole class for them and lots of people there sail them but most people who get a laser have a bit more experience then me and I'm worried if I get one then I won't be as good and I will look a bit stupid Another thing is that most of my friends have gone from a topper to a laser as a second boat and not going strait to a laser but I feel like I would be a bit old to sail a topper as most people my age are now moving to lasers. also I'm worried I won't be able to rig it. Has anyone gotten a laser as there first boat and I was just wondering what you think. Thank you.

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ELsailing Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 31 Oct 15 Location: Whitstable Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote ELsailing Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Should I get a laser? Posted: 08 Nov 15 at 5:50pm
	Hey i'm 16 and I can sail quite well. I'v been sailing since the summer and do it as much as I can. I go to my cadets and do some races and go to a club. I have sailed a pico, RS Tera, RS Feva, topaz and I have tried a laser with my friend and I was thinking of getting a boat. I would quite like to get a laser as my club has a whole class for them and lots of people there sail them but most people who get a laser have a bit more experience then me and I'm worried if I get one then I won't be as good and I will look a bit stupid Another thing is that most of my friends have gone from a topper to a laser as a second boat and not going strait to a laser but I feel like I would be a bit old to sail a topper as most people my age are now moving to lasers. also I'm worried I won't be able to rig it. Has anyone gotten a laser as there first boat and I was just wondering what you think. Thank you.

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: 08 Nov 15 at 7:26pm
	Doesn't your club have one you can try for a few races?
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JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Nov 15 at 7:29pm
	Loads of people have got Lasers as first boats, so no particular worry there. Its quite possible to come last in races and neither feel stupid nor not enjoy the sailing: its happening all too often to me this season for some reason.

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: 08 Nov 15 at 8:23pm
	I expect you'd get loads of help from the other Laser sailors. Sounds like a good choice to get you started. Be worth borrowing one if you can just to be sure.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 823	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Nov 15 at 8:29pm
	The trouble I always have with young people in Lasers is that you start off being able to beat them, but in a depressingly short time they leave you standing! If there's a good class fleet at your club I'd see that as a very good reason to get one - you'll improve far quicker having a fleet of similar boats with a range of more or less experienced crews to race against than sailing in a handicap fleet with few, or no, other boats of your class sailing. However, GRF is right, try and see if you can try one out - it shouldn't be a problem if its a decent club with a welcoming fleet. Not sure how big you are, but I'm sure you know there are a range of rigs available for a Laser, from the 4.7 up through the Radial to the full rig - a radial is likely to be about right for a mid sized 16 year old, but possibly a full rig if you are big, or as you gain confidence and experience.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

turnturtle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538	Post Options Post Reply Quote turnturtle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Nov 15 at 9:26am
	If your friends have Lasers, then get one too! You'll have more fun all sailing the same thing, not to mention you'll learn loads from overall ownership experience. I have some my best sailing memories from being around 16 and sailing Lasers with my mates, have fun!!!

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: 09 Nov 15 at 11:27am
	Which is why he's now buying a proper sailing device after Lasers ruined his young life.
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Ardea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Oct 15 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ardea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Nov 15 at 12:28pm
	If you weigh more than about 70kg and there's a fleet of good sailors then I'd say get one, much less than 70kg and you probably want a radial rig. When it comes to improving your sailing, competing against a fleet of experienced sailors is probably second only to crewing for one!