Well done Tim The laser was one of my early boats and as you mention I learned a lot about sailing and a passion for sailing with this boat. Nice to see a tribute to Bruce Kirby.
True. I got the idea of doing the planet's warmer parts on a sail boat sometime last winter out of pretty much nowhere. Had no interest in sailing before despite living in a house on the sea for 18 years. My daughter has been on a bunch of sailing camps, including a trip across the North Sea through, what I later found out was, a hurricane. I bought her a Europa dinghy years ago, which is basically a Laser rip off. She's been at university abroad now for a couple of years and lost interest in sailing, and the Europa has just sat in one of my garages. Until I decided to drag it out, rig it up and give it a go this summer (let's face it, I need to learn to sail if I'm going to sail the world). And I love it. I'm an old fart and I can't leave it alone. I'm learning heaps about it every day. I'm an aerobatic display pilot (one of those that makes a carbon fibre plane tumble end over end and do other unbelievable things), and a dirt bike racer, and I'm getting more of a buzz from a little fibre glass dinghy.
I just wanted to throw in my Laser sailing note. I grew up sailing but became a good sailor when in college in dinghy races, 420s and lasers. We show up at the Naval Academy for the single-handed series in Lasers. I was OK 420 sailor and bad to OK Laser sailor. And at 135 pounds if it was blowing a very bad Laser sailor, I did well in the 1st race because, after 15 flips, nose dives and capsizes I was not last. It was a steady 30 Knots I had no clue what the max gust was, in the fleet, they counted up the capsizes, the average was 12. It was the most fun I ever had doing so bad in a race, I wish I did not break my tooth. Today I learned the Bruce Kirby designed the Laser, I just knew him as a great Boat Designer. The Laser should have been in the Olympics long before 1996!
my learning path.. bluejay , unamed pram bow aluminum row/fishing boT some sort of sail and a wood dagger board and rudder), family lightening, family pearson 30, Laser!!!, Prindle 16. love this channel it has resparked my love if sailing. keep up the good work. thank you.
Love the series! Would love to see a piece on the Uffa Fox / George O'Day Day Sailer and Day Sailer class boats. I recently picked up a DS 1 class boat. We live on an ocean bay and needed a trailerable boat that would stay dry-ish when going through the wakes of large power boats and that could comfortably sit 3 people for an afternoon of sailing. These boats also have massive production and strong community. The O'Day boats story might also be interesting.
Currently cutting my teeth on a 78 chrysler buccaneer 18, definitely has the history and the longevity (still in production) its a bit more on the plate to deal with then a laser with a full complement of sails and a spinnaker. I was drawn to it because its was affordable and large enough that you sit in it instead of on it. On a calm day I can take the family out in it. On a day with a bit more wind I'm hiked out over the rail trying to get her on a plane.
Last week , I had the opportunity to “crew” on a Rhodes 19 here in Chicago. It seems conceptually similar to the Laser 2, although it’s not cat rigged-so perhaps it’s a step up in complexity. I was wondering if you have any interest to cover a cross-section of boats for this range of “learner boats”. Or perhaps just do a piece on the Rhodes 19? Thanks for everything you do! As a new sailor and potential boat buyer, your content is invaluable and fun!
I grew up on the Cal 27' and Cal 29', but didn't really learn to sail until I got on Pirateers and Lasers in college. The Laser, in particular, was so responsive you HAD to learn sail trim and weight distribution or you'd be upside down in no time. Anyone who really knows how to sail has spent some time in a sailing dinghy.
Started on a Ranger 23, down to a Pico 14, and then up to a laser. Still have my first lazer, and there's nothing quite like catching a plane at a broad reach in 20kt wind. You cant ever move "up" from a laser, just across.
Interesting episode, while i was aware that lasers existed, never been on one, learnt on a 16ft Wayfarer... A boat that has some tales and might be worth an episode, especially the adventures of the late Frank Dye and his Wayfarer "Wanderer"
The American cup was named after my great great uncle... Richard Brown. Read the story its really quite incredible... could you please do a story on Nordica sailboats now... lol. Check out the Nordica called Black Whale out in Cape Breton
Great video Tim I love you channel it's always full of useful information I am thinking of buying a Vandestadt and Mcgruer siren 17 which is a Canadian company out of Owen Sound if you could do a video on them I would appreciate it. These little sailboats have a cult like following thank you.
Well done Tim The laser was one of my early boats and as you mention I learned a lot about sailing and a passion for sailing with this boat. Nice to see a tribute to Bruce Kirby.
True. I got the idea of doing the planet's warmer parts on a sail boat sometime last winter out of pretty much nowhere. Had no interest in sailing before despite living in a house on the sea for 18 years. My daughter has been on a bunch of sailing camps, including a trip across the North Sea through, what I later found out was, a hurricane. I bought her a Europa dinghy years ago, which is basically a Laser rip off. She's been at university abroad now for a couple of years and lost interest in sailing, and the Europa has just sat in one of my garages. Until I decided to drag it out, rig it up and give it a go this summer (let's face it, I need to learn to sail if I'm going to sail the world). And I love it. I'm an old fart and I can't leave it alone. I'm learning heaps about it every day. I'm an aerobatic display pilot (one of those that makes a carbon fibre plane tumble end over end and do other unbelievable things), and a dirt bike racer, and I'm getting more of a buzz from a little fibre glass dinghy.
