Laser.htm

International Laser Class

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The Laser dinghy

The Laser is by far the most popular and numerous single-handed boat in the world. At 4.23 metres (13 feet 10 1/2 inches) in length, with a sail area of 7.06 sq metres (76 square feet) and a weight of only 59kg (130 lbs), it is suitable for men and women to race competitively and to handle ashore. There are smaller sail versions for lighter sailors to use in stronger winds. Boats are readily available across the country at a wide range of ages and prices and the popularity of the class means that they can always be sold quickly and with very little depreciation. The class at Tamesis provides a warm welcome to new owners and coaching (if required) to ensure that they are able to become competitive as soon as possible. A busy social programme ensures that newcomers are rapidly integrated into the club.

The Laser is an Olympic singled-handed dinghy that was designed by Bruce Kirby in 1970 and first introduced in Canada in 1971. There are now more than 196,000 Lasers throughout the world. It is a strict one-design although the rules permit certain variations in the rigging of the kicker and boom outhaul, and the tiller. The Laser Radial, which has a smaller sail area of 5.76 square metres, was chosen as the women's single-handed class for the 2008 Olympics.

There are 31 Lasers at Tamesis. Current turnouts range from five to 10, with 16 for the annual open meeting in October 2004, 14 in 2005 and 2006, 18 in 2007, 15 in 2008 and 18 in 2009.

Summer Series Results 2009

On the water

1st        143088       Jacana                Steve Bartlett           13 points
2nd       178209         Phew                 Henry Defries             17
3rd        160428                                     Mike Goldsmith          38
4th        132359        Petnic            Peter Johnson              41

Winter Series 2009 - 2010

Peter Johnson succeeded Henry Defries as Laser Class Captain at the agm. In his valedictory report after the race on 21 February and before handing over Henry said:

"First, apologies to Stewart for not staying for a birthday toast. I was wet thru and didn't bring any dry clothes as I didn't intend to sail with a stinking cold. When I saw all you guys and there was a bit of wind....I changed my mind.

Cautionary tale. I don't usually fall in. On reflection I realized what happened. I gybed to round the windward mark with plenty of space but changing from leeward starboard tack to port gybe the boat heeled, the stream (I was broadside on to it) pushed the plate to leeward, heeling the boat to windward, I slipped and fell out backwards and as the boat continued to heel to windward the sail now came under the influence of the stream and promptly turned the boat ...bottoms up.

I will have a winter series place list on the board next week.

We must welcome Peter Johnson as our new Fleet Captain. I will hand over in the next few weeks as soon as we can arrange to meet. I hope you will all help him as he has got the Laser Quiz coming up soon and I'm sure will want some help here and there.

So long for now."

First start of the New Year