SAILBOATS for $500 - LASER & CL-14! Lady K Sailing Ep 244
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- I got a great deal on a laser sailboat and a CL-14 sailboat. Here is how to rig a laser, rig a CL-14 CL14, put the sails on, and get out there sailing. How to shop for cheap sailboats, buy a good sailboat, and go sailing cheap and easy!
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For most sailors it’s not about the money, it’s about the passion. And in a world of extreme complacency, we will give expensive things away for free if we see the passion sparkle in someone’s eyes.
I’m laughing watching you set up your boats for the first time. If you’ve had a chance to use them a lot I’d love to watch a side by side of you setting them up. You’ve got great taste in small boats, those are two of the best.
Buy a used Hobie 16 catamaran. Ultimate fun for speed demons learning the fundamentals of sailing
Nice. I bought a melges c scow for 350 I think a few years back wish I knew what I was getting into and yes this was my first sailboat not knowing the pedigree she came with. Lots of fun I tell ya that
I owned a Laser and it was rigged very similar to this one ( basic setup ). It was the most fun I’ve ever had sailing. $500 for one in good shape is a steal.
So true about making an offer with a story. This is how I got a Laser for my daughter for £450, with a road trailer and a brand new sail. At 15, she’d just started learning and the previous owner had got the boat new when he was 15 (lucky kid!!). He was so keen for my daughter to have it, that he even delivered the boat for us. He said it made his day when I sent him a photo of her sailing it. Lovely guy, lovely boat.
“The big boats get the glory but the small boats make the sailor” - guess the movie.
We have had a 1948 Bluejay since 1995, she was at the time a free rescue who had sat upright on the trailer for 15 years. After some sweat equity she was sailable- hard and often LOL I still have her but it’s time to go to someone who will use her.
I was 20 at the time and already had years racing “big boats” but that bluejay opened up another learning curve on sail management and boat trim because every adjustment had an immediate effect!
Tim, I bought a 15’ windmill sailboat that came with a trailer and 3 sets of sails for $400.00. My grandson and I spent the winter stripping paint and varnish and then repainted and varnished it. The paint and varnish cost more than the boat but the experience was priceless. I now sail with a very proud 13 year old on a local lake.
I grew up in coastal NE. We always had a Sunfish !!
Too much fun ! It's like a scratch that needs inching and I can't stay away !! When your on the water it's like church and a time of reflection !
So, we had two laser sailboats on a U.S. Navy destroyer in the 1980s while spending months at the gunnery range off the island of Vieques in the Caribbean. We stored them in the missile magazine. On the weekends we would anchor off St. Thomas 2 or 3 miles, in the trade winds, so the sailors could go to shore for R@R. A few of us who were in the "sailing club", which at the time seemed geeky, because we were not participating in the drinking and frivolity taking place with all the other sailors who went to shore. Once the shore bound majority went ashore the few of us in the "sailing club" launched the Lasers off the fantail and had a terrific time sailing these incredibly fast boats in the trade winds. What the shore bound sailors did not know was we would put our money in a zip lock, rubber band it to the mast and sail some 5+ miles to private resort beaches and have a great time doing much the same thing on our own terms. Quite the return sail with a belly full of rum. We used the Lasers in some of the most interesting parts of the world, the east coast of the U.S., the gulf of Mexico, and various ports in the Mediterranean. I was fortunate enough to keep one in my storage unit when the ship eventually went to dry dock. Not sure what happened to the Lasers once I left the Navy. Great boats.
The Australian navy used 16 foot corsairs like this. Cept a corsair is a really seaworthy little beast that probably would sail ok with 6 or 8 in it. There are Australian Corsairs scattered around a fair few ports around the world .
Wow that’s a cool story. I doubt they do that now.
Lasers are so much fun, I raced Lasers for 2 years in Saudi Arabia and the wind there does BLOW! A laser will teach you how to handle a sailboat on all points of sail, your balance is critical especially downwind surfing! What a thrill!
I raced them too.
Imho they are too much for an absolute beginner.
