Step Down From a Laser?
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10319
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 6:26am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Step Down From a Laser?
Posted By: EmmyC
Subject: Step Down From a Laser?
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 1:38pm
Hi all, you may remember last year I was gearing up for a Laser season. Well, in that season I regularly capsized spectacularly, suffered far too much gear failure and a back injury. I then went and lost 2 stone in weight. So I am now selling the Laser (if I can piece it back together) and down-grading (in size, not performance (hopefully)) and am desperately in need of suggestions for another boat. At my club the main fleets are Toppers, Topazes, Lasers and Solutions. As I want a bit more performance than the first two, and a bit less weight than the latter two, I will have to bid farewell to tight class racing  . So, does anyone know a boat that'd be good for a <60kg young female sailor?Emily |
Replies:
Posted By: kevg
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 1:55pm
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Europe? Byte? There are many other single handers but what about double handed?
Kevin
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Posted By: EmmyC
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 2:09pm
| Well, there is talk of a B14 at the club, and I don't know who the crew is yet. I may have to have a word with the person who may/may not get it. Also, at cadet week I raced as a crew in a Tres, and we were pretty successful. I was hoping to be a crew next year actually, but I don't want to be left high and dry if I'm dependent on a helm. Also, if I bought my own double-hander, I'm fairly certain I'd have no one to sail with. Is a Byte much lighter than a Laser? I know they're fairly similar........ |
Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 2:44pm
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it all depends what you want out of the boat and what size of water you sail on. also are you looking for a good class open series? if you want an unstayed rig, think europe, lightning 368, comet or byte. if you want stayed think, streaker. if you sail on a very small puddle even a british moth could be worth a look. all these boat have good and bad points, it just depends how they match up with what you want out of a boat. if it was me i would look at the streaker first (great boat with a good open seres), if you dont fancy it, then take a look at the europe, byte and lightning 368 in that order. ------------- |
Posted By: ham4sand
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 7:30pm
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funboat? ------------- John Hamilton cherub 2645 - cheese before bedtime cherub 3209 - anatidaephobia laser 176847 - kiss this [FORSALE] |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 8:06pm
| Maybe we should explore why you had so much trouble with the Laser... Europes are super little boats for example, but no-one ever said they are easier to sail than a Laser... Also was it full rig or Radial Laser? |
Posted By: EmmyC
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 8:46pm
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Well, my original back injury came from rigging up the full rig in a force 5-6 when first got the boat. Then, whenever I sailed I sailed with the radial rig. The main problem is really where sail from. Launching is horrible in the Laser (especially in the rudder) as I sail off of the Essex coast where the swell is occasionally quite terrifying. Now that mention it, a boat with a good rudder system is necessary ;) Emily
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Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 9:22pm
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Emmy, we have a byte c2 and a bunch of Europes here at Hunts - just outside Cambridge. You'd be welcome to coem and try them both. The last forumite to do this chose the europe, not question, but given where you sail you might well find it a tad alarming in big swell plus it isn't easy to launch - quite tippy. The europe is the better boat, but the c2 is more stable and will cope with the waves better - in my opinion. Also, consider a splash with a flash rig for the lighter days. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: Wee Man
Date Posted: 25 Dec 12 at 9:37am
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Lots of cat sailing in Essex, Spitfire helming or crewing or single handed Shaddow. ------------- Nacra Infusion F18 |
Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 25 Dec 12 at 10:39am
my daughter had a splash with an extra flash rig and i must say i thought it was very well designed and well built boat. the only reason we sold it was it did not suit our tiny puddle( on a larger bit of water it would be great) and the fact my daughter commandeered my lightning 368 to sail so much, i had to buy yet another another boat for myself!!!!!!!!  ------------- |
Posted By: doeywizard
Date Posted: 25 Dec 12 at 10:24pm
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Have you considered getting a 4.7 rig for your laser?put that on when its windy and sail the radial in other winds, I do this and weigh 65 kg, i find that when it is windy the 4.7 is actually quite fun to sail, its up wind sailing is also very fast so is very competitive in mixed fleet racing. But if you have set on moving out of laser then i would say the byte c2. I have always thought about getting one as a second boat as I have only heard positive comments about them. ------------- Topper 46148 for sale http://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=276804 |