West Coast Sailing’s own George talks us through a few of top Laser upgrades and accessories. We recommend these accessories for anyone looking to improve their Laser rig and spend more hassle-free time on the water!
Laser upgrades shown in this video:
C-Vane Wind Indicator – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Mast Wear Strips – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Teflon Mast Disc – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Vang Quick Pin – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Ronstan RF6210 Mainsheet Block – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
SEA Clew Strap – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Spliced Vectran Traveler – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
ACME Black DIamond Tiller – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Rooster Carbon Tiller Extension – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Visit West Coast Sailing for all Laser sailing needs – http://www.westcoastsailing.net/defau…
Video by Kyle Martin
Laser story
The Laser is a widely used class of single-handed, one-design sailing dinghies using a common hull design with three interchangeable rigs of different sail areas, appropriate to a given combination of wind strength and crew weight. Bruce Kirby designed the Laser in 1970 with an emphasis on simplicity and performance.
The Laser is a widely produced class of dinghies. As of 2018, there were more than 215,000 boats worldwide. It is an international class with sailors in 120 countries, and an Olympic class since 1996. Its wide acceptance is attributable to its robust construction, simple rig and ease of sailing that offer competitive racing due to tight class association controls which eliminate differences in hull, sails, and equipment.
The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) defines the specifications and competition rules for the boat, which is officially referred to as the ILCA Dinghy, due to a trademark dispute.
Other “Laser”-branded boats of related designs include the Laser 2 and Laser Pico.
The Laser is manufactured by different companies in different regions. They include Laser Performance in Europe and the Americas, Performance Sailcraft Australia in Oceania, and Performance Sailcraft Japan in Asia. In 2019, the Laser’s status as an Olympic class was reviewed, and retained on the condition that the class complied with the Olympic equipment manufacturers (OEM) policy, allowing any suitably qualified manufacturer to supply boats and class equipment on a Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) basis. The move would potentially see a significant increase in the number of Laser producers.