35 replies to this topic

[m60lmg]

Currently I have an 08 laser and while I really enjoy sailing it I am thinking of trying something else or downgrading to an older laser. I haven't raced it in a couple years so rather than keep my pristine laser I think I would like to downgrade to something cheaper that I wont have to worry about as much(something I could haul up on the beach). I am looking for something similar to the laser as I do enjoy smaller boats and simple rigging. The only things I dont like about the laser are that it is uncomfortable to hike on and does not have much room if I want to bring someone with me.



Here are a couple boats I have been considering. I don't know much about these as I have never sailed them so I am open to any suggestions/opinions. Any other boats I should be considering?

Zuma: I really like the looks of this boat, it has room for extra passengers and room under the front deck for me to add a storage compartment. Only downside I can see is that it is a bit under powered so I might have to spend some money and get a turbo sail(saw someone on here did it).
My link

Force-5: Also looks like a neat boat similar to the laser and maybe a bit easier to hike on. Probably the least expensive option I have seen.
My link


MegaByte: Looks like the perfect boat for me but unfortunately I have never seen one for sale in New England. Didnt even know about them until I joined here.

[BalticBandit]

Currently I have an 08 laser and while I really enjoy sailing it I am thinking of trying something else or downgrading to an older laser. I haven't raced it in a couple years so rather than keep my pristine laser I think I would like to downgrade to something cheaper that I wont have to worry about as much(something I could haul up on the beach). I am looking for something similar to the laser as I do enjoy smaller boats and simple rigging. The only things I dont like about the laser are that it is uncomfortable to hike on and does not have much room if I want to bring someone with me.



Here are a couple boats I have been considering. I don't know much about these as I have never sailed them so I am open to any suggestions/opinions. Any other boats I should be considering?

Zuma: I really like the looks of this boat, it has room for extra passengers and room under the front deck for me to add a storage compartment. Only downside I can see is that it is a bit under powered so I might have to spend some money and get a turbo sail(saw someone on here did it).
My link

Force-5: Also looks like a neat boat similar to the laser and maybe a bit easier to hike on. Probably the least expensive option I have seen.
My link


MegaByte: Looks like the perfect boat for me but unfortunately I have never seen one for sale in New England. Didnt even know about them until I joined here.

Forec 5s are great. A bit heavier than a Laser, but also means they have room to take a friend along.

[ARNOLD]

If you can find one, a Cyclone. Looks like a force 5 on steroids. Light air not as good as a Laser, but lots of storage, good for two up and good performance when there is + 8 kts. Should find one for less than a grand. Weighs about 160lbs.

[bsainsbury]

I'll trade you my international 420. Quick boat. Spinnaker. Trap. I don't use her enough. Need something I can sail myself.

[simbert]

Europe Dinghy!

[DRIFTW00D]

Penguin

[Amati]

Force 5. Nice boat, good sail controls, comfy.

[torrid]

If you're a bigger guy but not necessarily Finn-sized, definitely a Force 5.

[Gouvernail]

There are over 20,000 of this hull out there somewhere

[leadminer]

RS Quba

[VwaP]

[mezaire]

Build one of these

[BobBill]

Build one of these

Do not forget the Streaker, as long as we are looking at boats from under...both have stayed masts...little more complicated.

Take it in Cape Cod you sail off beach???

The Laser is not really a well built boat.

The Force 5 is and is excellent choice, somewhat more complicated, you wish to sail close to water and race on occasion, and can be found used at low cost..

Not to go unmentioned would be the wondrous M16, a substantial boat that also can be located used and at low cost in Midwest especially but not a beach boat.

The old Banshee, much like the Streaker and Sabre above, built on low free board FJ lines and very simple, but old and not raced.

Then, of course, the dark side: Weta fits and a tacking proa type or outrigger, to add multis to the mix, and are the best all around fun to me...but not much racing there. Unstayed masts usually mean simple but many stay small rigs are super fun. Simple generally means fun...unless you race much, then life becomes convoluted.

There is one really fun boat from SA, the Ninja, but is not market here, yet...comes boxed.

None of the boats pictured below are in production. Banshee, outrigger and Kite. Great boats that did not keep up. The little Kite is my personal fave, but going dark soon, to a less complicated version of the nifty Dragonfly pic.

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[eliboat]

That streaker looks like a lot of fun I have to say.

[Gouvernail]

This explains a lot about your recent posts

[NorCalLaser]

Downgrade to an older laser? Why not just take up golf?

[m60lmg]

Europe Dinghy!

Really like the looks of this boat. Never seen one but I will keep my eyes peeled. Any good places to look for boats other than Craigslist?

If you're a bigger guy but not necessarily Finn-sized, definitely a Force 5.

5'9 165lbs. Hope the Force-5 is not too much sail for me.

Build one of these

Hmmm intriguing. I am pretty handy with wood working.




I also came across this boat called a Hobie Holder 12. It is not exactly what I am looking for as it is very small and lacks any spots for me to add a storage hatch but for $250(missing rudder/daggerboard) I might have to check it out.

[BobBill]

This explains a lot about your recent posts

Snarky call, I'd say :] Sitting in warm p or beer...beats Laser for lots. Imagine a breeze kicking. And people wonder why sailing is not growing by leaps and bounds?

