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Buying a laser |
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Paul k
Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
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Topic: Buying a laser Posted: 10 May 05 at 10:43am |
My brother has just sold his byte and is looking to get a laser radial, he`s got about £1500 - £2000 can he get anything decent for this price? are there any specific laser traits to look out for? Forgot to mention the boat must be competitive as possible as it will be used for racing
Many thanks
Paul
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Noble Marine
Posting king Joined: 09 May 05 Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 126 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 11:08am |
I am sure that he can get a great boat for that budget. The beauty of the laser is that there are so many of them for sale to meet all budgets and all should be competative (with the right helmsman ).
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Stefan Lloyd
Really should get out more Joined: 03 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1599 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 12:13pm |
I've never owned a Laser myself but I'm told the hole in the deck the mast goes into is a weak point, especially right at the bottom. Also, not sure if Radials are different, but standard Laser sails don't last in top racing condition very long, so a boat with a recent sail would be worth paying a little extra for.
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Noble Marine
Posting king Joined: 09 May 05 Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 126 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 1:05pm |
The mast post is certainly an area to be checked carefully. The older Lasers, sail numbers pre 100000 had a plywood block securing the base of the mast post. In time, this plywood can rot, the mast post fail and the deck of the boat will rip out. However there are things that can be done to secure this block before failure occurs. The Laser Centre or other reputable repairers will know what to look for and can advise. The other problem with the mast post can occur (in boats of any age) if sand dirt and other grit is allowed to accumulate in the mast post. When you sail, this grit will grind the base away, resulting in a hole at the bottom of the mast post and ultimate failure of the deck. For the budget, you should be able to buy a reasonable boat and still have some money left over to upgrade to a new sail and remain competative. There are a number of boats listed in the classified section of the Y&Y site - Click here for some examples. |
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Paul k
Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 1:42pm |
Thanks for all the help, ive had a look on the classifieds sections, is it worth going for as high a sail number as i can afford and then upgrade with time? I didnt realise boats pre 100000 had potential problems with the hole in the deck, are there any other problems with the decks to look out for on newer boats? Is the mast prone to bending? Sorry for the twenty questions but ive never owned a laser before |
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Phil eltringham
Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: England/Hitchin Online Status: Offline Posts: 1105 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 2:04pm |
Essestially you are right, get the newest boat you can for the money, but consider the use it has had. Some very new cheap boats will have been sailed hard, a slightly older one may actually be in better condition. Also consider how many rigs you want, and look at the condition of the sail. Speak to people you know who have bought lasers second hand, take someone who really knows the boat with you if you can when you look at a boat. Also rememebr that just because you have gone to see a boat you do not have to buy it. Be prepared to say no, and dont for get to haggle, people always advertise boats for more than they expext to get!! hope this helps |
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FLAT IS FAST!
Shifts Happen |
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NickA
Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 783 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 9:18pm |
For £2300 you can get a top notch radial with XD carbon knobs on. Maybe better to get a slightly cheaper one and get a new sail to go with. Spend less than £2k and you get something good to practice in but it won't win anything. Old lasers are slow, old sails are slower and racers always have expensive new kit ("one design" maybe, "one budget" not). Some people get a new sail twice a year - so a fairly recent numbered (170600+) used but hardly worn sail (about £300 from rooster) is not a bad thing to get. Laser's new sails being horribly overpriced. |
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jack Mills
Newbie Joined: 31 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 9 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 9:59pm |
Im sorry but i totally disagree with that, my laser is number 80841 and i find i can stay at the front of the fleet quite easily. If i was racing internationally then maby a newer boat would go better but for club and open meeting racing iv never had a problem. |
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stuarthop
Really should get out more Joined: 22 Dec 04 Location: Nottingham Online Status: Offline Posts: 1040 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 May 05 at 10:52pm |
old boats are very slow in the laser fleet as if they have been kept outside they lose thier stiffness and are very slow in waves. Yes the masts bend but every boat in the fleet has this problem when i was racing mine i bent the top section every time i sailed you just bend it back again when you get off the water. Ideally you want a boat sail number post 170000. you should be able to get a good one in this age range with all the xd kit and carbon tiller/ extension try and get a kiwi carbon tiller if you can instead of a rooser or laser centre one as they are far better. Rooster carbon extensions are the best. Hope this helps |
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Mike278
Far too distracted from work Joined: 09 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 256 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 05 at 12:32am |
I sail laser 68710, bought 4 years ago for £475, and i can still win club races easily enough (despite the leaks, and damaged sail), in anything above a force 3. If you want to be competative at national or international level, then get the newest boat you can afford.
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Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
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