Choosing a boat: Should I get a laser?

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Should I get 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=12213
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 2:18am
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Topic: Should I get a laser?

Posted By: ELsailing
Subject: Should I get a laser?
Date 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.

Replies:

Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 08 Nov 15 at 7:26pm

Doesn't your club have one you can try for a few races?

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Posted By: JimC
Date 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.

Posted By: Rupert
Date 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.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: PeterG
Date 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.

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Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: turnturtle
Date 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!!!

Posted By: iGRF
Date 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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Posted By: Ardea
Date 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!