Dinghy development: What's my Laser Sail Number?

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What's my Laser Sail Number?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13279
Printed Date: 30 Jun 25 at 8:36am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: What's my Laser Sail Number?

Posted By: GarethT
Subject: What's my Laser Sail Number?
Date Posted: 10 Mar 19 at 3:28pm

I've got an oldish Laser that came with a 2nd hand sail with a different number. I'm about to sell it, so want to know the real number.

The plaque on the back of the cockpit has 20275 on it, but if that is the number it would date the boat as mid 70s, which I don't believe.

It has JDF14 stamped under the bow eye.

Given the colour scheme, light blue hull and white (not cream) deck, and its condition, I would presume it is in the range 120k to 140k. I can't see a number on the transom, but will have another look.

Thanks for any helpful insights.

Replies:

Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 10 Mar 19 at 3:56pm

Really old Lasers used to come in a variety of single tone hull colours such as magnolia, red, orange, yellow, slime green, and blue. Later boats (ie 80s/90s) were often dual tone, eg black/white, with most newer boats tending to be that boring dawn grey, or off white. I think there is a good chance you have a nice but old 70s boat, a 20k hull number (and I can' recall seeing hull numbers anywhere than under the bow eye or on a plate the back of the cockpit) would indeed be around mid 70s. A pal of mine bought a 17k boat around 1974, from memory. if its got wooden grab handles in the cockpit that would also tend to date it to the 70s.

Posted By: GarethT
Date Posted: 10 Mar 19 at 4:02pm

Plastic grab handles, and the same logos in the cockpit that my dad's 133k had.

The old ones didn't have white decks. That's what makes me think its newer.

Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 10 Mar 19 at 4:10pm

The early Lasers <100,000ish had the number moulded under the bow eye. The metal cockpit plaque was used for Lasers circa 100,000 to 149,000ish when it was replaced with a hologrammed sticker. The colour scheme of the boat is also consistent with circa 120,000 - I had 120,534 the same.
The simple answer to your question is 120,275. If you check out any metal plaqued boat, you may or may not see a pre-printed number 1 in front of the next 5 digits which were stamped into the metal. Over time the print can be obscured or worn away. If you look carefully you may still see evidence of it. QED

Posted By: GarethT
Date Posted: 10 Mar 19 at 4:50pm

Perfect! Thanks

Posted By: deadrock
Date Posted: 12 Mar 19 at 11:21pm

As a Laser ex-Measurer I can confirm AndyMac's second paragraph. On the basis of a 120k hull that would place the original boat to about 1982-3.

Gareth, it's good of you to make the effort to find out the original boat number before selling. Many sellers don't, and I've had several awkward conversations with new buyers who had taken a much newer sail number to be the boat number. If you're ever thinking of buying an old Laser, take along a knowledgeable Laser sailor to check it out with you.