I'm looking into getting a laser 4.7 After sailing in a sabot for a while?

Ronaldasx

New Member
Got any advice? I started sailing in a sabot about a year ago but I'm really too big now, and I'm thinking about a laser (well, that's what my coach told me). I'm 14, I've been sailing for a bit over a year but I've learnt quickly as my whole family sails. What do you think?
 
you can't choose a better boat, I got my first laser when I was about your age and I had a radial rig at that time because I was only 150lbs, that didn't last long so I had to start using the standard rig (also came with my first boat). I still have that same boat now 14 years and sail her as often as I can. And therein lies the beauty of the laser forumla; same hull differant rig sizes for differant sailors. The boat can and will grow with you. That old boat of mine is still fun to race and I have a great time out on the water.

To anybody thinking of buying a Laser, I say YES!
 
Honestly I would say don't waste your money on a 4.7... I would get a radial or a standard... I'm 16 weighing 150 and I sail my full in all conditions 10 knots to 25... You just have to know good depowering tricks... And you also need to be quick and knowing how to hike... And DON'T USE CLEATS!!!
 
Can we stop telling people on here to get rigs that are far too big for their size.

You can sail any rig at any weight but if you want to sail the laser well you need to be the correct weight for the rig. We don't actually know how heavy the poster is so he may be 4.7 or radial sized. At 14 I seriously doubt he is heavy enough for a standard rig.

Even if you only do a year in a rig before moving up a rig size you'll sell that rig easily so its not a waste of money.

I have good friends who tried sailing the wrong rig size and ended up injured as they weren't strong enough. Strangely enough none of them sail anything anymore as it completely put them off.
 
Good advice from Sailorchick.

To give proper advice, we will not only need to know your weight, but also the (wind) conditions you will be sailing in.

 
You can't go wrong with a laser,

you should choose a rig to start out on by your weight range

the rule of thumb is:

4.7 rig ~ < 120lbs
Radial ~ 120-160
Std ~ >160

if you're borderline 4.7 and radial, go for the radial because you'll grow into it soon enough
 
I agree with the previous comments about getting the right-sized rig for your weight. If you are 4.7-sized, chances are you won't be for long and will want to move up to a Radial.

If your whole family sails, maybe got a 4.7, Radial and full-size rigs so all of you can sail a Laser.
 
I think you'll be great with a radial... They are worth the money and if you are around 150 you can sail in all wind conditions!!
 
The thing about the laser is that they are so popular that there is a good second hand market.

Get the rig that fits you NOW

If you are just starting off in a laser you won't know how to depower effectively just yet.

If you get a new 4.7 rig and have to sell it at the end of the season, so be it they usually sell pretty high as there are always new kids looking to start. Alternatively, buy yourself a used 4.7 for a season or so. I know people are saying you grow will grow quickly, 1 season is quick to grow out of a rig, but if you are in the wrong one it will feel like a long time waiting until you are able to sail competitively
 
Sailing a rig too early can also be detrimental from the bad habits you develop. You're better off sailing the smaller rig for the 12 months, whilst you learn how to sail a laser, and that applies equally for someone who'll end up in a radial or end up in a standard rig.
 

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