old boat-should i race it?

I bought an older laser last summer with the old style vang and a pretty blown out sail. However, I'm reluctant to upgrade because I don't know how serious I plan on getting. I have a good deal of experience on keel boats but have only taken the laser out about 7 or 8 times and I'm not very good at it yet. My question is, is it worth trying to race it in the local fleet or will I just be wasting my time with such an old boat? Will I be so far behind as to inconvenience the other racers and race committee? I wouldn't want to bump someone else's nice boat with mine. In my area there is a pretty active fleet and I expect that most have a lot of experience. Should I give it a shot or wait until I have a little more experience under my belt and am more confident with my boat handling?

You'll learn loads by joining in and no one will mind if you just follow round at the back etc. You never know you may well do better than you expect! Get chatting to the other guys, check their rig set up and watch them sailing (even if it is as they lap you )

You may find some of them can suggest cheap upgrades to your set up with minimal cost to you to help.

why not? its club level stuff, you'll learn alot, become a better keelboat sailor, and if anybody gets their panties in a knot, then they have taken themselves far too seriously.

Often during our local club level races its not uncommon for the experienced sailors to shout advice and help the new guys while on the water, during the race.

So again, why not?

If you're worried about inconveniencing the RC, then at the moment you feel you are hindering them and holding up the fleet, ask for your position ( IE take the last place ) and get ready for the next race.

Get out there and have fun

I'm in the same position and will be doing some club racing with an old beater boat this season. Have been racing mostly all keelboats for the last 10 yrs or so and am finally doing some dinghy racing.

I have the old style vang and wooden boards, so I have given up on looking fast or skilled until I actually have some more racing experience in the boat.

Just think how good you'll feel when you beat some of the 19xxxx numbered boats

I race in a 1979 laser with uprgraded controls and a new sail and honestly i dont feel a much of a difference. All you need to make sure is that you have one coat of gelcoat. And not multiple layers of paint which usually happens with older boats. When it comes to local or club racing you dont need a top of the line brand new boat. Its not the olympics. If you make sure the boat weighs around 130 and not 150 or 160 and you have upgraded controls and a new sail... You will be GREAT!! you will not need a new boat....................... Unless youre going to the olympics

Don't mean to sound ignorant, but how do I weigh it? I'm certainly not going to take it somewhere and pay someone to get it weighed. It has been painted so it is probably a little heavy. Someone "restored it" in 1999. Also, there is no autobailer. Is this a big deal? Will it render my boat not class legal?

Not having an autobailer shouldn't be an issue of legality.

As for weighing it, I just brought my bathroom scale out onto my deck, and stood the boat on it's end on the scale. I didn't need to be more accurate than that. My hull is 1987 or 88 (I can't remember right now), and it weighed in right at 130lbs.

William of Orange said:

Don't mean to sound ignorant, but how do I weigh it? I'm certainly not going to take it somewhere and pay someone to get it weighed. It has been painted so it is probably a little heavy. Someone "restored it" in 1999. Also, there is no autobailer. Is this a big deal? Will it render my boat not class legal?

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Couple of things...

1. Don't bother to weigh it. It will probably only depress you.
2. I agree with everyone else, RACE THAT SUCKER!

It kind of reminds me of me. I've raced MC Scows all my life. In 2005, we had our club championship in Lasers. I fell in love with the boat! I went out and purchased a piece of crap early '80s Laser to bang around on Wednesday nights. It was soft and the third month I had it, took it out in a blow and shredded the sail! I purchased a non-class legal one on eBay, and had a lot of fun!

I had so much fun with it, I bought a newer one (182941)! I took it to the North Americans in Keemah last year. Got my butt kicked (I got a record 3 black flags!), but had a wonderful time. Being 40 years old at the time I think I was 20 years older than the median age!

Moral of the story...

Race your boat! Have fun. Don't worry about bein embarrassed! Just don't run into anyone (unless they are on port).

p.s. don't worry about the bailer. Get a rubber plug. They are like $2

Every laser is alike and if refurbished properly it should at least keep up. I have an 1989 laser and have been able to pass 19xxxx boats at big regattas. Basically what I'm saying get that out on the water!