It an old laser with a repair to the mast hole. Nothing wrong with that as it works fine. You got it at what it is worth at least here in NJ. I have a 1975 laser with a Seitech dolly available for $700. I prefer the Sunfish. For perspective, I bought the first Sunfish for $50 with the dolly and it was in good shape. I caught the listing 5 minutes after it was posted. The second as a 2006 for $200, but needed a large hole patched, again 10 mins after it was listed. The third was for $300 it was leaning against a house. I was on a bike ride and asked if it was available. It came with the dolly. Bought a sunfish copy for $200 with a dolly, sold the boat for $180 kept the dolly. With all boats if you are patient some incredable deals come up. I paid $700 for a triple trailer and the Laser. It was listed for months for too much money and they wanted to get rid of it.
Wow your home is super well organised and we'll maintain.
I will give my arm to visit you and go out for a sail
Fun, learned on lasers - 20 min from home on our Glenmore Reservoir, then got a Prindle Cat.
learning in a dinghy makes you a better sailor
I have an AMF Sunbird. It has all the features of a larger boat in a 16' package. Got is for free put some money into it, a small motor for example. Love it. We take it EVERYWHERE. I tow it behind our 5th wheel camper and let the adventure begin.
Like about half the sailors in the UK I learned in a mirror dinghy, brilliant little boats. I'm lucky enough to have learned in the same boat as my father and grandfather who built it from a kit in the 60's
Great deal Tim. The 14 is a beauty!
Bought my first boat a couple months ago. Great condition Hobie 16 with the beach slip right in Vancouver for cheap!... right place at the right time and never advertised, just word of mouth.
Just wanted to sell it for cheap to someone from the club so that the boat was sailed and enjoyed, the only condition on the sale was not to sell for profit when my time came to sell it.
I grew up sailing lasers in Newport Beach. Super fun and SUPER Fast!! We used to take a passenger and flip the boat dropping them in the water while we scrambled over to the keel and can flip the boat back upright without getting wet while the passenger got dunked. 😅
I bought a cl14 3yrs ago. Sadly I’ve only found time to go out a couple times a yr. A lot of fun. Especially when you’re learning to sail from videos online. I remember the first time I pulled out of Whitby harbour into Lake Ontario. I had the main a jib up when the wind out on the lake grabbed hold of me. The boat felt like it was racing across the water. She heeled over to the side and scared the crap outta me. I managed to turn off the wind and not flip over. I certainly learned a valuable lesson between the wind in the harbour and the wind blowing across Lake Ontario.
Scored a 18’ buccaneer this year. It was listed for $800… when I told the gentleman selling it that i wanted it to teach my kids how to sail he said “just take it you can have it!” 🤯 it’s been a great boat needs some tlc but dont we all. I need to make some videos on it.
We have community clubs in Toronto with Albacores, lasers and Hobies. Friday night races will see 30 single class boats out.
Have been watching Roger Barney’s cruising dinghy series have to say it really appeals but the family want a cabin!
Thanks for sharing! Was cool to see a bit of your life and hear some stories.
My first (and current) boat is a Chrysler Man O War which I got for $700. It's basically the obscure cheap knockoff version of the Laser and takes the same sail and is set up the same.
I have a lido 14 for day sailing with the family. It seats 6 and sails nice and comfortable across the lakes. I payed 800$. My second boat is a beneteau wizz. It can be two person but i prefer to sail it alone. It is fast and lots of fun. It doesn't take much wind to get it really going. I payed 325$. Very similar to your two new boats.
"I think I have a problem" I can identify! Too funny
My First boat was a Zuma (made by Alcort?) it came with a trailer for $300. Fixed the crack in the hull with duct tape and went out that day for 4 hours and no experience, came back with a big grin on my face. Now I own a CL16, a 1965 Cygnus 20 with a fixed keel (made by George Hinterhoeller), and a month ago a Cape Dory Typhoon.
Yes it is a problem
Winter is coming, and if you want to get in a boat now is the time, deals are to be had. You will be ready for spring.
I bought a flying scot for $500, spent another $900 on it, great solid boat!
I have been sailing a FS for 48 years now. Indestructible.
I just found an O’Day Javelin on Craigslist for 1100 with a trailer, both in working condition and ready to roll with extra sails and spare parts. It was this video that put the thought in my head to begin with.
great episode! thanks for sharing the how-to-rig on them.