Lad, find or build an outrigger and forgetaboutit.

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[Slipstream]

If you don't like hiking let the sail out and sail lower angles or pinch more. Unless you're racing, the better you get the easier it is to sail. If you want a shit kicker that you can haul up the beach, then yes, sell that '08 to someone who will take care of it and find an old beater. Good luck!

[BobBill]

If you don't like hiking let the sail out and sail lower angles or pinch more. Unless you're racing, the better you get the easier it is to sail. If you want a shit kicker that you can haul up the beach, then yes, sell that '08 to someone who will take care of it and find an old beater. Good luck!

You really believe a 08 Laser is worth it? Not full of bubbles, bent spars and step cracks?

[Slipstream]

1344684324[/url]' post='3821239']

1344657080[/url]' post='3821054']
If you don't like hiking let the sail out and sail lower angles or pinch more. Unless you're racing, the better you get the easier it is to sail. If you want a shit kicker that you can haul up the beach, then yes, sell that '08 to someone who will take care of it and find an old beater. Good luck!

You really believe a 08 Laser is worth it? Not full of bubbles, bent spars and step cracks?

Well he said it was in pristine condition, if that's the case then I think it's worth it... Sell it while there's some resale value, buy an old bucket and keep the change. There comes a point where an old laser doesn't depreciate much further.

[BobBill]

If you don't like hiking let the sail out and sail lower angles or pinch more. Unless you're racing, the better you get the easier it is to sail. If you want a shit kicker that you can haul up the beach, then yes, sell that '08 to someone who will take care of it and find an old beater. Good luck!

You really believe a 08 Laser is worth it? Not full of bubbles, bent spars and step cracks?

Well he said it was in pristine condition, if that's the case then I think it's worth it... Sell it while there's some resale value, buy an old bucket and keep the change. There comes a point where an old laser doesn't depreciate much further.

+ to that! But I would really buy or build an outrigger type fun boat...so easy, so versatile, if a casual swab. One big enough to handle a cooler and some minimal suits.

[Wavedancer II]

Big Fish

http://www.yachtworl...A/United-States

[JasCooper]

There's a reason old beaters are cheap. Do you really want to sacrifice a nice model (and yes you will take a hit) only to watch other Lasers pass you by and leaving you wishing you had your nice Laser back realizing it is not that big a deal to keep up.

If you really want an old boat I have a c. 1960 Sunfish in PA you can come haul away.

[dirtstar1]

[dirtstar1]

Notice the sail plan is high, I put a mast extension in it for day sailing with my girlfriend. Then when it's nuking out lower down the sail plan and hike out. The high sides are really nice in big chop and surfing down the face of large swells. It's not uncommon for us to head out up the coast in blue water.

[Poida]

Er, anything is better than a Laser

[Mavrick]

Impulse Dinghy?

[BobBill]

Milk cartons...this thread still going? Egad.

[m60lmg]

Sooo many good options, none of which I can find for sale in New England. I really like the looks of the Force 5 but at 165lbs I think it will be too much sail for me. Dirtstar1 mentioned something about a high sail plan that might help but I am not sure I follow. I like the looks of the Impulse Dinghy, might just have to build one. There seem to be a few Hobie Holder 12s for sale in my area for cheap and they would certainly be a better option for two sailors due to the open cockpit.

Although this is not the most exciting looking boat it does look like the ultimate beach banger. Think this boat can move at all or would it bore me to death? I dont have any experience with sunfish type boats/sails.

[USA190520]

Downgrade to an older laser? Why not just take up golf?

Cause there are more holes in an old laser...

[USA190520]

I'll sell you my stealth... Not great for 2 up, or off a beach with surf but.... It is fun.

I want an old 29er or a swift or musto... Can't afford the latter so I'm looking into single handing a 29er...

Hiking finally got my back... It's time to evolve..

[bruno]

I have known Holders to point less well than a beatle cat

[m60lmg]

So I ended up buying the Howmar 12 with the sunfish style sail. Its a neat little boat and the hull reminds me of a shortened 420. Going to take it out for a sail in the next couple of day and hopefully it will provide enough excitement to convince me to sell my Laser. The guy also had a Laser II expedition with a basketball sized hole on the port side of the inner wall that he said he would basically give me for free. Might be a fun winter project. They any fun to sail or do they suffer from the same problems old "regular" Lasers suffer from, soft hull, delamination ect?

I have known Holders to point less well than a beatle cat

I used to sail beatle cats... never again.

[bluelaser2]

An Expedition 14.5 with a turbo sail is a suberb all around boat- planes fast, carries a ton, goes in shallow water, super fast to rig, comfy, Bethwaite pedigree......they only built 100 so hard to find, but worth the search.....

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[jwlbrace]

I've just ordered a Solo dinghy- it's more expensive than a Laser new, but has plenty of beaters out there for £500. It has more string to pull and some say it's more technical. It's rated quite a bit slower than a Laser on the Portsmouth Yardstick, but frankly the point of owning one is not to worry about PY and handicaps.

Either way it was the only option around my local clubs for proper fleet racing other than a Laser, so I'm grateful at least to have a choice: