Getting to grips with the Laser 2

[matrix49A]

Hi Folks I sail a laser 1 can a single person sail a Laser 2 ?

[razerlarf]

Yes, sort of - you need a longer tiller extension to trapeze properly and 3-sailing is very tricky :~

Much more fun two up ;)

[gmcrs2000]

I love my LASER TWO its the best dinghy i've owed so far I am also very thankful the previous owner garaged it for most of its life this certainly prolonged its sailing life . hull no au9807

[masonlovessailing]

its sad that they dont make these boats anymore

[UKLaser2Class]

@masonlovessailing

If you'd really like to buy a new one, then contact Dan at sailboats.co.uk

He's currently assessing the viability of commissioning a short production run :D

[MrLaser2]

@masonlovessailing they do but have to be shiped in from america there are made now by vanguard i bought on last year

[Rocky1397]

yh they are very durable in fact i had a bit of a crash in mine, with a streaker that regardless of being on port kept on sailing and i hit it at speed with my crew up on the trapeze, the streaker had a smashed shroud plate crack gunnels and large damage to the bow and i came out with literally a scratch!!! so yes they are very durable boats as appose to many others such as RS 200's and many other boats, and it should be ok just check for cracked gunnels and other places, indicating, a collision

[gaznjax]

@Rocky1397 I suppose it depends how the boat has been treated but in my experience the Laser 2 is pretty durable and lasts longer than most other boats.

[filmitfilmit]

is laser sailing hard on the lower back?

[razerlarf]

IME, Laser 2 sailing (either helming or crewing) is less hard on the lower back than a Laser 1, as there's (usually) no need for the rapid upper body movements necessary to get a Laser 1 through waves upwind.

On the other hand, it is easier to lift a Laser 1 (!) and, being a relatively compact boat, you do need to be fairly flexible to move around the Laser 2 in comfort. Nothing like the antics needed to tack a Contender, Finn, or Laser 1 though ;)

[joedvs1]

is the laser 2 the same thing as the vanguard 15?

[razerlarf]

NO! In the mid 1990's, Vanguard came out with the Vanguard-15. It's a boat that is extremely similar to the Laser 2 in appearance, but a bit heavier, and with no trapeze or spinnaker. It has a bit more upwind sail area, and w/out trapeze it catered to the post-college-sailing weight tendencies.

HTH

[razerlarf]

Join UK Class Association and get a free rigging video ;)

[PolarisMan1995]

what abuot this boat for a couple of 13/14 year olds?

[razerlarf]

Ideal, provided crew weight is ~18 stone or more. The Laser II was the IYRU Youth Boat for a few years, and has always been a 'youth' boat in the USA.

Go for it :)

[skater11295]

yea ts super fun to sail with 2 teens

[geniennis]

Hi I'm Eugene living in Wexford, Ireland. I just bought a Laser 2 Regatta also and would love to see more tips and advise on rigging and sailing it. Sailed 5 miles out of harbour during the week and got some video of the seals on the sandbanks which I hope to put on youtube soon. Got some gr8 speeds and really had fun with it. As I don't have a spinaker pole I was wondering is it possible to attach the spinaker without the pole? Thanks for the tips.

Cheers

Eugene

[razerlarf]

You do need a spinnaker pole for reaching, and to control the spinnaker on a run. Any aluminium pole not more than 2.5m long and 45mm diameter is 'legal': "The spinnaker pole and fittings attached thereto are unrestricted, except that it shall be made of aluminium alloy, shall not exceed 2.5m overall length including fittings and shall not exceed 45mm in diameter excluding fittings."

[geniennis]

Thanks for the advise

[iluvElishaCuthbert]

im tinkin of buying a laser 2. its only £345 and all it needs is two shrouds. but i am not sure about it. i already hv a laser. do u think it would be worth it? and it would only be about £50 or so 4 shrouds.

so any advise???

[UKLaser2Class]

What's the rest of it like? And what do you want to do with it (e.g. fun or seriously race)?

If you've not raced a 2-hander before, it might be as good as any a place to start, as it rewards good teamwork (conversely, things can go horribly wrong with the spinnaker if you don't work as a team!).

[iluvElishaCuthbert]

yea i hv seen it yet but it supposed to be in good condition. i wouldnt be racing it, just want to break a few things lol

its ok i have sailed as part of a crew for years, so that wouldn t be a problem.

thanks

[milise93]

@iluvElishaCuthbert I just bought a Laser 2 a few weeks ago and finally took her out last night since my exams are almost over. She is incredible fun to sail though I've only had her out in irregular light winds.. So in the "fun" aspect.. they're fantastic. :)

[xxjuicyylicioussxx]

i love sailing my laser 2, but the laser 2 class is dying in Canada, bring it back!!

[bert0082]

This traveller system looks clever,

but what do you do when the breeze picks up and you cant center sheet anymore???

[UKLaser2Class]

Up to the point that your rig is generating too much power you will be using mainsheet tension to control the leach (top batten tell-tale 'breaking' about 50% of the time) with the boom centred.

Once overpowered, start using kicker (vang) to depower (and control the leach): easing the mainsheet now allows the boom to move out sideways to de-power.

[bert0082]

This traveller system looks clever,

but what do you do when the breeze picks up and you cant center sheet anymore???

[HanHorlings]

For those of you who don't want to spend thousands on a 470 (and buy new sails every year), this boat is perfect for you! Same speeds/ handling/ challenge as a 470, but much cheaper.

[gaznjax]

Great Boat, the best value/fun for money boat out there :-)