Another tip is also joining a sailing club at a local reservoir etc. Not just does that mean you can use there westsuits, buoyancy aids etc. Making it cheaper. Look at the ads for boats in their club house. They often go for very cheap, and come with a spot. These boats will have been bought and sold in that same place dozens of times, so you'll be able to ask around about it. The price is also sort of based off what feels right, rather than what you see online which is always based off other boats and normally the top end price. As you said about a good home is important because it stays within the club they know it will go to fellow sailor. My dad bought a Miracle for £50, and we had years of fun, we almost came 2nd in a race once until a gust of wind almost capsized us and we had to bail water for the rest of the race. You look online and the boat could br sold in the state it was in for 500, but my dad dutifully sold it on for 50 pounds to a fellow sailor at the club. On the other end my first boat was a Topper that had competed in Team GB for we got that for 350, with racing sails and a good cover.
OMG I saw the " Blue Boat" and said that is my boat. I have one very much like it i added a motor mount for an electric trolling motor. My Grandsons love it. Lots of room for them to move around, easy to fish from AND they especially like to take control of the little boat..it sails nicely on the local lakes around Prescott Arizona too.
My first boat was a 17’ super satellite from the 50’s only had it for 1 year but learned how to sail on the ocean with it only with the sail it came (learned how to mend too) cost me $200 with trailer
Great story. Its true...honesty is the best policy
I found this to be a very informative piece as I am looking to buy my first sail boat and learn to sail. I am a retired naval aviator, so I understand the magic of the air foil. Just need something to practice on until I become proficient buy a larger boat both me and my wife can enjoy. Great content for me.
Glad it was helpful!
I took up sailing at age 67 after a lifetime of playing tennis and downhill skiing, water skiing and wake boarding. So my abs and fitness level were still good. My first boat was a Catalina Capri Cyclone. Similar to the Laser but with a halyard for the mainsail. I've added three more dinghies: a Chrysler Buccaneer 18, a Thistle and an O'Day Daysailer 1. The Buc iis like a big Laser, but faster, with a jib and main. A crew of 2 is ideal, but most of the time I solo it. The Thistle is a pure racing dinghy and as storied as the Laser. It's a 3-man boat. But I don't bother with the spinaker and and solo it in moderate conditions. The Daysailer is not as fast as the Buc or Thistle. It's a little wider and more stable, especially in heavier conditions. A versatile boat with a cuddy cabin you can use for overnight camping. All these boats are tons of fun. All are fast and will plane in a good breeze. I sail them often from early spring to late November. I recently bought my first pocket cruiser, which needs new standing rigging. However, I doubt it will be the kind of pure fun these fast dinghies are. They really get the adrenaline going when the wind is good.
The abs muscle will come but will be burning painful, but may improve your social life. I was never good at ducking under the boom when tacking, and keep momemtun (irons?). Always wanted either boat, but never had room in garages, or backyard (HOA) now on an older house, but pushing 65, no more strong body, and slower reflexes. If given the choice, the CL14 would be my choice. Always a cruiser. Hope to see you in Annapolis.
Might want to pop a downhall/cunningham rig on the laser. Have fun, they are proper nuts with a good blow... Nice work out for sure 🙂. Love the channel..
the vang or kicker should not go straight to the cleat either and the line is short - but I think he mentioned that
Congratulations on getting a great deal on those boats. I hope you have a great time with them.
Love this video. Got a Catalina 14.2 Keel few years ago.
This is a fun video. And it's great fun and super rewarding to introduce new sailors to the sport / life.
I hope your plan is to get new sailors out on the CL a couple times including some tiller and mainsheet time and then turn them loose on the Laser. As a couple other people here have mentioned the Laser's not a great boat for a first sail - maybe a fourth or fifth.
The main reason I wanted to comment on this video though is that for a summer when I was in high school I was a part time yard/shop hand at CL sailboats in the late 1990s. The 14 is a good boat, more responsive than the 16.
I appreciate the vids for beginners.
I think my favorite dinghy is a SOL... it's essentially a sunfish with a better cockpit... sunfish and Lazer are awesome too for the same reasons... just a basic post mast with no standing rigging... I bought my sunfish for $300... perfect condition, clean sail, nice gel coat, stored indoor....
