First Boat Laser 2
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=10828
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 8:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: First Boat Laser 2
Posted By: Riawalker
Subject: First Boat Laser 2
Date Posted: 17 Apr 13 at 8:39pm
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I'm a very keen beginner (adult) and my son is a competent 11 year old who has been sailing for 4/5 years. He enjoys sailing but not racing however he said he would like to sail bigger boats and not be on his own, he's been on yacht and enjoys being part of the crew. I found a Laser 2 on Appollo Duck local to us for £750...
My question is, is a Laser 2 a reasonable first boat for me that I could sail sail on my own And sail with my son ? I'm suspicious its a 2 man boat and rules out my sailing without my crew!! Many thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Reuben T
Date Posted: 17 Apr 13 at 8:50pm
| I have had a laser 2 for the past two years and loved it. The only miss-giving I would have is that if you were in a stronger wind location it might be a bit of a handful for a beginner. The lake where I sail has an average wind speed of around 10 knots in which using the trapeze isn't an option for the weight of my crew and myself, it just works as a nicely powered up hiking boat. Also if you develop quickly, the problem with always needing a crew isn't a problem. After a bit of time and significant swimming. I have become reasonably adept with handling the boat single handed from the trapeze, including the spinnaker(after more swimming). I have single handed with three sails in 35 knots which is extremely exiting, its a lot about practicing sailing in heavy winds and coping with being overpowered rather than wrestling with the power, I have found it as even helped my standard laser racing for heavy weather due to the practice at being overpowered. |
Posted By: Solitaireblue
Date Posted: 17 Apr 13 at 8:57pm
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Hi Just noticed your post. I am far from a Laser man myself. I do sail an Enterprise though, single handed, which is basically a 2 man dinghy which is fun. I have seen this video of a Laser 2 being sailed single handed. Not sure if this is the sort of sailing you are looking for but check it out if you like. I'm sure someone who knows far more than I will give you excellent advice on this subject. Happy sailing to you and your son. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TEg3RDIcHo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TEg3RDIcHo |
Posted By: Riawalker
Date Posted: 17 Apr 13 at 9:01pm
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Great, thanks for the quick reply, we're in Edinburgh so extremely variable weather!!
Are there any particular points I should be looking at if I go look at this boat? I'm noting from the advert that there's only a launching trolley, presuming that might be an issue in actually getting the boat home but sure I can borrow a road trailer from the club that's selling it. |
Posted By: Reuben T
Date Posted: 17 Apr 13 at 9:01pm
| I have photos and vides of me and my friend single handing with three sails that I can upload if anyone could tell me how |
Posted By: Solitaireblue
Date Posted: 17 Apr 13 at 11:31pm
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To upload a photo open the 'Post Reply' box (bottom left hand corner) not the 'quick reply'. When open, find and click on the 'Insert image' icon in the tool bar. That will open another panel (Image Properties).
Find and click the 'browse' button where you can navigate to the image you wish
to upload. Click the image and the file pathway will appear in the (Browse)
panel and to there a 'preview' of the image will appear in the preview pane
ready to upload. You can add text to the photo if you wish by inserting into the Alt Text panel. Use other icons to upload other media. Hope this has been of help. Good luck! |
Posted By: Reuben T
Date Posted: 18 Apr 13 at 8:04pm
Thanks, it appears the video has to be on youtube because the file is too big to upload into a post 
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Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 18 Apr 13 at 8:17pm
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I would think if you're a reasonable size and weight the laser 2 would be a great singlehander if all you wnat to do is cruise about, sail with your son and learn the basics. The early laser 2s used to fail around the rudder fittings, but otherwise pretty sound. Check ebay too, there's quite a few on there, but do go and look before you bid. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: Dannyboy
Date Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 3:11pm
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Hello just found this post and I'm curious as to wether you purchased a laser2. I ask as I'm was thinking along the same lines as your initial post. I want something I can manage on my own and cruise around with a crew of 2 and the laser 2 seems to be a cheap first boat. All the best
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Posted By: transient
Date Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 4:05pm
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The laser 2 represents very good value for money. It's a boat you can learn in stages, sail it as a hiker in lightish winds and then progress onto the trapeze, once you have that sorted you can learn the spinnaker. On a 3 sail reach with a bit of wind they are great fun, water everywhere and like being on a go kart. 2 light adults and a child is very comfortable. They do not like being too overloaded though. as for single handing (see above). Unfortunately the class association is all but dead so no open events to go to. This is the main reason for the low prices. The original mast is a 2 piece with diamond spreaders which can be a bit dead and with very crude outhaul, downhaul and kicker not easy to tweak power wise......However since laser lost the die for the top section a new one piece mast has been developed.
The class did make an attempt to modernise and alter the sail controls with lines lead back to the helm and improved/modernised rules (as the Laser/torch did) but unfortunately the various national classes could not come to agreement on what to do........So alas, the class has no chance of resurrection. ......for blasting around or club racing it's excellent choice price wise. |