A topper comes a close second, and I like sailing pretty much anything so long as I can sail it single handed...course when I'm teaching I'll use something like a Bosun but they're just so cumbersome and you really have to try hard to get them over for capsize drills, or just to scare your sailing students into listening to you ::Grins evilly:: No give me a nice small boat that's easy enough to handle and I'll be happy for ages, whether I'm sailing off or onshore if I can get up a good speed and not have to rely on anyone else, preferably with no foolish people who crash into your boat whilst you are in the middle of a jibe...and being out on the water is bliss.
The trusty Laser, can be a bit of a handful if you're as light as me and the wind gets up but then I learnt how to dry capsize years ago so I'm not really too bothered. I'm not sure if I really like to race or not, I have raced several times in the past and normally come high up the local rankings and quite often win all my heats but I just find it
dull being stuck in one course all the time...don't ask me why I'm usually very competitive but sailing is different. I still like to watch the races though, some of the best I've seen have been off the coast of the Isle of Widget...oh all right the Isle of Wight, but there are some great races to be had just off the shore of Gibraltar, and even some small lakes in Germany and The Netherlands have their day...I think one of the stranges places I've ever sailed has to be the Möhnesee, the wind there can suddenly spring up from the dam and you can see all the other boats capsizing as it rushes towards you at the other end of the lake, that's when they aren't draining the lake and the channels are changing causing people to become stuck on top of the old church spire...
These boats have an overall length of 4.23m but their waterline length is only 3.81m, they have a 1.37m to 1.42m beam an d weigh in at 57.6kg. You can use several different types of sail on a Laser, the standard sail covers a 7.06m squared area whilst the Laser Radial has only 5.72m squared and the Laser 4.7 sail has even less with 4.70m squared surface area, the smaller sails allow lighter people to handle the boat in a good wind . The mast is in two pieces and I know some people who have trouble fitting the mast, it can be considered quite heavy by people like my mum and my sister who always need help with it. The boat can stay afloat with up to 158.7kg so it should hold pretty much anyone really and even though it is only a single manned boat you can put another person on the prow and even have someone sitting in with you…it’s not recommended but it has been done.
Due to the Laser’s versatility, low price, and easy handling it has become one of the most popular small dinghies and racing class. There are many races scheduled during the World sailing calendar and the largest of these have information on websites such as the International Laser Class Association found at http://www.laserinternational.org It has also become the Olympic high performance dinghy class, a long way from its first inception by designer Bruce Kirby in 1970.
A relatively new addition to this class of boat is the Laser Pico, designed by Jo Richards in 1995 it is constructed of different material to the original laser. It makes a brilliant alternative to the original for children or the lighter sailor and is a perfect choice for the beginner to sailing. The sail can even be reefed whilst you’re on the water making it a good choice if the weather is unsettled and you find yourself getting into difficulties. Whilst this isn’t a boat I’d recommend to good sailors it should be good if you’re in the beginner to Level 3 range.
I won’t go into all the different boats here, if you want to know more try looking at the laser sailing website http://www.lasersailing .com I will however still mention the Laser 2. This boat was designed in 1980 by Frank Bethwaite and is bigger, but not much bigger, which isn’t surprising as it is meant for two people to sail. It has the possibility of using a spinnaker as well as the main sail and jib which is great when you’re in a good wind. There is a trapeze for use of the crew person so that you can be that much more helpful in balancing the boat. This variation on the Laser is fun as well, especially in high winds whilst you try and keep it upright leaning out on the trapeze and then the wind gusts in the other direction so your down in the water...
Yup I definitely like Lasers, and any events scheduled around them...fun to sail, enjoyable to watch and if you feel so inclined there are always places to go and race as there are so many people in so many clubs all passionate about the Laser class.
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Jun 16th, 2003
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