Nice!
For simple, get out on the water cheap, nothing beats a Sunfish. Even simpler than the Laser and cheaper since so many more have been produced over the last 70 years.
That CL14 looks like a precursor to the C420 which is the standard of high school and collegiate sailing.
Sunfish are awesome for solo sailing and a small woman can easily right them when they get knocked down. And because they're easy to right it encourages you to sail fast in stronger wind and have more fun,
In April I got a 1977 O’Day Mariner 2+2 that had sat for 8 years for free. After much sweat equity and about $1200 dollars I have an overnight capable sailboat. I have had it out once on Lake Michigan and suffered more trials than Odysseus, but-weather willing-I am going again this weekend. I think I am hooked.
I have wanted a Mariner 19, but they are pricey in good condition. My Daysailer was free. The hull was damaged, but the rigging was good, the sails had been replaced and it came with a shabby trailer. The big issue with all the trailer sailers with swing keels is the swing keels. Finding one with a swing keel in good condition is the challenge because it is a good bit of work to remove one and re-condition it.
I like sailing dingy 9.5 n 14 ft really like to start sailing, best single manned motor sailing .
I bought a 18 foot Chrysler buccaneer for 700 dollars great boat super fast two reefing points in the main with a Harkin double purchase roller furling head sail.
Only problem was at age 65 every time I went out I came back a mass of blood and contusion.
But I put it in the front yard with a for sale sign in two hours some guy drove by hit the brakes backed up and pit 900 in my hand and took her away. And he promised me she'd be garaged and loved.
So there ya go
And for an upcoming video I suggest you take us out for a launch short sail, please.
After getting my Sail Canada intermediate I realized how much there is to learn from these small sail boat dinghies that you just don’t get from 30’+ footers and now will never sell my CL 14. Been sailing it for the past year and have so much fun on them. Lasers are also amazing and probably the best to learn on and you feel all the components that go with sailing. Unlike heavy keelboats these are the best teachers because they teach you the lessons the hard way which you don’t forget due to that unpleasant experience like tipping it in cold water or how to feel the wind without even looking at tell tales or wind indicators because if you don’t you will be stuck in the middle of lake.
I went the same route. Started crewing on regattas on various keelnoats, then joined the mentoring program at my club. Finally, I bought a cl14. It's more of a market price I must admit, but it came with new sails, including a spinnaker.
Then I promptly turtled it on my first gybe after about 5 minutes of happy sailing. Too bad that hull plug was missing, and I ended up returning to the shore on a tow, with the boat barely sticking out of the water.😂 Best lesson ever!
Thank you for letting me know about the story about buying a boat I sailed for many of years with my father Catalina 30 Catalina 27. I’m still sailing right now a fatty knees ache but I want to get back into something a little bit faster me and my wife at one time in 84 we bought a laser to from the youth Olympics got a real good deal on it. They even let me make payments on it And it was quite the boat spinnaker jib and we had such a good time with that boat. It was just unreal if we weren’t using the spinnaker, we put our beers in the spinnaker bag with some ice in there and then we’d be out in the Long Beach Harbor area. We flip the boat over upside down sit on the bottom and have a beer and enjoy the weather. I’m looking for probably Lido 14 because I’m 64 years old and I want something a little bit more comfortable never sailed on a catamaran I was like the Prindle 19 the Nakra five point twos love them but never pad or sale Dylan thank you for your advice I watch quite often and you have a great knowledge to pass on. Thank you.
I relate.
My first sail boat was a kayak with a .8sqr m rotating freestanding bermuda rig
My second sail boat was a kayak with a 1sqr m crab claw rig
My third sailboat is to be a spindrift 9 which I have almost completed building
I wouldn't recommend building a sailing dinghy unless you enjoy building more than sailing
Thier any sailing classes or maybe one on one , personal weekend training sailing . ? Guy in my area does weekend metal detecting courses .
Nice house Tim!
I started by converting a canoe to a sailboat. Then bought a minifish. Been sailing that for a year now. Have been looking for a laser or a force5 thats cheap. great way to learn to handle wind is on a small boat.
