Why does the Laser exist?

   There were a lot of one shop one designs back then, each little builder tried to develop their own in the hope that it would take off and they'd get rich. That's why there were so many more different classes back then. Boats like the Firefly, the Gull etc were all effectively single manufacturer one designs, and even single supply sails weren't unknown.

What was new about the Laser, I think, was the complete ban on altering the boat at all to suit the sailor, so you didn't have to think about the boat from one week to the next, just, as you say, turn up and go sailing. 

Its interesting that has been lost of recent years, and whilst all the changes and options look like improvements on the surface, they have tended to subtract from the basic turn up and sail simplicity.

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JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6337	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Dec 19 at 11:18am
	There were a lot of one shop one designs back then, each little builder tried to develop their own in the hope that it would take off and they'd get rich. That's why there were so many more different classes back then. Boats like the Firefly, the Gull etc were all effectively single manufacturer one designs, and even single supply sails weren't unknown. What was new about the Laser, I think, was the complete ban on altering the boat at all to suit the sailor, so you didn't have to think about the boat from one week to the next, just, as you say, turn up and go sailing. Its interesting that has been lost of recent years, and whilst all the changes and options look like improvements on the surface, they have tended to subtract from the basic turn up and sail simplicity.

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 2847	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Dec 19 at 11:02am
	It was a completely new marketing paradigm at least as far as the dinghy world was concerned. All those others with the possible exception of the Sunfish (which I know little about) were 'normal' One Designs (was the Canoe a One Design hull by then?) with a variety of builders and sailmakers for each. The Laser was a one stop shop and, by design, they were all identical. No need to decide who made the fastest hull or sail just buy the package and go sailing. Edited by Sam.Spoons - 16 Dec 19 at 11:06am
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Mark Aged 42 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 24 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark Aged 42 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Dec 19 at 10:10am
	Don't get me wrong, I love mine, but while sitting around at the weekend waiting for the wind to drop, I got to wondering about the birth of the Laser. At its inception, by my reckoning, available single handers included: Finn Solo Europe OK Moth Contender Canoe Streaker Sunfish Minisail Surely there was something for everybody in that list. So how did the Laser muscle in so successfully?