Choosing a boat: Price to age ratio for Laser 1 / Radial

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Price to age ratio for Laser 1 / Radial

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
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URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9911
Printed Date: 06 Aug 25 at 6:26am
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Topic: Price to age ratio for Laser 1 / Radial

Posted By: Hanna
Subject: Price to age ratio for Laser 1 / Radial
Date Posted: 07 Oct 12 at 7:30pm

I'm looking to get a Laser 1 (with standard and radial rig) and have been stalking Apollo Duck and similar sites for a month or so now. However, the price to age ratio seems to vary quite widely, especially dependent on the site.

My budget is around £2k and my sailing club have said I should be able to get something in the 170s or 180s... Apollo Duck sometimes agrees (and those ones are either sold before I can get to them or in Scotland) but also has many at a lower sail number for the same price (but not a seemingly proportionally higher spec otherwise). I've spoken to a few shops and whilst I expect to pay more trade the difference is coming up quite high (approximately £500).

The boat will be for club sailing/racing (coastal) and will be my very first boat (having done my RYA level 2 recently). I'm intending to keep it for a good few years, but eventually would like to work my way up to a Musto Skiff (all in good time... no hurry to provide that much amusement to the club just yet)!

Helpful advice would be much appreciated. I'm getting pretty fed up with stalking Apollo Duck - although have been assured by my club that there are precious few sailing days left now until April as the weather is on the turn and therefore not to worry too much.

Thanks in advance... and I hope I've posted this in the right forum!

Replies:

Posted By: GybeFunny
Date Posted: 07 Oct 12 at 9:25pm

Having seen how the Lasers launch/recover down on the sussex coast maybe its worth spending a bit less and then not having to worry about the boat as much. Also rather than limiting yourself to only 2nd hand boats wiith both rigs, how about looking forboats with just 1 rig and buy the other rig separately, maybe buying a replica rig for the one you are least likely to use would be a good idea. I have a rooster replica radial for that same reason.

If you dont want to stop for the winter a number of boats from your area sail the winter at Bough Beech, maybe that would be a good place to start?

Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 07 Oct 12 at 10:26pm

I wouldn't waste that much on a Laser, Eastbourne is very similar to where we sail and they do get trashed on the beach, the good news, there is a strong bunch that sail Lasers out of Eastbourne if you get to race any of them, they'll bring you on quite quickly.

It's also a massive jump from a Laser to an MPS, you should look at factoring in a Contender along the way.

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https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/

Posted By: Hanna
Date Posted: 08 Oct 12 at 5:13am

Cheers guys.

I'm certainly looking at a boat with one or other rigs and then buying the second. As you say, there's quite a few lasers in the club and I think we're pretty good at looking after them and making sure they're not dragged up the beach! One guy has just bought a brand new one but that's not something I'm contemplating.

Good to know about Bough Beech and yes, other boats are certainly going to be factored in on the path to a MPS - that's a long term goal and not something I'm intending to rush into. :-)

Posted By: PeterV
Date Posted: 08 Oct 12 at 12:29pm

It's worth bearing in mind that laser prices are a bit like cars, they are priced more by age than condition, so it's possible to get an older boat in better condition but cheaper than a newer one, so for value I'd be looking for an older, lightly used boat.

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PeterV
Finn K197, Finn GBR564, GK29
Warsash