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The future of the “Laser” (ILCA)
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andyk View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote andyk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: The future of the “Laser” (ILCA)
    Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 12:10pm
Now the boat has been chosen for the Olympics until 2024, I just wonder if this is the opportunity to tie up the next few Olympics as well. They have time on their side.
The rig has to all intents and purposes, been pretty well sorted, especially if the spars are changed to carbon.
It is time to sort out the deck moulding. Most of us find the deck and cockpit area simply very uncomfortable, in my case to the point of changing class.
Several of our established classes have successfully brought themselves into the 21st century by doing exactly this.
Any ideas anyone?
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 1:07pm
I think top priority at the moment will be to get builders for the current boat sorted out...
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 3:26pm
Originally posted by andyk


It is time to sort out the deck moulding. Most of us find the deck and cockpit area simply very uncomfortable, in my case to the point of changing class.

I don't own a Laser and that was a major factor affecting the decision for me too. But I think if they do make major changes to the deck layout thet will go agains the strict one design ethos and is bound to alienate a considerable number of existing Laser sailors. And it won't persuade me to return as I am happy with the Blaze.
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tink View Drop Down
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Posts: 789 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tink Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 8:33pm
The only reason the Laser still exists is that is historical numbers and as close to one design as a reasonable budget will buy you. Any major changes will destroy the class. Only change required is a simple vac form moulding to stop the mainsheet snagging the corner is, sub £1 to produce so £25 retail but everyone would buy. 

The fact that far from Olympic athletes weekend warriors come back weekend after weekend and enjoy the laser shows the appeal of a less than perfect but perfectly good design. 
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 9:10pm
It's a good hull let down by it's 'beach boat' original concept and a too strict adherence to the one design principle. A better deck layout and some freedom of fittings to allow us short 4rses to tailor the ergonomics to our stature would have made a huge difference.
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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: 30 Sep 19 at 8:10am
Originally posted by andyk

Now the boat has been chosen for the Olympics until 2024, I just wonder if this is the opportunity to tie up the next few Olympics as well. They have time on their side.
The rig has to all intents and purposes, been pretty well sorted, especially if the spars are changed to carbon.
It is time to sort out the deck moulding. Most of us find the deck and cockpit area simply very uncomfortable, in my case to the point of changing class.
Several of our established classes have successfully brought themselves into the 21st century by doing exactly this.
Any ideas anyone?


You know the new all carbon rigs are not intended for adoption to replace any of the current rigs right? Plus there is the fight between LP and PSA for carbon rig supremacy as both have produced options.

The Laser/ILCA dinghy is as current with the ali bottom section and boom and carbon (or ali) top section.


Edited by jeffers - 30 Sep 19 at 8:13am
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getafix View Drop Down
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Posts: 2143 		Post Options Post Options   Quote getafix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 8:27am
Originally posted by jeffers

Originally posted by andyk

Now the boat has been chosen for the Olympics until 2024, I just wonder if this is the opportunity to tie up the next few Olympics as well. They have time on their side.
The rig has to all intents and purposes, been pretty well sorted, especially if the spars are changed to carbon.
It is time to sort out the deck moulding. Most of us find the deck and cockpit area simply very uncomfortable, in my case to the point of changing class.
Several of our established classes have successfully brought themselves into the 21st century by doing exactly this.
Any ideas anyone?


You know the new all carbon rigs are not intended for adoption to replace any of the current rigs right? Plus there is the fight between LP and PSA for carbon rig supremacy as both have produced options.

The Laser/ILCA dinghy is as current with the ali bottom section and boom and carbon (or ali) top section.

....and the crappy deck layout and awful (antiquated) rudder.  Why change it when ready made 'better' alternatives are already out there with modern construction?
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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 8:28am
Is it just coincidence that two of the most popular uk singlehanders are wrangling over design and build changes? Is it the sales of some of the new designs just causing panic?
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Mark Aged 42 View Drop Down
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Posts: 98 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Mark Aged 42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 9:31am
I think in the case of the Laser (which I race at club level), its a case of comparing our low value for money and rubbish rigs with the sophisticated rigs on all the other competitors.
And in the case of the Solo (which I race against a lot), its a case of the aging demographic wanting a bit more comfort in their old age.
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CT249 View Drop Down
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Posts: 399 		Post Options Post Options   Quote CT249 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 10:03am
Originally posted by tink

The only reason the Laser still exists is that is historical numbers and as close to one design as a reasonable budget will buy you. Any major changes will destroy the class. Only change required is a simple vac form moulding to stop the mainsheet snagging the corner is, sub £1 to produce so £25 retail but everyone would buy. 

The fact that far from Olympic athletes weekend warriors come back weekend after weekend and enjoy the laser shows the appeal of a less than perfect but perfectly good design. 

It's better in quite a few objective terms than many other boats that have survived, so while the current numbers are a major strength they are not the boat's only reason for existence.
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