This is old hat for most of you but I am like a kid at Christmas. My neighbor just sold me his old laser for $100. He was going to throw it away. I have been wanting a sailboat like this for 10 years.
So I've been doing lots of research, much of it on this forum, so I will try to minimize the questions that have already been answered.
(1) First to confirm, this is the hull number: ZFS335340376
I've looked through all the "decoders" and my guess is sail number 33534, built in March 1976. Sound right?
(2) Overall the boat looks to be in great shape mechanically, although what the heck do I know. It is filthy, however, especially the topside where the anti-skid is. In my research I've seen 20 different answers on how to clean that stuff. Consensus seems to be NOT to pressure wash it, but what kind of cleaner works best? It's just stubborn dirt.
(3) The biggest piece of advice I've seen for boats of this age is to reinforce the attachment of the mast tube at the bottom of the hull. This boat has no inspection ports so I'll need to add however many are necessary and do that job. Does that sound like a good first (major) project?
(4) Also, since I have never sailed a Laser before... When putting the mast in the tube it kind of wobbles a bit. It's not a snug fit. Is that right? Maybe that should have been my first question.
(5) Finally, in case I decide to take it out for a test in the near future, THIS doesn't look right. Sure seems like this hole should be plugged up, no ?
Thanks for the help - I'm sure i'll have more questions later but super-excited to get started..
PW
So I've been doing lots of research, much of it on this forum, so I will try to minimize the questions that have already been answered.
(1) First to confirm, this is the hull number: ZFS335340376
I've looked through all the "decoders" and my guess is sail number 33534, built in March 1976. Sound right?
(2) Overall the boat looks to be in great shape mechanically, although what the heck do I know. It is filthy, however, especially the topside where the anti-skid is. In my research I've seen 20 different answers on how to clean that stuff. Consensus seems to be NOT to pressure wash it, but what kind of cleaner works best? It's just stubborn dirt.
(3) The biggest piece of advice I've seen for boats of this age is to reinforce the attachment of the mast tube at the bottom of the hull. This boat has no inspection ports so I'll need to add however many are necessary and do that job. Does that sound like a good first (major) project?
(4) Also, since I have never sailed a Laser before... When putting the mast in the tube it kind of wobbles a bit. It's not a snug fit. Is that right? Maybe that should have been my first question.
(5) Finally, in case I decide to take it out for a test in the near future, THIS doesn't look right. Sure seems like this hole should be plugged up, no ?
Thanks for the help - I'm sure i'll have more questions later but super-excited to get started..
PW