Should I switch to a Laser 4K?

The last person I know who owned one found it nearly impossible to sell, so be aware of that...Of course that probably also means they're very easy to buy...

To my mind they are very big heavy lumps, but I am horribly biased towards light boats: they are so much not my sort of boat that it would be invidious of me to pass much comment. I've only sailed one a couple of times and was not anxious to repeat the experience, but hundreds more people bought 4 Tonners than bought most classes I do rave about, so my opinions are something less than mainstream!

The wing wang things are not a big deal, you just train the helm to pull on the string after a gybe. You may or may not need to have them in some special position or another for hoists and drops to work properly, I don't know as regards the 4000.

As I remember Wet and Windy or someone have bought up all the spares, so until they start running out of things spares should be easy enough. Whether or which bits they'll manufacture new batches of if/when the stock does run out is another matter of course, but if it gets to that stage whatever's left of the class will presumably be much less precious about using only "official" one design parts! At a last resort you can probably get a reasonable equivalent for pretty much any part of any boat made by a development boat builder provided you cross his palm with sufficient folding paper...

Thanks Jim,

Yes selling them on might be a concern, but as I keep
reminding myself (and as you put yourself), sailing is no
great investment.

I suspect compared to your Vago a 4k will be a dream.

There's one at our club, quite a beat up one but it puts on a turn of speed
now and again.

Redback on here is the bloke to ask he's often posting in the weekend
thread seems to enjoy his.

I guess their pretty low cost now. If money were not an option I'd point
you straight at an Alto, much better all rounder and I suspect faster over
a broader range of conditions, certainly takes out a 4k in the light stuff
maybe not as fast at high angles in a breeze, but can take them out if
they get their angles wrong by soaking and or using the swinging pole.

A much better choice than an RS500..

But then again its probably pricey although if there were a few of you I
bet a deal and a half could be struck right now just to get some fleets
built.

Edited by G.R.F.

Haven''t sailed a 4k much, but in light winds there are sooooooo.... uncomfortable for the crew - shins bruised on the lead weights

 

 

We did talk about the RS500 (all our crews want to
trapeze) , and to be honest I would
have been happy to switch to it, but the other two helms
are currently sailing 400's and after a recent test sail
found it a bit uninspirational.

Our asymmetric fleet is pretty much 2000 dominated with
ones and twos from other classes. It would make sense to
consolidate some of these other classes and the weight
equalisation would be good as we're a mix of
husband/wife, father/son/daughter combinations.

The trouble with out of production boats is you can't
just ring up for a test sail!



Edited by ellistine