Questions on used laser from newbie

fa1321

New Member
Never owned a sailboat so if this is a repeat question sorry guys!

Looking at buying a used 1978 laser from a guy on Saturday and have a question. I did read the guide to buying a laser on this forum but still have a question. The guy I am buying it from said he left in the water in Clear Lake, Tx and it got barnacles on the hull but he removed them and the hull looks dirty and just needs a fresh bottom coat. No pictures he said other than that its in good shape. Opinions please?
 
Since you're a new guy to sailing, buy something that hasn't been abused and your potential boating experience will be 100% that much better. You might find '78 hull that's in good condition, but they're all getting a bit old now.

Leaving a boat like a laser in a lake to the point of being barnacle -ised exposes it to osmosis - the big killer of fun for any new fibreglass boat owner. And who wants to spend the first month of their boat owning career painting a gelcoated boat?

Unless there is an unnatural shortage of lasers in Texas, or you owe this guy, or he has your family in his shed out back, I wouldn't recommend it.
 
will you get a chance to see the boat in person before you buy it?
Yes I was planning to look at it first on saturday and I am no that familiar with the boat other than pictures and blogs of info online. He wants $600 for it.
 
Since you're a new guy to sailing, buy something that hasn't been abused and your potential boating experience will be 100% that much better. You might find '78 hull that's in good condition, but they're all getting a bit old now.

Leaving a boat like a laser in a lake to the point of being barnacle -ised exposes it to osmosis - the big killer of fun for any new fibreglass boat owner. And who wants to spend the first month of their boat owning career painting a gelcoated boat?

Unless there is an unnatural shortage of lasers in Texas, or you owe this guy, or he has your family in his shed out back, I wouldn't recommend it.
Chainsaw this is some really good advice! I sold my dirtbike because the forest is over an hour away and I never had anyone to go with so I want to reinvest the monies in another hobby. I tried a windrunner sailboat and really enjoyed it so sailing fits as I live less than 30 from the gulf. The point of getting the laser for me was car topped easy to store and performance. I like agressive sports like dirtbikes, snowboards, wakeboards so the Laser sounded like a good choice but I am on $1500 budget.
But I agree with you not wanting to ruin sailing by buying a lemon and more suggestions?
 
Left in the water and covered with barnacles? A 1978 hull properly stored would be soft enough already. I bet this one is a giant marshmellow.

Granted it might sail, as long as it stays afloat. I suspect it would develop major cracks if used very much. You don't need a brand new boat, but you need something a little better to start on.

I wouldn't even bother going to look at this one.

edit - The water in Clear Lake is NASTY. No telling what worked it's way inside the hull.
 
As torrid says, it's going to be a case of best quality for the dollar. $US 1500 sounds plenty though. Apart from broken stuff, oxidised fittings and sun faded ropes, rips in yellowed scrunched sails, keep an eye out for "star cracks". When you see them you'll recognise them, even if you haven't seen them before. It means the boat has taken a major impact at some point and water can get in under the gelcoat. Mostly it's just like buying a motorbike. If the guy you buy it off keeps it outside under an old tarp and the tyres are flat and there are two burnt out trucks on his lawn, chances are he didn't look after it too good.

Dunno how far you are from Austin Texas, but you could drop a PM to a member here called "gouvernail" who will most likely steer you in the right direction.
 
Adding to what the others have suggested...

I have bought an older laser and the seller was willing to negotiate. It was missing a tiller (it had the extension) and drain plug so he knock $50 off price. When arriving home with new (to me) laser, I noticed other items missing-- one of the mainsheet blocks, traveller blocks (>$50) which should have reduced the price even further (c'est la vie). I did receive three sails but no trailer for $400 price and weighed in at 130 lbs :)

In other words, you can negotiate for items missing first off, then negotiate for items in need of replacement, and maybe negotiate for items in need of repair.

Beforehand, you can create a laser parts&repair/price list since your not sure what is broken, damaged, missing. And figure the sail/lines will need replaced.

What he may think is needing new paint... may be only a sanding using the "making your bottom pretty" article.

You can bring a bathroom scale to weigh the ~130 lbs old laser, then pour water down the mast tube to see if it disappears, and look into inspection port for air bags or foam cubes, etc...