I just bought a Newport Surprise 15’ to learn on, thanks for these videos on the different boats.
I just wanted to throw in my Laser sailing note. I grew up sailing but became a good sailor when in college in dinghy races, 420s and lasers.
We show up at the Naval Academy for the single-handed series in Lasers. I was OK 420 sailor and bad to OK Laser sailor.
And at 135 pounds if it was blowing a very bad Laser sailor, I did well in the 1st race because, after 15 flips, nose dives and capsizes I was not last.
It was a steady 30 Knots I had no clue what the max gust was, in the fleet, they counted up the capsizes, the average was 12.
It was the most fun I ever had doing so bad in a race, I wish I did not break my tooth.
Today I learned the Bruce Kirby designed the Laser, I just knew him as a great Boat Designer.
The Laser should have been in the Olympics long before 1996!
My favourite obscure Kirby designs are the Norwalk Island Sharpies.
It's to bad they were never produced in glass. I have a B&B cat ketch and the wood is a constant worry.
Ditto. So good and so clever. Not obscure for those who know. Safe and very able boats.
my learning path.. bluejay , unamed pram bow aluminum row/fishing boT some sort of sail and a wood dagger board and rudder), family lightening, family pearson 30, Laser!!!, Prindle 16.
love this channel it has resparked my love if sailing. keep up the good work. thank you.
It looks like a great starter racer.
I learned to sail on an Optimist. Certainly a much slower boat but great for a 10 year old.
A very popular race boat on Lake Ontario "The Shark24 " huge following. Oh and our club uses modied 420's for sailing school and a laser race team
sailing schools have abandoned the laser 2 a long time ago. they now use the 420. at least that is what they use on the east coast.
Love the series! Would love to see a piece on the Uffa Fox / George O'Day Day Sailer and Day Sailer class boats. I recently picked up a DS 1 class boat. We live on an ocean bay and needed a trailerable boat that would stay dry-ish when going through the wakes of large power boats and that could comfortably sit 3 people for an afternoon of sailing. These boats also have massive production and strong community. The O'Day boats story might also be interesting.
A big thank you!
Currently cutting my teeth on a 78 chrysler buccaneer 18, definitely has the history and the longevity (still in production) its a bit more on the plate to deal with then a laser with a full complement of sails and a spinnaker. I was drawn to it because its was affordable and large enough that you sit in it instead of on it. On a calm day I can take the family out in it. On a day with a bit more wind I'm hiked out over the rail trying to get her on a plane.
I started with a sabot at 6 then lazer lazer2 santana 20 etc etc great boats raced as a kid
very fun and fast boats to sail. cheap too
3:25 hello kitty! :)
Last week , I had the opportunity to “crew” on a Rhodes 19 here in Chicago. It seems conceptually similar to the Laser 2, although it’s not cat rigged-so perhaps it’s a step up in complexity. I was wondering if you have any interest to cover a cross-section of boats for this range of “learner boats”. Or perhaps just do a piece on the Rhodes 19?
Thanks for everything you do! As a new sailor and potential boat buyer, your content is invaluable and fun!
Looks like the Chrysler Man-O-War which was built in 1964.
Amen ~
Cheers
I grew up on the Cal 27' and Cal 29', but didn't really learn to sail until I got on Pirateers and Lasers in college. The Laser, in particular, was so responsive you HAD to learn sail trim and weight distribution or you'd be upside down in no time. Anyone who really knows how to sail has spent some time in a sailing dinghy.
Amen
The Laser II is dead as a learn-to-sail boat; it's mostly the 420 or the FJ or one of the rotomolded RS boats any more.
👍👍👍😐 well done.
Started on a Ranger 23, down to a Pico 14, and then up to a laser. Still have my first lazer, and there's nothing quite like catching a plane at a broad reach in 20kt wind. You cant ever move "up" from a laser, just across.
Interesting episode, while i was aware that lasers existed, never been on one, learnt on a 16ft Wayfarer... A boat that has some tales and might be worth an episode, especially the adventures of the late Frank Dye and his Wayfarer "Wanderer"
420s and the Hunter(?) JY15 are used in a lot of Jr Sailing programs on L. Ontario (US side, at least)
I learned on a sunfish
Sweet shirt Tim. Are going to the 2021 Annapolis boat show?
I really really want to but not sure whats going on with the border :(
Lady K Lasering 🤣😂💯
Stuart 36.8 1981 sailboat Boston boat Works What your reviews on that thanks for your videos
The American cup was named after my great great uncle... Richard Brown. Read the story its really quite incredible... could you please do a story on Nordica sailboats now... lol. Check out the Nordica called Black Whale out in Cape Breton
Great video Tim I love you channel it's always full of useful information I am thinking of buying a Vandestadt and Mcgruer siren 17 which is a Canadian company out of Owen Sound if you could do a video on them I would appreciate it. These little sailboats have a cult like following thank you.
European, World, Olympic champions and vice champions from Lithuania in Laser. Whaaaat? Lithu... where??? :)
laser 28???
Bruce Farr design (another Bruce).