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Latest legal Laser tweaks????
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kneewrecker View Drop Down
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Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Latest legal Laser tweaks????
    Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 12:24pm
The Aero and the Zero are two boats that have come about which are truly inspiring- they are the right product, at the right time in what I think will be the right market.  None of the other so-called 'Laser killers' that have come about have been even close to it in terms of potential market acceptability.

Previously they've all approached it with a gimmick- be that bigger horsepower and righting moment, a second sail, marginally more speed that makes bugger all relative difference.  Maybe more complex rigging or simply a challenge to the view that only the Laser offers proper class racing- a myth both Phantoms and especially Solos can bust with bona fide regional traveller circuits sitting nicely between club membership and big weekend mileage, plus some good club series out there too.  

The Aero and Zero are different- they are not trying to say the Laser is rubbish, far from it.  They are variations on the theme of what the Laser is, and what made it so mind-blowing in 1972.  Naturally they've got a 21st century interpretation and are, in themselves, different enough to offer some real choice about which one is better (cue question: the answer is personal, vote with your wallet).  

Neither will 'kill' the laser, if anything they may just support it.  Simple unarig sailing in that loose 1030-1090 PY band should be seen as a category rather than a collection.... the more folks out there rejecting all the gimmicks and fashion fads and sailing nice simple beach boats, the better it will be for the category as a whole. 

Of course, we'd need to make sure we all sailed together once in a while to prove the point, and that's the stumbling block.... inevitably there'll be 3 crapply supported events for the Aero, Zero and Laser (non yoof) - probably one at Rutland, one at Grafham and one at Datchet all on the same weekend.  Good for forum and bar bitching under the auspices of class loyalty, bad for recreational sailboat racing....
  




Edited by kneewrecker - 23 Jun 14 at 12:40pm
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Daniel Holman View Drop Down
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Posts: 997 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Daniel Holman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 1:17pm
Originally posted by Null

Originally posted by alanms

You are right that the "RS Aero poses a major threat" I have had a trial sail and I was so impressed that I placed an order. It is a quantum leap ahead of the Laser as you might expect from a modern design.
The Laser is far from dead and there may be some confusion but, before you write off the Aero, have a sail in it and decide for yourself. 

Alan did you try the D-Zero before you placed your order? Probably worth taking heed of your own before ordering IMO and that of others who have.

To my mind the Aero has as much chance as replacing the laser as i have of winning the laser Nationals.  But then i don't think that's what RS (or Devoti) are trying to do.  Its obvious by the Laser, Solo, Phantom success that this area of the market is the largest, so having a viable product in the segment is right for their business models.  Its important to remember that this does all stem back to someone trying to make a living by developing, manufacturing and turning a profit out of a product.  Sure they both want to make a success of themselves and if they could replicate half the success they have swam the ocean in my mind.  


Half the success?! I'd be made up with less than a percent of the success!
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kneewrecker View Drop Down
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Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 2:43pm
http://www.nwyachting.com/2014/06/laser-killer/
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alstorer View Drop Down
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Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 2:52pm
RS dealer likes new RS shocker!
-_
Al
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kneewrecker View Drop Down
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Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 2:54pm
Originally posted by alstorer

RS dealer likes new RS shocker!

LOL  
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 3:25pm
That carry it up the beach lark is just a joke. Get any breeze and the windage will make that pretty much impossible if not downright dangerous.

Edited by jeffers - 23 Jun 14 at 3:35pm
Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74
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Xpletive View Drop Down
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Posts: 320 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Xpletive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 10:31pm
Originally posted by blaze720

This is a general 'forum' ... not a closed CA paid up members debate !

Bless! Strayed off his free promotion zone....
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bustinben View Drop Down
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Posts: 288 		Post Options Post Options   Quote bustinben Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 11:13pm
Originally posted by jeffers

That carry it up the beach lark is just a joke. Get any breeze and the windage will make that pretty much impossible if not downright dangerous.

I dunno, probably less dangerous than trying to land on a trolley on an exposed beach in 20 knots :D

Could be the perfect solution for solo sailing!  Hoof it up the beach on its side, drop the sail and flip onto the trolley.
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blaze720 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1635 		Post Options Post Options   Quote blaze720 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 14 at 11:19pm
Hi Xpletive

Well someone at least is paying attention !  Thought we might snare a bit of comment there of course...  On this (very) rare occasion I dared to suggest that the Laser could benefit from a bit of 'development' (aka controlled evolution) ... well 'guilty as charged' of course.   Yes a 100% admission of guilt.   (But we bet you cant remember what was really suggested without looking back though  ... ah you really can't can you .. come on be honest )  

In mitigation I can only say that, when the Laser sported wood, and for many years way back (and  even a few times since), I sailed the said vessel so considered that I might just be slightly qualified to voice an opinion.   If you have followed the Y&Y forum over the past few years you might also have noticed that I never really comment on other makers boats.... so this was possibly that rare 'first'.  But quite a few here seem to think it very reasonable to do so about boats they 'know all about' ... but have yet to actually sail themselves !  But heck this is a forum and perhaps should not be mistaken for reality.

But all the same come along there ... try out in an Icon for instance just once - for it is offered to all and tell us how you think things might be improved.    We've already pinched any idea or three that made to through the user R&D 'committee' from any other class worth looking at but are always open to new ideas / feedback.  We are not rigid/proud and if 'it' is better than what we do now .... it stands a bloody good chance of being incoporated. 

So see you in Paignton maybe at PODD  this weekend ?  Totally seriously you or anyone else would be made very welcome just PM us or Mike / Charlotte of the CA.  We can take the 'feedback' ...  A strightforward and very decent  'boat and beer offer' .. No tricks, no obligations, not even any sort of a sales pitch  .... And we really hope you might be tempted.

Mike L.

PS - I'm totally out of here now !    

 


Edited by blaze720 - 23 Jun 14 at 11:33pm
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Null View Drop Down
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Posts: 745 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Null Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 14 at 10:51am
Originally posted by bustinben

Originally posted by jeffers

That carry it up the beach lark is just a joke. Get any breeze and the windage will make that pretty much impossible if not downright dangerous.

I dunno, probably less dangerous than trying to land on a trolley on an exposed beach in 20 knots :D

Could be the perfect solution for solo sailing!  Hoof it up the beach on its side, drop the sail and flip onto the trolley.

I am guessing this is tongue in cheek?  Jeffers is right and i think Martin agreed that they shouldn't push this too much.  The boat is incredibly light and whilst the HSE does not specify a manual limit to maximum weight manually lifted i would suggest its well over what most people should lift 'In a box'  that coupled with windage someone could really hurt themselves and could land RS in trouble i guess.  Something i wouldn't want to see despite some of my personal feelings (keep the Health and safety/blame claim crap out of sailing please as it would ruin the sport)
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