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- Sailboat Guide
Laser 2 is a 14 ′ 5 ″ / 4.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Bethwaite Design and Ian Bruce and built by Performance Sailcraft between 1978 and 1987.
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
Thanks to Ken H. for contributing drawing scanned from orginal brochure. The LASER 2 has a convoluted history. There was the LASER II FUN, and the LASER II REGATTA, a LASER FUN NEW WAVE, (which added an assym. spinnaker). All retired before 1990.
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Laser vs Laser 2
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Hey guys So I've just recently started my third year sailing (second year racing), and I've kind of been thinking it's about time my girlfriend and I moved up to our own boat(s). The yacht club happens to be selling off some of the lasers and laser 2s from their youth sailing program fairly cheaply, so the timing would seem to be good. My question is, should I buy a single laser 2, or a pair of standards? I'd kind of like something I can singlehand myself if she can't make it out, and I worry about being able to keep the 2 upright by myself with a main and jib up. On the other hand, it would be nice to at some point be able to take one of my non-sailing friends/younger siblings/ etc out for a sail, and I'm not too sure a standard would have the space for two people. I'm still sort of leaning towards the standard, but I figured I'd throw a post up on here and see what you guys thought. Thanks!
I would think the 2 would limit your racing unless they have a big class of them in your area ?
I just went through the same decision. In the end, I decided on a Laser II because I wanted to be able to practice with as many sails as possible. I posted in forums and asked around, and was told that I should be able to single-hand the Laser II. (That said, I've only been out on it with friends so far, so I haven't tried single-handing it yet.) One thing to consider: my Laser II was in poor shape when I got it, and while working on it, I found that parts are getting harder to come by, since the Laser II is no longer being made. There are quite a few parts that are identical on a Laser, so you can order those, but others are a little more iffy. For example, mine came without a spinnaker, which I figured was no big deal - I'd just pick one up somewhere else. But I've been surprised by how difficult it is to locate a whisker pole for a Laser II. Overall, I still think I made the right decision - it's fun to have two people out, I should be able to single-hand, and I get to practice with both the main and jib (and spinnaker, if I can ever find one.) But there are drawbacks to be aware of, such as limited racing and parts availability.
The standard Laser is a great boat and is easily handled by one, or two people of modest size/weight (better in higher winds). On the other hand you could always sail the Laser 2 with just the main when you go out solo at first. Learn to tack both sails at once while soloing and lose the jib when the wind picks up or whatever survival strategy you come up with. Both of them are great boats. Does the Laser 2 you are looking at have the trapeze lines to the mast for hiking out? If so you'll need a harness to hook into the trapeze. The Laser 2 is quite a bit more 'technical' then the standard Laser with more gear and rigging. There is something nice about a simply rigged boat that is easy to set up and break down. Your money, your life and your choice. Have fun with it. Disclosure: I have only sailed the standard Laser (non racing set up) and have wanted to try out a Laser II.
My son has a Laser 2 in Arizona, USA, and has had some challenges in finding parts, especially on a budget. Cb, where is the club that was selling the Laser 2 boats?
I had a Laser 2 when I first started sailing and had no trouble single handing it - seems I did something to the jib sheets so I could cross sheet them and control the jib from the high side - I got the Laser 2 over the plain Laser because the Laser did not have enough room for me (I am 6 ft 4 inches tall).
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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. Author: Mike Croker
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The Laser 2 is a sailing dinghy, built predominantly of fibreglass. It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller with an extension and a retractable daggerboard. It displaces 170 lb (77 kg).
Designed to determine if a boat has blue water capability. The CSF compares beam with displacement since excess beam contributes to capsize and heavy displacement reduces capsize vulnerability. The boat is better suited for ocean passages (vs coastal cruising) if the result of the calculation is 2.0 or less. The lower the better.
The obvious differences is that the II is bigger than the laser. It can run a main, jib, and spinnaker. There is a larger cockpit area which is good for sailing with another person, hence why it is a double-handed boat. I sail with my 10 year old and 5 year old pretty combortably, but sailing alone is difficult.
Der Laser II (auch Laser 2) [1] ist eine robuste Zweimann-Trapezjolle mit Spinnaker, die sich sowohl mit 120 kg als auch mit 160 kg Crewgewicht sehr gut und schnell segeln lässt. 1978 zeichnete Frank Bethwaite den Laser II als Fortsetzung des Standard-Lasers.
Developed under the same philosophy as the Laser, the Laser 2 is a strict one-design class with a world-class racing circuit and the exhilarating performance to attract top sailors worldwide. The Laser 2 features an easily driven hull for high-speed planing performance.
Laser 2 is a 14′ 5″ / 4.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Bethwaite Design and Ian Bruce and built by Performance Sailcraft between 1978 and 1987.
The Laser 2 is quite a bit more 'technical' then the standard Laser with more gear and rigging. There is something nice about a simply rigged boat that is easy to set up and break down. Your money, your life and your choice.
The Laser 2 is a popular sailing dinghy that was designed by Frank Bethwaite and first introduced in 1979. It is a two-person boat that is known for its simplicity, versatility, and performance. Here are some key features and characteristics of the Laser 2: 1.
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.
North American Laser 2 Class. The Laser Two's Strengths. Incredibly fun for all skill levels. Reasonable minimum skill requirements. Unlimited potential for those wanting challenge. Roomy enough for two full sized adults. Wide useful wind range: 10-30+ mph. Easy for a skilled sailor to solo. Easy to sail with unskilled crew.