What's the best value?

bluekissmarine

New Member
been racing a club boat which is pretty old, but loving the return to one design sailing.
I am an experienced sailor (There's a Tornado sitting in the front yard but my crew took a weekend job and my alternate is building a house)
So......
I'm gonna buy a laser.
Should I buy new, recent used ?

I can probably afford new but am I wasting the extra couple of $K?
 
If you are completely sure you are going to love the laser and you're going to race I'd go ahead and buy new. Otherwise, I'd buy used.

If you buy used make sure you get a boat that has all of the, (vang, outhaul, cunningham) upgrades. This will help your resale value if you decide to turn it.
 
I opted for nearly new - I purchased a three year old Laser on the basis that the initial depreciation had already taken place. I got mine from a local private school and it came with an XD pack, an almost new trolley, brand new spars and a brand new official std sail. I tend not to sail mine in a Laser fleet hence originality isn't vital but I figured that being able to sell the boat at a later date as a 'standard boat' was important. In retrospect I would have preferred to have purchased a boat with GXD spec but I've been very pleased with my purchase,

Nigel
 
I'm gonna buy a laser.
Should I buy new, recent used ?

I can probably afford new but am I wasting the extra couple of $K?

I found that most people with newer boats want about as much as a new one. By the time you replace the sail & a few lines, you haven't saved a dime.

The best bang for the buck is to buy an event charter boat. The hull and spars have been used for one or two regattas but the sail, blades and all lines & blocks are brand new in the box. Most are about $500-600 off and come with a dolly. You also get the full warranty.
 
If you are new to sailing then never buy new cos ur gonna do damage. If you have sailed a fair bit (up to the point were ur doing club racing) then its hard. Better value for money to buy second hand. But then again can you imagine having a brand new hull!! Man I dream about stuff like that. Imagine pulling back the vacum pack (thats if they come in one dunno) and seeing that gleam of a new laser..... PHOWOARRRR!!!! Rubbing ur hand along that perfect finish thats never seen salt water.....woowee
 
i bought my boat pre owned, first by a local junior college [high school] that used it just for races, so it cant have been on the water more than 40 days, and bought it off my training partner who had just bought himself a championship boat. it was good value but the daggerboard housing needed some work because it leaked from there. then i bought a sails and a standard rig. all in all it was SG$5500, which was OK. lasers are pretty hardy boats but i think 2nd hand and lightlyused would probably be the way to go. boat shopping is 1/2 the fun! enjoy
 
If you are new to sailing then never buy new cos ur gonna do damage. If you have sailed a fair bit (up to the point were ur doing club racing) then its hard. Better value for money to buy second hand. But then again can you imagine having a brand new hull!! Man I dream about stuff like that. Imagine pulling back the vacum pack (thats if they come in one dunno) and seeing that gleam of a new laser..... PHOWOARRRR!!!! Rubbing ur hand along that perfect finish thats never seen salt water.....woowee

And then imagine the heartache the first time you ground the dagger board or rudder. (or is it only me that does that)
 
i bought my boat pre owned, first by a local junior college [high school] that used it just for races, so it cant have been on the water more than 40 days, and bought it off my training partner who had just bought himself a championship boat. it was good value but the daggerboard housing needed some work because it leaked from there. then i bought a sails and a standard rig. all in all it was SG$5500, which was OK. lasers are pretty hardy boats but i think 2nd hand and lightlyused would probably be the way to go. boat shopping is 1/2 the fun! enjoy

For $100.00 more US you can get a brandy new one, (or at least one with one regatta on the hull and no time on the sail).
 
For $100.00 more US you can get a brandy new one, (or at least one with one regatta on the hull and no time on the sail).

hi Rob, i thanks for the info!! however, a regatta boat here costs about 8.5k at least... thats what the ones from the asia pacific went at, and i suspect the ones from the beijing games are going at that price too... if i do head off to university in the US, i'll keep that in mind,...
 
I have rehabbed around 10 older hulls now. I just bought a 70s hull last week for $300.
It is poossible to find a well maintained older hull with a firm deck. I actually prefer the older hulls for frostbiting. I sail with an aggressive fleet where contact is pretty common. I do not get worried about it with an older hull. In short course racing I do not feel that an older hull is holding me back. In light air or flat water the less stiff older boats are competitive. I think you will find in longer course bigger breeze racing the newer boats stiffness in the hands of the right sailor make a difference. A dry boat is a very important thing as well. If it is dry then chances are it is lighter as it has not absorbed as much water.

So if you are club racing and find a well cared for, dry hull with a good mast step(repairing a mast step is usually not cost effective if the mast step is destroyed) Then you may want to save the money.

I have purchased two brand new boats and though that first scratch hurts, it is a nice feeling having that beautiful new hull. Word to the wise. Bring a measuring tape and measure the distance from the top of the lower spar to the transom. If you measure a few hulls you will be able to choose the boat with the mast rake you prefer. There is usually a small variation between hulls. (at least there is in the US)

Whatever you choose, have fun in the Laser!
 
Depends on your aspirations and interest. if you can get a second hand Laser that is down to weight, does not take water, has a good sail and latest vang/turbo controlls I would say go for it. Bearing in mind that this boat would be the one you would use in the regional Championships you might travel to. But in any Interstate or international regattas a boat charter is usually not only more convenient but also a cheaper option. With a charter you normally only take your foils and sail.

If cost is no problem buy new and take advantage of direct warranty provisions. A good, recent second hand boat will, however be just as quick.
 

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