One of your coolest videos yet! Great story on the boats. The driveway looks great with them lined up!
Nice Old wing!
Great advice
JY15s are fun as hell to sail too. Not sure of the cost, but they're basically a plastic-hull filled with expanded foam and a centerboard, usually a fractional sloop with an option to add a spinnaker (symmetric, or asym with a retractable bowsprit) Used those in the Jr sailing program on Lake Ontario (Olcott and Youngstown) back in the early 90s.
very informative, thank you!
I have the CL 14. It is a great boat! I’m going to teach my son in law and Grandson. Do you have trouble with a vibration with your centerboard on the 14? ……when fully down. If I rotate it up 25% or so it’s fine.
your best episode , more of this stuff, practical advise.
My Dad found a Paceship P17 for free.... no trailer ( since found one one).. All the basic parts were there. The sail needed to be patched in a few spots. The original center board missing and a piece of plywood in it's place .....i cursed him at first but now we are hooked on the wind lol. I will be making a center board this winter and fixing a few of the old wooden parts.
Sounds good happy to connect.
I did my FIRST crew work at The Lake of the Ozarks, Ozark Sailing Club, in a Hunter 25ft. The previous owner had raced it in the Mackinac race way back when. Thank you for the videos and encouragement! ps.The Hunter is allowed at 15 minute handicap against the club’s fastest boat, an S 2.
Years ago, I crewed on a Thistle. Love the little boats! ⛵️❤
Great video Tim and story on how you got the boats!
First dinghy I owned was a CL14 I rode to the bone, although I was cheating on it with a Laser I... thanks for the memories!
What a story. I enjoyed a lot. Have fun with the new boats. 😀⚓
👍🏻Awesome way to end my workday! Thanks for the vid👍🏼
Great episode! Can you film sailing them?
Just bought a Vanguard 420 for $600!! Needs to redo the dagger board and the sails are worn but she was cheap, tows easily, rigs quickly and even came with a spinnaker!
Good deal Tim! I've come across several Lasers this summer that were less expensive than they should be.
It seems the market is dropping right now but I'm not sure why.
I found a CSY 44 for less than 40 grand recently, when the cheapest one on the market a couple years ago was over 60k. maybe it's a Trend in the market I'm not sure. I've had my smaller sailboat for sale since early spring 2023, no takers so this is the 3rd summer I've lived aboard and I continue to sail her regularly. As it turns my bigger boat refit is taking longer than I hoped so having the little MacGregor around for another season has been very a good thing.
Enjoyed this, particularly the advise on how to find a good boat at a good price.
I am in the market for a Daysailor II or similar boat, and will put this advise to good use.
Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
"Butterfly" by Barnett Boats. Scow design. Same size as a Laser.
I sailed a Laser for a few years. Excellent little boat but to have fun it it, you have to sail it hard. Because you sail it hard, you're going to go over in it.
The Butterfly is much more adaptable and controllable in big wind. Higher boom gives better visibility and wider beam gives more ballast leverage. Main is on a halyard so you can lower sail at anchored which is fantastic.
The Butterfly is not as all out fast as a Laser but it is a better sailor overall.
It's found mainly in the US Midwest as a lake sailor based on the large scow tradition found there.
It's out of production now but there's a healthy enthusiast community and parts and accessories are still being made.
I think Lasers are a great boat for intermediate sailors but a terrible choice for an absolute beginner. IMHO more likely to scare them off.
@julianbatcheler9970 yes. The Laser has to be sailed hard. Lots of fun though. Sort of like a two stroke motorcycle: on it or off it.
@@cactusjack1943 well put… I love boats like that… but I graduated to Lasers after 10 years of ‘easier’ boats.
And ultimately it was the need for speed and thrills which lead me to stopping sailing for many years.
I had a Laser and a kind of off brand Hobie copy… my buddy and I used to take the cat out when the only other person sailing where I lived was an olympic windsurfer. We were told by the club we don’t launch the rescue boat in winds this strong. We would think nothing of sailing in 30mph plus blows… we used to tie ourselves to it and just go jumping off waves and having a made time… just got to the point it was all about adrenaline and nothing else LOL.
Recently got back into mellow sailing and aim to buy a 38 to 44ft monohull and slowly sail to some cool places.
