Getting to grips with the Laser 2

The Laser 2 is an exciting, ISAF recognised, International One Design racing dinghy which is ideal for couples and lighter weight crews (less than 150kg total). The combination of a trapeze for the crew and a large spinnaker ensures exciting sailing. With a tough hull, it works well off any beach, and the traditional spinnaker gives greater flexibility of racing venues and courses than is found with the newer asymmetric dinghies. Nationally there is a friendly fleet and well-established, active UK and International class associations. It can be bought new for around £5000, whilst championship condition second hand boats sell for upwards of £1000.
More information can be found at:
www.lasersailing.com/disp/uk/laser-2/introduction and www.laser2sailing.org.uk

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Laser2
• Laser
• II
• LaserII
• Water
• Sport
• racing
• dinghy
• trapeze
• spinnaker

[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

[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!).

[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.

[razerlarf]

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

Much more fun two up ;)

[matrix49A]

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

[MrLaser2]

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

[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

[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.

[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. :)