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Demise of the Laser 4000
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Neptune View Drop Down
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    Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 4:15pm
Originally posted by Paramedic


A better example of this is the Laser EPS vs the RS 300. The EPS is arguably a better - certainly a more versatile - boat, but the 300 was made properly and out of the materials it was designed to be made from.

I’ve never sailed an eps... but really?  The 300 is a spectacular race boat.
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furtive View Drop Down
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Posts: 188 		Post Options Post Options   Quote furtive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 4:21pm
Originally posted by Neptune

Originally posted by Paramedic


A better example of this is the Laser EPS vs the RS 300. The EPS is arguably a better - certainly a more versatile - boat, but the 300 was made properly and out of the materials it was designed to be made from.

I’ve never sailed an eps... but really?  The 300 is a spectacular race boat.

Have to agree - the EPS was an absolute dog.
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Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 4:27pm
It was designed to be a lot lighter, and built from carbon and epoxy.

LPE in their wisdom built it from polyester and CSM. And the rig wasn't brilliant either. Its no wonder its a dog compared to the 300 :)

Out of the two I know which I'd rather sail on the sea in any kind of wind. The 300 simply isn't a boat you can sail/race properly in a range of conditions and venues, which its probably why it never really took off either.


Edited by Paramedic - 04 Jul 20 at 4:29pm
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No, the EPS was epoxy/foam, at least mine was. Light too, at least until you bolted the wings on!
The wing attachments were always a weak point, and with the benefit of hindsight I suppose fixed racks would have been lighter, cheaper and better. Clever carbon rig setup too which is effectively unstayed but allowed rake to be adjusted. Yes the sail appeared to be less than optimum, it wouldn't point very well and it was b***dy uncomfortable downwind, but should have been the makings of a good boat imo.
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Paramedic View Drop Down
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Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 5:45pm
Originally posted by pondlife1736

No, the EPS was epoxy/foam, at least mine was. Light too, at least until you bolted the wings on!
The wing attachments were always a weak point, and with the benefit of hindsight I suppose fixed racks would have been lighter, cheaper and better. Clever carbon rig setup too which is effectively unstayed but allowed rake to be adjusted. Yes the sail appeared to be less than optimum, it wouldn't point very well and it was b***dy uncomfortable downwind, but should have been the makings of a good boat imo.


The one I owned briefly was definitely polyester :) They do have foam in them, but lots of CSM.

It had lots of potential, but the 300 did most things better.

Neither really achieved popularity.


Edited by Paramedic - 04 Jul 20 at 5:47pm
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pondlife1736 View Drop Down
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Posts: 106 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pondlife1736 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 5:49pm

[/QUOTE]

It had lots of potential, but the 300 did most things better.

[/QUOTE]
 



Including tipping you in ;)


Edited by pondlife1736 - 04 Jul 20 at 5:50pm
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Neptune View Drop Down
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Posts: 1314 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Neptune Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 5:59pm
Originally posted by Paramedic

The 300 simply isn't a boat you can sail/race properly in a range of conditions and venues, which its probably why it never really took off either.

Disagree, it’s just needs to be sailed properly and shows up poor technique... 
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Paramedic View Drop Down
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Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 6:20pm
Originally posted by Neptune

Disagree, it’s just needs to be sailed properly and shows up poor technique... 

Maybe the case. I wouldn't fancy sailing one around Mounts Bay in a force 5 SW though.
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3401 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 7:19pm
Originally posted by Neptune

Originally posted by Paramedic

The 300 simply isn't a boat you can sail/race properly in a range of conditions and venues, which its probably why it never really took off either.

Disagree, it’s just needs to be sailed properly and shows up poor technique... 

Like I said in my previous post, one (wo)man's un-sailable beast or boring old slug is another (wo)man's great boat.
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Posts: 20 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jcooper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 20 at 7:53pm
Going back to original topic of the L4000.....

Although it doesn't offer the raw power of the 4000, the RS500 offers good single wire asymmetric for lighter teams who don't want to battle with the 29er squad.   

 Fairly niche in the UK at the moment, but popular in mainland Europe.....60 boats at the 2019 Worlds and a British world champion so can't be dismissed as a training boat!

But for some reason hiking boats (200, 400, etc) seem to be preferred in the UK market.....maybe because of smaller waters and love of more tactical sailing.  

Personally I'd rather blast upwind in a trapeze boat rather slog it in a hiking boat!
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