Multi-purpose dinghy: RS Vision, Laser 2000 or ???

Hi, 
Thought I should follow-up for the benefit of anyone else reading this and facing a similar decision to me.

I bought a Laser 2000 and have been happily sailing it (at Burghfield) for the last year-and-a-half.  It does everything I need, covering the range from "family cruising" to single-handed racing.  In particular, I find it a great boat for improving my sailing skills - it's forgiving of errors and responds well when I (eventually) figure out what I should be doing.

I've looked at lots of other boats since buying it, thinking "should I have got this instead...?" but can't find anything else that I'd rather have.  I may outgrow it one day, but there's plenty (in terms of its abilities and tweakability) to keep me interested and happy now and well into the future.

Thanks again for everyone's input here that helped with my decision.

Best,
Scott (22305)

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ScottM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Sep 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote ScottM Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Multi-purpose dinghy: RS Vision, Laser 2000 or ??? Posted: 20 Aug 12 at 1:49pm
	Hi, Thought I should follow-up for the benefit of anyone else reading this and facing a similar decision to me. I bought a Laser 2000 and have been happily sailing it (at Burghfield) for the last year-and-a-half. It does everything I need, covering the range from "family cruising" to single-handed racing. In particular, I find it a great boat for improving my sailing skills - it's forgiving of errors and responds well when I (eventually) figure out what I should be doing. I've looked at lots of other boats since buying it, thinking "should I have got this instead...?" but can't find anything else that I'd rather have. I may outgrow it one day, but there's plenty (in terms of its abilities and tweakability) to keep me interested and happy now and well into the future. Thanks again for everyone's input here that helped with my decision. Best, Scott (22305)

ChrisJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Aug 12 at 9:13pm
	If you plan to out-grow it, you will. If you move on with it, you may never out-grow it, and will always have something extra to learn. Come along to some of the Open Meetings - Great friendly class and lots of new things to learn. After 35 years of sailing things from Cadet's to RS400's and many things in between, we find the Laser 2000 to be a great racing boat.

Oliver1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 12 Location: Switzerland Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oliver1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 12 at 10:11pm
	Hi Scott I read your thread and it's great to see an update 18 months later as to how you are getting on. I'm in a very similar situation to you when you started out. One question I'm interested in is: are you able to get the mast up on your own on the Laser 2000 or do you need someone to help you? Secondly, are you able to 'easily' get it out of the water on your own ? Thanks, Oliver

r2d2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 29 Sep 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 350	Post Options Post Reply Quote r2d2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 12 at 10:51pm
	I have a laser 2000 and the answer to both of your questions is "yes" it can be done but it is easier with two. To step the mast you have to lift it to vertical after attaching the shrouds, put the mast foot in place and then work your way forward with the forestay to secure it. You need to plan your moves and make sure the dinghy is on a stable bit of ground so it doesnt tip or move. Pulling the boat out obviously depends on what it is like where you sail (shore, waves, tide, jetty etc). I sail single-handed sometimes and have struggled a bit hauling up the shore on my own( but I am a 12 stone weakling).

Oliver1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 12 Location: Switzerland Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oliver1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 12 at 8:28am
	Many thanks for your quick reply. Well I'm 10 stone... That sounds encouraging, and is at least 'doable'. I live on the Continent and we have many inland lakes with light winds, few waves, and concrete slipways to access the water. two further questions: (1) does the mast come apart into two pieces? Roughly what is the length of each section? I would like to tow it (as we have many lakes) but store in the garage when not in use. (2) how long does it take an average person to rig it without rushing (i.e. put the mast up, prepare everything, sail). Kind regards, Oliver

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 12 at 8:37am
	The mast is single section- but it isn't that long.
	-_ Al

ScottM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Sep 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote ScottM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 12 at 11:10am
	Hi Oliver, Yes one person can step the mast, but as r2d2 says it's a bit awkward. I fit the shrouds and forestay very loosely first, so there's enough slack to get the mast in position, then adjust once the mast is up (while keeping hold of at least one line so there's enough tension to stop the mast falling over again!). At least that way, I know all three wires are secured all the time. Yes one person can get it out of the water, but it's hard work pulling it up a gravel slope on a foreshore. A shallow concrete slipway is much easier. I usually end up zig-zagging back and forth to make it a shallower slope (or make enough grunting noises until someone notices and comes to help!). As for rigging time, that can depend a lot on how thoroughly you've packed it all away (eg jib rolled away in sailbag vs flaked on foredeck with lower shackle and sheets still attached) and and how quickly you like to work without 'rushing'! From 'boat on trailer at waterside with everything packed' to 'boat on water with sails up' I would estimate 30-45 minutes, once you've got a slick routine organised. Others may of course say faster or slower than that. The mast is about 20 feet long. A question you didn't ask but that may be relevant: how easily can it be recovered from a capsize single-handed? My own view: it can be hard work, but it's not as difficult as some other similar sized boats.

r2d2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 29 Sep 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 350	Post Options Post Reply Quote r2d2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 12 at 3:57pm
	I agree with Scott's last point. Somewhere between 12 and 10 stone (or maybe just a bit less) is the point where it does become difficult to right a fully turtled L2K on your own. A 40 litre masthead float might be sensible when single handing because then it does seem to lie nicely on its side

Oliver1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 12 Location: Switzerland Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oliver1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 12 at 4:43pm
	Thanks very much again to all for the quick responses! I fully agree with the comment about the masthead float; indeed relevant! Capsizing does worry me, especially if I'm with my son (aged 5 going on 6). (By the way, any tips on what you do in such a circumstance?) Ok, so now I need to test one out, and also probably something smaller like a Laser Pico. I'd be interested to hear Scott if you ever considered something smaller in your deliberations.

ScottM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Sep 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote ScottM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 12 at 7:42pm
	Regarding capsizing with children: I use a masthead float when there are children in the boat, and of course they always wear 100N buoyancy aids. Check in advance they're comfortable being in water, and can swim (in the sense of happily moving around and staying afloat rather than covering any distance). Explain the possibility of a capsize before going afloat (so it doesn't panic them should it happen) Make sure they're calm and ok if they do go in the water and understand what's going on (particularly if they're on the cockpit side of the boat while you're out of sight on the other side hanging off the centreboard!) If you can't scoop them up while righting the boat, this may sound counter-intuitive but I'd get yourself back in the boat first, then pick up the child. If you put them in the boat first while you're still in the water, there's less you can do to help them should anything else happen. Personally, I find a Pico too small for me alone, let alone with a passenger, whether adult or child. I didn't consider anything smaller as I like room to stretch out (long legs :-). However the RS Feva springs to mind as a fun boat to sail if you decide the L2K is too big. The Feva's great for one adult solo, or an adult+child.