I suppose u use the sail angle to slow or dock then on the lazer. Every time i watch your vids i pick up more sailing knowledge, thank you. ✊🏻🏴
Cheers to you.
Hey Tim. Can you give us an update video on sailing and comments on sailing these two boats?
Just picked up two sunfish with a trailer that transport them both for 500. They’ll need some hull repairs but I’m stoked to learn
Great video I think I can do that!
Mijn eerste zeilboot een vaurien ,schoongemaakt opgetuigd en een boekje hoe zeil ik .in 1uurtje zeilde ik alle koersen.die zomer elke dag 😊
Later op grote zeilboten tot 55m gevaren .
Maar die zomer was mijn leukste.
Looks like you rehomed some nice looking boats.
Mistral 404 over laser , had both. You dont have a problem, dont stop. Is that a gl1200?
I know Baylor University in Waco is selling all 5 of their 420s. $1000 each.
Hey! The CL 14 looks nice. Any idea of where a fellow in the US could get one? Thanks!
Can we get a demonstration on the water? : -)
The CL 14 looks nice. Any idea where a fellow in the US could buy one? Thank you all!
Nice! -- QUESTION -- Tim can you give me a quick pointer please as we are deciding between two sailboats. If we forced you to make a decision between 1) Amel Super Maramu / Amel 54, OR 2) A Hallberg Rassy 53 or even the Hallberg 54, which would you take? Don't concern yourself with the cost to buy it We are going round the world and will, if we enjoy it as we think, take the slow route that may last 8 years or even 15 years. Including the usual South East Asia (think FollowTheBoat slow ride) and some good time doing the Inside Passage BC up to Alaska and we may take at least two or so years doing that and exploring all those inlets and Fjords etc. We have finally hit the wall and simply want to go within the next year or so. We are somewhat leaning to the HR 53 as the 54 has spade rudder and tall tall mast. 53 is more protected BUT we keep coming back to that Amel - very hard to not return to that as it hits so many good spots such as easy to use smaller sails, well proven design etc. What of the two is the ideal dream boat in your opinion? This is a lifetime decision for us and we want the best overall fit.
@Lady_K_Sailing ...done!
Disappointed this hasn't done better. My fast little skiff is hilarious to hang off.
Tim...we need to talk about your hoarding problem...you're in a safe space, we care😉🤣
While this is interesting, I miss your episodes of sailing/cruising in the Bahamas, and hope there will be some in the future, perhaps the Bahamas or the Caribbean.
Il buy the cl14
What difference between laser and sunfish
Hey Tim what do you think about the Cape Dory's for ocean sailing
Great 😃👍!
No sunfish?
I like the laser approach. Would be hard to make it much more simple.
Laser only started in 1996 Olympics… the Finn was similar and was an Olympic boat up to the last Olympics.
I also do not think they are a good starter dinghy at all. They will terrify a lot of new sailors and are also designed for a fairly heavy sailor.
Hmmm I bought a laser for $500. Minus sail but complete and with a trailer. Some of our people actually think they are a moderately advanced trainer . Mine has a 4 digit number. Yours has an inspection port thats usually proof of a mast foot failure at some time. No big deal .. its a well understood repair.
But I teach kids to sail all the time.. in things called Hansa's. If you are interested in asking about them. I,m in Melbourne Australia. I have given away 3 boats and picked one up for free (and been offered more ) in the last year also.
FOr that matter I picked up a second laser hull for free and a boom for $25. If anyone near Melbourne has a spare laser mast . sail centerboard or rudder.. still looking? Then I,ll find that one a good home
Wonder how long it'll take those rip off oddly satisfying channels from stealing this footage😮
What an incredible video🎉👏👏
PS. Like the Cruisers in your Garage 😉
@Lady_K_Sailing @LadyKSailing watch out for this scammer
That is an old boat. The mast step has been repaired, it is a common failure. The vang is rigged incorrectly. BTW I had a Laser with a two-digit sail number.
My brother had a laser with a five digit sail number, it had gouges in the gelcoat but was still pretty fast. And was bought used in the early 80's. I think the sail numbers are in the high six digits now.
I picked up a Hobie 16 for $700