Choosing a boat: Laser Vortex

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Laser Vortex

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13540
Printed Date: 08 Aug 25 at 7:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Laser Vortex

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Subject: Laser Vortex
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 7:20am

Hello, I'm hoping someone here can help me. I use to sail a lot as a kid, dinghys, multihulls etc but haven't sailed properly for about 10 years. I have just got back into sailing after a long break as my daughter is learning to sail (Pico which we own) but I want to get sailing something a little more interesting without spending a fortune and I dont plan on competing apart from the odd club race. I was looking at Lasers but the money is just too much for me based on a good clean boat (Ireland) and there wasnt much else in the single handed dinghys. I've found a listing on a Vortex that is keenly priced and thought that might be an interesting sail. I've done a bit of research on the Vortex and see there is mixed feelings on the boat. I'm 40, 6'5" and approx 90kg so want to know if this would suit someone of this proportion. I will also be launching this from a slip way into a channelled harbour mouth so want to know how difficult this would be given the fixed rudder and twin centre boards and having to enter/exit from a small concrete ramp basis. Any help would be much appreciated.

Replies:

Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 11:36am

The Vortex is a Marmite boat. But probably a good option for what you describe. i.e mostly a fun boat. Room for your daughter too.

The are fast but stable. A more lively catamaran if you like. They can Pitch Pole if pushed in breeze. Daggerboard Rudder isn't an issue, nether are two plates. They are VERY stable, so plenty of time to deal with stuff.

You are towards the top end at 90kg - to be competitive, but that isn't much of an issue given your criteria. You will go in a blow. (*edit - most Vortex's are sailed at Yorkshire Dales SC, which is a windy venue. A Vortex likes wind).

Are you sailing in Cork? Given the average wind I would say its a pretty good boat for you. You are heavy enough to get used to it without trapezing on a light day, and build up to rock start dad status.

It may not sell quickly if / when you want to get rid. Something to think about.

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http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 2:16pm

Yup, agree with Jack, never sailed one but I know enough people who have. The main criticism was that they got boring off wind so the kite was added. Super stable and the rudder slides up and down like the boards. Pricewise I'd want it at well under £1000.

If it doesn't work out keep your eye open for a Blaze, you'll have to spend a little more but £1200 gets you a decent mk1. Another great boat in a breeze no trapeze and forgiving enough to relearn dinghy skills. Not so stable as a Vortex though.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 2:41pm

Thanks for the reply and that's basically what I thought myself. My only concern was if there was much difficulty in launching/retrieving as it can be rather tricky depending on wind direction to land on the slip cleanly and without smashing into a wall or the ramp itself. I thought this might be exaggerated due to the double dagger board and fixed rudder. Out of curiosity what would you pay for a Vortex with the spinnker setup inc trolley and road trailer. I just want to make sure I dont pay to much for it.

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 2:44pm

Sorry, posted before I saw last comment

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 6:14pm

With the kite they seem to go for around £1000 bottom line. But, look it over and if it's in that region and in decent nick you'll probably get your moneys worth. At that sort of price even taking a severe hit is only going to leave you a few hundred out of pocket. Just for an idea of price there is one on Apollo Duck :-

https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/listings.phtml?cid=106&sti=64" rel="nofollow - https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/listings.phtml?cid=106&sti=64

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 6:39pm

The guy selling the Vortex lost the sails in a house move so I'd need to purchase these, I know the main is around £600 and the kite £550. The boat is on sale for €650 but obviously I wouldn't pay that. Everything else is there and seems to be in good condition for its age. What do you guys think it's worth on that basis. Note it is rigged for the kite.

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 8:47pm

The main wants to be right ideally (right luff, foot and area), replicas are fine but I suspect a rep will cost you at least £500. You could ask the Yorkshire Dales guys if anybody has a spare? The kite is less critical, as long as it's about the right size it'll work fine for blasting (I use an Omega kite on the Spice much of the time when not racing).

If you buy new sails they will increase the value of the boat on resale depending how much use you give them. But a Vortex may not be an especially easy boat to sell when the time comes as they are not a very active class so may not realise it's true worth.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 25 Feb 20 at 9:24pm

I have asked around on the Vortex sites and there is a company licensed to sell official Vortex spares in the UK including sails so I expect it's a genuine sail to spec and no a knock off. I understand it's not ideal but part of the reason the boats for sale and on the cheaper side. I'm not too fussed on its resale as it wont get overly used and if I can just use it for the time I want without spending a fortune on it then that will he good enough for me. If you were buying without sails what would you offer.

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 26 Feb 20 at 12:49am

Being UK based I'd probably be looking for a boat with sails ready to go and expecting to pay no more than £1000 but without the sails you are looking at £1150 for the sails alone so I'm not sure the sums add up. Unless the boat is really tidy and has a good combi trailer then whatever you pay makes it expensive by the time you're bought the new sails. If you could source some cheap used sails then it becomes a different proposition.

But I think it would be a fun boat, it was on my shortlist before I bought the Blaze a couple of years ago and it was a tough choice to make. My monohull background won through in the end (despite 30 years of windsurfing......).

I'm having the same dilemma WRT the Spice, it really needs new sails but, with nobody sailing them I would not be able to sell the sails separately and they wouldn't add enough value to the boat to recover more than a very small percentage of their cost (a full suit costs £1195, the boat is worth, at best, £500 inc combi, one good, original, main and jib and a few other usable sails) even with new sails I doubt she'd fetch more than £1k. Vortex is slightly better prospect except you wouldn't have old sails to sell with the boat so you could sell the newer ones separately to recover some of their value.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 26 Feb 20 at 7:27am

Sam Spoons, have you tried fitting Iso sails? Must still be a few around.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 26 Feb 20 at 9:55am

Yes, but thanks for the though. I'm on the lookout for a replacement ISO main for my current (ex-prototype North) ISO main but The ISO seems to be a declining class too* at the moment and there don't seem to be many decent used sails around. The kite is an issue too as it's about 30% smaller than the Spice kite. If I can find a reasonably priced main I might consider £350 or so for a 'training' kite.

* The Spice is long past the 'declining' stage but still great fun......

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 26 Feb 20 at 8:55pm

Does anybody know or have any contacts with the "Vortex" crew who might have some second hand sails for sale. As above it might be a way I can make the costs work better for me especially on the basis I'm not planning on racing

Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 27 Feb 20 at 5:21pm

Best to contact the Class:

Class Secretary,Andrew Straton, through mailto:membership@sailvortex.org" rel="nofollow - membership@sailvortex.org

https://sailvortex.org

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http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 27 Feb 20 at 5:49pm

Thanks

Posted By: IrishAndrew
Date Posted: 18 Sep 20 at 10:13pm

Hi, I know this has been a while but I finally collected the vortex today as the owner had be very unwell. The boat needs some TLC but I managed to get it for €300. Has anyone got a rigging guide and information on the sheet/rope lengths for each section as most are well passed their use by date and I believe some maybe missing. Any help appreciated