Got a Lazer (sailboat)

[Oogly50]

Yes, I finally got a Lazer.  Not a lazer 'beam', but a lazer boat. 

One of the kids in my sailing class has a father who didn't want his lazer any more.  So he said we could borrow it for the summer.  (He just wants to get rid of it... he doesnt care how much he gets for it)

Well, we can see why he didn't want it anymore...  The second we saw it, it was covered in Moss, and everything was all stinky 

So we took it home, and used a Pressure Washer to take off all the moss and dirt...  Now it looks brand new.  So we decided to try and rig the mast.  We got it to stand up straight, but one of the things the mast connects to is bent out of shape.  It doesn't effect anything, but it looks a little bad.  We're pretty sure that it's connected and put together correctly.  However, we see a few things that are left out, like a hook, and a few little holes. 

The thing is, this Lazer is supposed to have a Jib (I think that's what they're called) Which is a smaller sail that goes in front of the main sail.  We don't have the main sail OR the Jib.  They're at the place we got the boat from, we're going back tomorrow to get the sail(s) 

We dunno how to put that either though...  So, I guess we'll figure it out.

I'll have pictures later. 

[Curval]

LOL!!!

I forsee another Nilsen type incident coming.  At least you'll be going slower...although lazers can go pretty quick in good wind.

...and yea...you'll need those sails.

lol

[Oogly50]

Well I already know how to sail... Infact, I'm participating in an enormous Opti regatta this wednsday on Lake Geneva.

Supposed to be 500+ Opti's alone... around 40 different countries being represented, and the top 10 go to junior olympics.   

[Maverick]

Do a google search on the boat. You should be able to find some info on how it's supposed to be rigged and how the hardware is supposed to be mounted. I'd imagine there are more than a couple clubs dedicated to the little guys. Have fun with it.

I learned to sail small boats here at Ft. Lewis on American Lake. I was hoping to do it again here but they did away with all of the small sail boats several years ago. Darn and that was one of my better memories of the time I spent on post too.

[lasersailor184]

I am intimately familiar with Lasers (with an S).  Its where my name comes from.  Until you learn what the names are, you can go here: http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d90000/e87207.asp to tell us which parts are wrong.


Laser equipment is moderately over priced due to the strict one design nature and the monopoly Vanguard (Laser Performance) has over the stuff.  However, there are so many lasers you probably wouldn't have a problem finding spare parts from someone.

[lasersailor184]

Yes, I finally got a Lazer.  Not a lazer 'beam', but a lazer boat. 

One of the kids in my sailing class has a father who didn't want his lazer any more.  So he said we could borrow it for the summer.  (He just wants to get rid of it... he doesnt care how much he gets for it)

Well, we can see why he didn't want it anymore...  The second we saw it, it was covered in Moss, and everything was all stinky 

So we took it home, and used a Pressure Washer to take off all the moss and dirt...  Now it looks brand new.  So we decided to try and rig the mast.  We got it to stand up straight, but one of the things the mast connects to is bent out of shape.  It doesn't effect anything, but it looks a little bad.  We're pretty sure that it's connected and put together correctly.  However, we see a few things that are left out, like a hook, and a few little holes. 

The thing is, this Lazer is supposed to have a Jib (I think that's what they're called) Which is a smaller sail that goes in front of the main sail.  We don't have the main sail OR the Jib.  They're at the place we got the boat from, we're going back tomorrow to get the sail(s) 

We dunno how to put that either though...  So, I guess we'll figure it out.

I'll have pictures later. 

Oh, and Lasers are NOT supposed to have a jib. 

Unless you see wires to hold the mast up, the mast slips into the hole in the deck.  Get some pictures uploaded.  I'm very familiar with them.

[MiloMorai]

If it has a jib it is a Laser 2.

http://www.theboathouse.biz/boat_vanguard_laser2.asp

Have had one for 15years. Lots of fun.

[Halo]

Small boat sailing is tons of fun.  Windsurfers too.  Kitesurfers too, but I'm too lazy to try that. 

[Masherbrum]

LOL!!!

I forsee another Nilsen type incident coming.  At least you'll be going slower...although lazers can go pretty quick in good wind.

...and yea...you'll need those sails.

lol

Nilsen's thread was classic.   Just watch out for the sandbars Oogly!!

[Oogly50]

PICTURE TIME.   

Lazer Sailer, here is a photo of the Mast



It has 3 ropes.  One attaches to a little ring on the nose, another on the right side, and then another on the left side, which attach to the side of the boat. 

This is what the boat looked like before we got done with it.


This is after we fixed 'er up.


Another pic of the mast



And then the sail boat all in all (Horrible paint job, we'll be getting Nautical paint)

[lasersailor184]

If it has a jib it is a Laser 2.

http://www.theboathouse.biz/boat_vanguard_laser2.asp

Have had one for 15years. Lots of fun.

The Laser 2.  The greatest 2 person dinghy that never really happened.  My favorite boat in the world.


You still have it?

[Oogly50]

Well, the person giving us the lazer says it is 2 person... 

[lasersailor184]

PICTURE TIME.   

Lazer Sailer, here is a photo of the Mast



It has 3 ropes.  One attaches to a little ring on the nose, another on the right side, and then another on the left side, which attach to the side of the boat. 

This is what the boat looked like before we got done with it.


This is after we fixed 'er up.


Another pic of the mast



And then the sail boat all in all (Horrible paint job, we'll be getting Nautical paint)

http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d93000/e92730.asp

Yup, it's a Laser 2.  It really is my most favorite boat in the world.  I kick myself almost every night for allowing mine to be sold off when I left for college.  Here are some more links:

http://www.laser2sailing.org/

Is this a launcher boat?  Depending on the year it was made, it might have a tube from the port bow deck, to the port side of the cockpit.  This was used for launching and collecting the spinnaker VERY easily.  If it isn't, you can easily make a launching bag to be fitted on the deck.  But this is probably getting ahead of yourself.

You might be able to pick up a set of sails here:

http://www.laserperformance.com/main/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=show_category&catid=32&text_search=&order=0&expand=0&Itemid=378
http://www.laserforum.org/

There used to be a decent amount of stuff at www.teamvanguard.com .  However, the european manufacturer of the Laser (laser performance) bought them out and practically stopped supporting the Laser 2 in anyway.  Extremely unfortunate, but with the state of affairs, about due.


Anyway, the Laser 2.  It's a 2 person dinghy with better performance than most anything else a casual sailor can get their hands on.  It has an extremely well shaped hull by the famous Frank Bethwaite.  It has a trapeze.  This is a set of wires that come off the mast to the deck on each side which the crew (forward sailor) hooks a harness onto and stands out on the edge with.

http://www.laser2sailing.org/3com10.jpg

It also has a spinnaker.  All of these combined give you a well performing boat.  Should be a lot of fun.

[lasersailor184]

Taking a look at the pictures, it looks like it isn't set up for a trapeze, yet it has some components for the Spinnaker.

[Oogly50]

The Spinnaker is the front sail right?  Wow, I should just take a picture of all the parts I have together and have you tell me what I'm missing.