Oh, and lowball him with price by showing cash in hand and have money in more than one pocket so he does not see what your willing to pay. You can always drive away saying you want to think it over (whether you call right back, show up the next day, or pass altogether)

As your first sailboat, this laser could/should be had for ~300 so new sail (~200), lines (~70) AND you can be comfortable in the fact when you run aground/into the dock, etc... you not damaging a more expensive rig. Have fun!

HTH

Cheers!
 
Unless there is an unnatural shortage of lasers...

... Dunno how far you are from Austin Texas, but you could drop a PM to a member here called "gouvernail" who will most likely steer you in the right direction.

Have you personal looked for used lasers anywhere,... there is a shortage,... and new cost mucho dinero. This guy is a newbie and should get famialiar with as many aspects as possible, short of major reapir or complete rebuild, and there is value in decent old lasers for a reasonable price.

OT: That's pretty nice of you to refer him to Gouv.

(rant mode on)
I live in Austin, and know the Gouv as he would be happy to receive questions from a sailing newbie for a potential old 70's laser purchase without pictures, and after receiving much info already here on TLF. (a little sarcasm, right...)

Save only the "good" questions for the seasoned laser sailor / professional boat restoration specialist, aka the Gouv.

Have some courtesy and respect (for the Gouv).
(rant mode off)

Seriously nothing pesonal and Happy sailing!
 
... I wouldn't even bother going to look at this one...

You sir are silly! (silly ryhmes with what the last "s" stands for in the KISS principle). :p

Ok fa1321,.. for $400 i received a reasonably sound (no soft spots, no loads loads of scratches, and no barnacles) laser with three sails (imnus the above mentioned items in previous post) and no trailer.

a6_12.jpg


af_12.jpg


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06_12-1.jpg


55_12.jpg


ca_12.jpg



Go there,.. buy it, OR take some pics... and come back to this forum for more advice. [By all means keep looking for laser sailboat deals...]

OT: I doing a bottom job, will gelcoat the CB / Rudder and minor deck repairs, purchased upgraded lines, cleats, c'ham/outhaul & vang and pickup Kitty Hawk trailer and hull cover... all together brings the total to just above your budgeted 1500 (but you can cartop and save ~800).

HTH
 
Wow I am impressed with the responce I received! Thanks to all for all the info!
I will go check it out tommorow if it looks scary I will get some pics and post them here and get some more advice. THANKS EVERYONE!!!
 
Sounds like a shocker to me....... barnacles???? I suspect if you bought it you'd be looking for another one soon after as the first one had died. I'm sure you could do much better given a little time.
I was told once never to buy the first [insert whatever you like] you see.
 
Have you personal looked for used lasers anywhere,... there is a shortage,... and new cost mucho dinero. This guy is a newbie and should get famialiar with as many aspects as possible, short of major reapir or complete rebuild, and there is value in decent old lasers for a reasonable price.

OT: That's pretty nice of you to refer him to Gouv.

(rant mode on)
I live in Austin, and know the Gouv as he would be happy to receive questions from a sailing newbie for a potential old 70's laser purchase without pictures, and after receiving much info already here on TLF. (a little sarcasm, right...)

Save only the "good" questions for the seasoned laser sailor / professional boat restoration specialist, aka the Gouv.

Have some courtesy and respect (for the Gouv).
(rant mode off)

Seriously nothing pesonal and Happy sailing!

Of course I haven't looked in texas, I live in NZ. That's why I said "unless there is a shortage". Do you read things and not actually see the words or understand them?What are you, gouvernail's boyfriend - you don't want anyone talking to him? He openly encourages correspondence on two public sailing forums.
You save your "good questions" for pedalstal sitters and save your crap attitude for yourself. The OP is happy with the suggestions so far, so pull your head in.
 
All other comments were speculative in nature since there are no pictures and discouraged the initial viewing by potential new sailor.

Sometimes, you only get "one" shot at a good deal (and you'll never know without looking); besides, it would give him experience in evaluating this laser and better prepare him for this (or future) purchase.

Without trying to offend you ladies, I will address your comments:

Of course I haven't looked in texas, ... What are you, gouvernail's boyfriend...

