LASER SAILING STATS AND FACTS: Number of hull plates issued as of March 1 2007: 189,489 >> Number of countries where fleets exist: 122 >> Country with the largest THESpecial GREATEST RACEBOAT EVER The Laser is a mere 14-feet long and has only four strings to pull, but its simplicity breeds an addiction that makes it the most popular dinghy in the world. B Y BRUCE KIRBY into the design formula as This figure brought the boat’s ments were aimed at reducing mum on the racecourse, too. Laser sailing is a global And crew weight was 200 pounds, sail area-to-displacement weather helm because I hadn’t But with 180 pounds as the phenomenon, and now, with but after continued “think ratio to 24 and the displace- gotten the relationship be- ideal, anyone weighing less three different sail sizes, the experience is universal. hen the Laser adults, father and daughter, time,” that number was re- ment-to-length ratio to 82— tween lateral plane and center than 160 or so was at a dis- Then was designed man and wife. duced to 180. I felt it would be good numbers to produce a of effort right at the first stab. tinct disadvantage in strong area and, of course, a lower in 1969 we I had decided early on that better to have the boat float a light and lively little boat. All that seems like ancient winds. And certainly the 180- center ofeffort. (Later the Ra- really had the waterline length would be little low in the water with 250 During the refinement history today, nearly 37 later. pound optimum discouraged dial was refined to its present There no idea how 12.5 feet, as I felt that was the pounds aboard than float too SEE/DPPI process after the boat’s first But by guess and by God, by most women from racing configuration by Perfor- Wthe boat would be used. So in minimum for satisfactory per- high and be tender with 150 outing the rig was moved for- trial and by error, and even the boat at the highest level. mance Sailcraft Europe work- choosing a crew weight to be formance. A sail area of 76 pounds of crew. SEA & ward, mast rake was reduced, with a little simple math With this in mind, the origi- ing with British sailmaker Were applied to the displacement square feet was tossed into the So 180 it was and with the and the sail was given a slight- thrown in, we got it right. nal sailmaker, Hans Fogh, and Eddie Hyde.) calculation, I didn’t know if mix with the idea that it could hull, rig, centerboard, rudder, ly higher aspect ratio.These One of the more satisfying re- builder, Ian Bruce devised the The Radial came at a time this car-topper—for that’s be altered at any time, but in and sail coming out to close to ORLENGHI/ alterations moved the center sults of all this was discover- Radial rig,which has a short- when the Laser was spreading what I had been asked to de- the end remained 76. another 180, we had a sailing O B of effort 7 inches forward. ing that the crewweight of er and more flexible lower rapidly to countries outside ARL Three sign—was to be for kids, The first number that went displacement of 360 pounds. C These step-by-step enhance- 180 turned out to be opti- mast section, 14 sq. ft. less sail North America and Europe, Reprinted from S AILING W ORLD A p r i l 2 007 Reprinted from S AILING W ORLD A p r i l 2 007 concentration of Laser sailors: England >> Most recent nation to join the class: Tanzania >> Greatest recorded distance sailed in a Laser: Sami Koohejiichael’s circumnavigation so the new rig,which was with friends. When I got big really influenced by his train- concentration. The important considerably easier to handle Master enough to sail the boat on my ing style and routines. difference is to sail well for a in a breeze was not only right own I had my father’s, and Has your approach to sail- long period oftime. for smaller males and most just really started sailing that ing the boat more physically You have to do a lot of ad- women, but also better suited boat a lot and enjoying it be- changed the way the boat is justing. Sometimes people to the huge numbers of Of cause my body fit well with it sailed today? leave the outhaul too loose Asians who were thronging and I liked to hike and the fast What I’ve seen over the past and it’s makes the sail into a into the sport. reaches. I just really enjoyed 10 years is that more people bag and they lose sail area, Almost before the Laser The sailing that boat and that’s are sailing full time. The top sometimes the vang is too Class knew what was happen- why I’ve stuck with it for so 20 guys in the Laser are always tight so you can’t go by the lee ing, a new class was born, and many years. With good results sailing and training.So now as well, and sometimes the one that appealed to enor- Domain I naturally kept at it because I you must be fit, but also men- vang is too loose and when mous numbers of people was enjoying the fruits of tally sharp and more consis- you surf the wave on a broad throughout the world. One of INTERVIEW training, preparing, and try- tent in your tactics. The races reach there’s not enough pres- its great strengths was that a B Y DAVE ing to get better day-by-day. nowadays are shorter and you sure on the leech. It’s especially single family Laser, with cen- Many of the people you’ve have fewer opportunities to important to adjust all the time terboard, rudder and mast REED sailed against over the years catch up because everyone is downwind.The wind changes, step unchanged, could accom- say what separated you are sailing so well downwind. the waves change, and the an- modate either rig and thus your fitness and the intensity What is it about the down- gles change all the time by as satisfy not only the strapping of your training; is that true? wind sailing that’s different? much as 40 to 50 degrees. sons, but also smaller siblings, n 1991, Robert Scheidt, Fitness is 70 percent in the This goes back again to In the boat park before a or perhaps even parents who a young steely-eyed Laser because on a long re- Peter Tanscheidt. When I day ofracing you’re said to be had decided that less sail went Brazilian Laser champi- gatta like a world champi- started in Brazil, people were very intense and focused, well with advancing age. on stepped into the in- onship or the Olympics you already pushing very hard mainly keeping to yourself. Following on the success of ternational spotlight have so many days of racing with their downwind sailing, I’m a quiet guy and don’t the Radial, the 4.7 rig was de- Ifor the first time in Kiel, Ger- and if it’s a windy venue, peo- but when I went to Europe like to talk too much before veloped in England in 1989. many, after trouncing the fleet ple start to wear out after the people didn’t care much about the race. I try to concentrate What made it work was a per- at the ISAF Youth World third or fourth day. If you’re it. The Brazilians were work- on the day. I try to keep to my manent aft bend in the lower Championships. Many great fit enough, you’re concentrat- ing on surfing and working routine before the race: wash- mast section to bring the sail’s junior sailors come and go, ing on the racing and the the boat really hard in the ing the boat, checking the center ofeffort aft to nearly but Scheidt was far from ordi- things that matter because waves—using your weight gear and going to the course the same point as it is in the nary. In his hometown of São you know your body will and using the sheet a lot—so early to check the conditions. other rigs. There were doubts Paulo, his celebrated status respond to the demands. they were managing to make After each race I relax, have a whether 100-pound (or less) was materializing with early I always focus on the fitness big gains. Today, the biggest quick discussion with my youngsters would find the successes in the Optimist and part with swimming,biking, gains are made downwind in coach, and not think too hull too large to handle in Snipe. Over the next two years and sailing in strong winds. the Laser. The differences are much about the race. I try to heavy air or after a capsize he stormed to the top of the That was never my problem. amazing between a guy who not bring bad feelings into the even if the 50.5 sq. ft. sail was Laser class, winning his first My problem was always in can sail downwind and a guy next race or the next day and truly “kid size,” but when the Laser World Championship in light winds because I enjoyed who cannot. deal with each race at a time.