Composite laser mast released

Jim et al

Laser, with their 'superior' strategy, have lost more potential sales in recent years than most classes have ever sold in the first place !  (I don't think most other classes are even on their radar either frankly).  Surely that is the real elephant in the room. 

A chunk of that may well be down to the 'messages' they have given out to the world via legal disputes etc in the last decade or so.  Maybe some of that was unavoidable.  Another part is as a result of holding 'true' to the product concept that is now arguably decades beyond its sell by date .... Extending the product line forward will not happen without some specification change to the product offering - but it just all looks a bit 'too little' and almost 'too late'.  

There is no doubt 'Laser' actually think some changes are needed - they have already undermined the 'totally unchanging' concept themselves. (The 'composite' mast being just the latest mod of several in recent years).   But will the market lap it up or just nod out of passing interest and move on ...?.  

The question I would ask - would you today as a hypothetical supplier rather be building up Aero sales or attempting to limit the decline of Laser's 'historical' position.   They are opposite ends of their product life-cycles.   I'm betting 'Laser' are still well ahead on unit sales and overall margin - at the moment ... but there is more and more writing on the walls.   I'd be looking over my shoulder.


Edited by Cirrus - 07 Dec 16 at 12:41pm

Get ready for a whole new level of cheating as masts are sanded down, built up or swapped for lighter replica ones with different bend characteristics.

Laser, with their 'superior' strategy, have lost more potential sales in recent years than most classes have ever sold in the first place !

I am inclined to be iGRF "light" on this one.

Originally posted by RS400atC Originally posted by iGRF Which ever way you cut it, as I said on facebook, you're all being conned by that ludicrous price, if it is as rumoured in excess of £500 which in the windsurfing race market which is arguably a lower volume arena, a full carbon full length 570 two piece mast with a couple of margins in it retails for less. Then again a performance mast suitable for a beach toy such as the support of the top section of a 7 metre sail with minimal luff curve, can be half that and with two margins, where Laser only has the one. Y'all are about to be ripped off, so good luck to the replica market I say, who's going to tell under that luff sleeve? £500 would be taking the mick. But I suppose they'll stop making the ali ones and Noble will have to cough up? By the way who mentioned carbon? Composite probably means grp. Maybe it'll be like the early 'composite' bowsprits on 400's, suddenly a rush on used metal ones.....