Laser Pico Stability under Heavy Load

   I have sailed our pico with two adults in it ..... It's perfectly stable, but I really would NOT advise it, it's a constant limb tangle and bruising on the knees.  You get pretty wet too as they constantly flood with water.  My twin sons (now 17) still just about cram into it for a laugh but really grew out of it aged 13.  Being of "robust" rotomould construction the pico is not terribly light either. Certainly couldn't be car topped single handed! 
A wanderer sounds a good idea - especially as you can fit rowlocks and row home when the wind dies (or gets too strong).
If you don't mind getting a bit wet (low freeboard) and want a little more excitement, a laser 2 (especially the simpler "fun" version with no kite) might be OK too. 

Edited by NickA

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NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser Pico Stability under Heavy Load Posted: 08 Jan 10 at 3:50pm
	I have sailed our pico with two adults in it ..... It's perfectly stable, but I really would NOT advise it, it's a constant limb tangle and bruising on the knees. You get pretty wet too as they constantly flood with water. My twin sons (now 17) still just about cram into it for a laugh but really grew out of it aged 13. Being of "robust" rotomould construction the pico is not terribly light either. Certainly couldn't be car topped single handed! A wanderer sounds a good idea - especially as you can fit rowlocks and row home when the wind dies (or gets too strong). If you don't mind getting a bit wet (low freeboard) and want a little more excitement, a laser 2 (especially the simpler "fun" version with no kite) might be OK too. Edited by NickA
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 10 at 2:45pm
	Not big enough for two adults. Not even close. Bit small for even one medium or larger adult male.
	-_ Al

kinnie Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 08 Jan 10 Location: United Arab Emirates Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote kinnie Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 10 at 2:02pm
	I am also getting back into sailing after quite a break. I will mostly sail alone but will occasionally sail with my partner. I want something i can get onto the roof of the car quite easily alone and drag across the beach ( i live in Dubai). I was looking at the Pico as they are easily available here new, there is not much of a second hand market here! Any suggestions greatly received!

desteve1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 Feb 09 Location: cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 81	Post Options Post Reply Quote desteve1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 09 at 7:19pm
	top tip- dont reef pico 5 times or you cant depower in a force 7 gust :) or you'll "stack it" Edited by desteve1
	laser 81188 (looking for a name)

Mister Nick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 389	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mister Nick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Dec 09 at 8:18pm
	Pico would be a very, very bad choice for you guys. I sail one at the moment, there would be no where near enough room for the two of you.The pico is going to be very slow and tippy with two of you on board. I would go with something different. Edited by Mister Nick

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Dec 09 at 4:47pm
	Then there is the Miracle you can occassionly get these in GRP. Then there is the Wayfarers little cousin the Wanderer. Edited by Contender443
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Dec 09 at 4:35pm
	There are all sorts of older designs that would suit, and can be bought for 00's not 000's. The Otter and Gull can both be found in GRP, and in plywood there are all the boats from the 60's home build boom. The Mirror is the most common, but a look through here http://www.cvrda.org/dinghydata/index.htm will help you spend an idle hour in contemplation!
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

asterix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 621	Post Options Post Reply Quote asterix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Dec 09 at 1:37pm
	I agree about the RS400. I also think a Laser 2000 might be a bit more of a handful than you are looking for (as well as probably being too expensive even 2nd hand). They are stable, but do capsize occasionally (depending on how you sail them) and then they have a habit of turtling pretty fast. They are also a good few kilos to haul up the beach/slipway at the end of the day. Strangely (?) there is a L2000 called Rob Roy Edited by asterix

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Dec 09 at 1:31pm
	Laser 13 would be a great boat for what your after and would definately fit 2 or more full sized adults. £2k fhould easily buy you one.

Rob Roy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 Dec 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rob Roy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Dec 09 at 12:48pm
	Hi Guys Thanks for your replies - I'm glad I asked. Here's a little more info to help you help us: we're returning to dinghy sailing after a long break, we're getting on a bit & we'd rather not handle a heavy boat on land (eg Wayfarer) or recover from several capsizes on the trot (even though I had a proper Laser in the past and plenty practise righting it)! We're into pottering now on the Norfolk Broads where the water is smooth but the wind can be very gusty. So we're looking for a compromise, ie a boat which is light but stable (mutually exclusive I know) to suit two smallish adults, at the sacrifice of speed, preferably under £2k. All suggestions welcome.