Laser Bug
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=4568
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 4:18am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Laser Bug
Posted By: Webmuppet
Subject: Laser Bug
Date Posted: 24 Aug 08 at 10:18pm
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Hi Folks, we're have a bit of a dilemma, our littl'un enjoys her sailing but until recently really suffered from a lack of confidence - she knew all the stuff but was very reluctant to sail on her own despite actually sailing very well indeed. All this changed when she sailed one of the 'evaluation' Laser Bugs at Alton Water (with the smaller Dacron rig) - she rigged it and sailed it with the most amazing confidence and it was a real revelation to see her having such a good time. Unfortunately the boats had to go back to Laser and she was very disappointed. However we've just come back from Minorca Sailing and they too had a couple 'evaluation' Laser Bugs, needless to say littl'un was most impressed and even got one of their top instructors to give a 1:1 lesson to her in a Bug with the Mylar 'Race rig'. We have a Topper at home but she's a bit light for it, even with a 4.2m2 rig, she's also sailed the Taz and Tera in light winds but insists that the Bug is much more fun (and she has a real dislike of Oppis !). Should we buy her a Laser Bug ? or will she grow out of it too quickly?.........any words of wisdom would be much appreciated, Nigel  ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Replies:
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 25 Aug 08 at 8:56am
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I'd buy her a bug, Mainly because it seems to be the boat that gives her the most enjoyment and confidence to get out on the water! My daughter is only 3 but already showing an interest in sailing, when she is big enough (by the time she is 25 if her mum is anything to go by) we are going to buy her a Terra. They seem to perform really well on handicap in the kids races, they look a lot cooler then an oppi!
Good luck, and i say buy whatever it takes to build her confidence on the water! ------------- |
Posted By: Fans1024
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 12:16am
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By the size of that grin, I would buy her a bug. Seriously though, at that age wrong boat, lose of confidence, she may be turned off the sport for life. Good Luck! |
Posted By: Mark Jardine
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 6:54am
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I agree - go for the boat that makes her happy. The most important thing is getting out on the water and enjoying herself! That's a proper grin! |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 12:58pm
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Buy the Bug. You can't hold off buying a boat because you think someone will grow out of it. Taken to that idea's conclusion know one would buy a boat until they were 50 years old and it would be Solo!? If she's happy, buy it. Forget about the possible loss of money. You can't put a price on the joy she is obviously having. Although it is getting to the end of the year. You'd better budget for a Dry suit! ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 1:23pm
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I'd say go get her one, as has been said, you will loose money but if you don't mind that v's her having fun, then I see an order to Laser coming on! The other option is the Tera which can be reefed and have the sail options but hey, the bug looks like the way forward as this has been tried in the past.
------------- |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 2:10pm
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So, she's tested the alternatives*, thoroughly tested this one, and made it clear which one she gets the most out of? If we're assuming that you're going to get her a boat anyway, why even question? Seems pretty obvious from that grin.
*only other option in that bracket would be the O'Pen Bic? |
Posted By: Philsy
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 5:20pm
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Yes, go for it. Don't feel you have to buy her an Oppy.
I bought my daughter an O'pen Bic and she much prefers it to the old- fashioned Oppies she was forced to sail before. Phil ------------- |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 26 Aug 08 at 10:32pm
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How refreshing to see you all singing from the same hymn-book.......surely one of you could have said something controversial ! On a more serious note, yes, I think that that we ought to try to get her a Bug, we've already spoken with the guys at Laser and there will be some ex-demo boats becoming available, Many thanks, Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 27 Aug 08 at 4:48pm
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Nigel buy her a Cherub!
Well you did ask for it! ------------- |
Posted By: Contender443
Date Posted: 27 Aug 08 at 5:53pm
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On that thought. I bought my 6 year old a brand new Contender.
Shame I will have to use it until she is ready for it..... ------------- Bonnie Lass Contender 1764 |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 27 Aug 08 at 6:49pm
I did mention it, however, she seemed extremely under-whelmed, " They're the ones that always fall to bits aren't they daddy ?"...........so young, yet so wise  Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 27 Aug 08 at 10:13pm
There's a Laser Bug 'mini-site' here - http://bug.laserperformance.com/ - Clicky Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 01 Sep 08 at 8:19pm
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If Iremember the talk at the dinghy show, Jo Richards said it was designed so an adult could fit across comfortably for a cruise, and there is a wine bottle shaped hole in the moulding. So once your daughter is too old for it, you sould be about the right age to disappear up the creek "for a sail" with a bottle behind your back! ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 01 Sep 08 at 9:10pm
Perhaps I'm warming to the idea of a Bug  Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: s.a.l.t.y
Date Posted: 02 Sep 08 at 12:00am
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the bug is a far better boat than the oppie. if i had kids i would definately buy them a bug as a starter boat. ------------- |
Posted By: Splosh
Date Posted: 03 Sep 08 at 7:03pm
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Go for it Nigel! Yes the bug can easilly carry adults. I tested the bug at Alton (i was 15 at the time lol). I found it to have plenty of space for me and it was again proven as the 15stone centre manager jumped in a pottered round the res. My brother and i jumped in a oppie and a taz ( Well worth buying for miss webmuppet If not you could get her a 600 as were builing up a fleet atm at alton
Mark. ------------- RS300 - 346 :D |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 30 Sep 08 at 3:13pm
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Seen one for sale SH up Suffolk way. Nigel has a PM but I hope he didn't buy one then his daughter turn her nose at it? ------------- |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 30 Sep 08 at 6:19pm
Laser have got one stashed away and it's going to be her Christmas present.........so don't say anything - it's a secret !  Nigel (Ho Ho effin' Ho?......bah humbug!) ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 01 Oct 08 at 6:10pm
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Wish I got presents that nice! Bet my daughter does, too! ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Splosh
Date Posted: 01 Oct 08 at 6:18pm
I bet Santa will struggle to get it down your chimney ...You'll also need a very big tree to get it under  ------------- RS300 - 346 :D |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 01 Oct 08 at 6:38pm
Pah !......already checked that one out - Santa's got a double stacker behind his sleigh ! ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: feva sailor
Date Posted: 01 Oct 08 at 10:38pm
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Taz, Tera Bug, anything but an oppie
really most kids hate them, get bored with oppies really fast unless they get really good training and race alot.
if she want to go down the race route then get a Tera, the diferent sail options means you buy new sails not a new boat.
id get the bug, she looks happy in it |
