RS Aero vs Laser

Originally posted by cad99uk Originally posted by zeon Can only agree about the d-zero. The wide rolled decks are wonderful, it's just a shame that there are other things about it that make not suitable for me and where I sail. Could you share what 'those other things' are?

Originally posted by Chris 249 I wonder if a class could be designed that would allow you to alter side deck width? You may just need a removable section of inwale that could fit on the inside of the cockpit. With a couple of different widths you may allow for more comfort without really harming the OD characteristics at all. It is interesting how often the wider cockpit concept seems to have as many problems as the narrow footwell idea.

Why not just have cushions like the Finn boys do?

I've recently been racing against a D-zero at my home club. Another evening I've started having a go in a Laser for the first time in over 20 years.
Hard to see why anyone would mention the two boats in one sentence.
The D zero is a nice refined modern dinghy, costs a fair amount and seems to go very well. But mostly PY racing.
The Laser is an irritating primitive collection of junk cobbled together with bits of string and basic parts that either don't work or are doomed to break. But a used one is cheap and the boat-on-boat racing is great, on my doorstep, or at almost every local club.

You sit out as hard as your fitness and commitment permits. If somebody else is fitter or more committed, you need to be better with shifts, tides, handling or something. That's what OD racing is like in a hiking out boat..

The main negative thing I've noticed sailing the laser on the sea is a feeling that I'm getting very wet for the speed it's doing. But then the RS400 I'm used to is a very dry boat in terms of spray IMHO.

Originally posted by Rupert Yet the Zero is, by yardstick, only about 6% quicker, even with the Laser having got 2% slower over the last 5 years?

Originally posted by Rupert Yet the Zero is, by yardstick, only about 6% quicker, even with the Laser having got 2% slower over the last 5 years?

6% is quite a lot.
You can't odds the basic effect of boat size and rig size.
And if the top laser sailors all got zeroes, I bet the PY would drop.

It was more surprise than anything, certainly not a criticism of the Zero, maybe a small defence of the Laser, which in the real world of club racing does seem to go quite well, despite its faults. I'm sure if all club Laser sailors jumped into Zeros, the handicap would rise...

Looking forward to seeing what the Zero is like at Hunts this weekend, thank you Jeffers!