Are you in grade school?... it's called professional courtesy.

... I stand by my original silly assessment.

Your speculative assessment indicates not to look at the boat (at all).
 
This boat turned out to be 2 hours away so I had to pass he does have it on this website http://www.sailingtexas.com/slaser159.html Thanks for all the info!

NP, in general, I posted the info for all potential sailors/buyers. (I guess I did go overboard with the info.) Sry to all about that. :eek:

Any other photos? The sail is probably folded for a reason, and it looks like it has already been painted as that does not look like original 70's colors. :confused:

Good will (laser) hunting. :D

Chain: Now does make sense not to bring the gouvernail into it? ;)
 
Hey there Floyd (fa3121),

The original laser advertisement has picture and indicates post date of 08/11/08, which is prior to your post here. Why would he not tell you?

Well, maybe he (baxby at yahoo dot com) can bring the boat down from Huntsville to the Clear Lake area as he is selling another boat (27 ft sloop, also getting bottom job) at:

http://www.waterfrontbeatonline.com/page20.html

and save you the (100.68 miles Time: 1 hr 46 mins) trip.

Good luck to you.
 
Hey there Floyd (fa3121),

The original laser advertisement has picture and indicates post date of 08/11/08, which is prior to your post here. Why would he not tell you?

Well, maybe he (baxby at yahoo dot com)can bring the boat down from Huntsville to the Clear Lake area as he is selling another boat (27 ft sloop, also getting bottom job) at:

http://www.waterfrontbeatonline.com/page20.html

and save you the (100.68 miles Time: 1 hr 46 mins) trip.

Good luck to you.

I may have found it on thier website but forgot because I have also been calling people off craigslist too. Its strange people put stuff online for sale then dont call you back?

This guy wont send me anymore pics I called him said I have cash but need more pics before I drive 8hrs round trip. He said he would try but nothing yet. Boat looks nice
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/796780246.html
 
... but need more pics before I drive 8hrs round trip. He said...

Now, I am really confused. Your willing to drive 8hrs round trip but not 100.68 miles Time: 1 hr 46 mins each way? Going there could be quicker but return trip with boat would be slower. Did you call/email him to see if he can bring the boat down from Huntsville to the Clear Lake area?

If your gonna swim, you gotta get wet. Best of luck.
 
Now, I am really confused. Your willing to drive 8hrs round trip but not 100.68 miles Time: 1 hr 46 mins each way? Going there could be quicker but return trip with boat would be slower.

He raised the price for the one in Dallas it was $1275 its a much newer boat has a jib new lines and comes with a trailer. As for the older Laser I did'nt have a way to bring it home it was left in the water & is 2hrs away. I priced a rack for my truck its $400 he was asking $650 thats $1050 and it may need a bottom job. All that being said I am open to ideas and do appreciate all the info thanks.

Did you call/email him to see if he can bring the boat down from Huntsville to the Clear Lake area?
No I did'nt know he had a boat in Clear Lake for sale until your post. I did tell him I was not able to use a trailer of my friends because he had already loaned it out so I could'nt haul it 2hrs in the bed of my truck and the seller just ok then thanks for calling.
 
He raised the price for the one in Dallas it was $1275 its a much newer boat has a jib new lines and comes with a trailer. As for the older Laser I did'nt have a way to bring it home it was left in the water & is 2hrs away. I priced a rack for my truck its $400 he was asking $650 thats $1050 and it may need a bottom job. All that being said I am open to ideas and do appreciate all the info thanks.

If it has a jib it isn't a Laser - maybe a Laser II but that is a completely different boat. Depends what you want, for recreational use it may not matter to you.
 
Laser 2 is a two person boat for relatively light crew, fairly technical and high performance with trapeze and spinnaker. See http://www.laser2sailing.org/boat/ or google for more info. More complex rigging and gear and quite a different animal from a Laser where the simplicity is one of the main attractions (original Laser is one of the great "day to learn, lifetime to master" examples).
 
If it is a Laser 11 I have heard it just didn't sail without a jib if you wanted to sail solo.
Then you will need a crew. As far as the barnacle Laser I am with Torrid I know
I used to clean hulls on big boats I have seen the horrors of salt water.
 

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