Retrofiting a '73 Laser

CHumphreys

New Member
I am about to embark on retrofitting a '73 laser that has been in the family since we bought it from the factory. It has barely been sailed yet the few times it has were in a granite lake in the Sierra Nevada’s. Fortunately it has been stored properly in Bear Valley, California until last winter when we sold the cabin. Luckily, that coincided with myself gaining a passion in sailing. Some of the fiberglass is exposed, and I am planning on only replacing the boom, all deck fittings, and the blades, including racing quality tillers and control upgrades. Any advice on lines, parts, and methods to return the laser to racing condition would be greatly appreciated, especially for refinishing the hull.

-Chris
 
CHumphreys said:
I am about to embark on retrofitting a '73 laser that has been in the family since we bought it from the factory. It has barely been sailed yet the few times it has were in a granite lake in the Sierra Nevada’s. Fortunately it has been stored properly in Bear Valley, California until last winter when we sold the cabin. Luckily, that coincided with myself gaining a passion in sailing. Some of the fiberglass is exposed, and I am planning on only replacing the boom, all deck fittings, and the blades, including racing quality tillers and control upgrades. Any advice on lines, parts, and methods to return the laser to racing condition would be greatly appreciated, especially for refinishing the hull.

-Chris

Chris, here's a few links to get you started from the HELP DESK section of this forum. Also, some parts links. Good luck. Merrily

HELP DESK links:

http://www.laserforum.org/showthread.php?t=1928

http://www.laserforum.org/showthread.php?t=1931

http://www.teamvanguard.com/2005/base/content.asp?section=boats&dir=core&page=boats_index&boatid=4

Websites for rigging info and parts:

http://www.teamvanguard.com/2005/base/content.asp?section=boats&dir=core&page=boats_index&boatid=4

http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d3000/e920.asp

http://www.layline.com/llf/boats/laser/laser.htm
 
Merrily said:
Chris, here's a few links to get you started from the HELP DESK section of this forum. Also, some parts links. Good luck. Merrily

Thanks for your help! I was going to completely refinish the hull, though, because it's original paint job is currently salmon/red color... I would much rather have a silver/gray or blue color. Also, some fiberglass is exposed from the few granit scratches. In addition, the deck needs some help from incorrect tiller attachment. Also any opinions between different carbon tillers, mainsheet blocks, vang upgrades, and lines to help my boat be as race worthy as possible would be greatly appreciated. I am hopeing to get this finnished before july 20th if it's possible, yet want the fastest, best-looking, race-legal laser possible out of this hull.

edit -I will post pictures here soon of the few defects so that I might recieve some more refined help.- /edit
 
Photo41.jpg
Bow view
Photo40.jpg
Stern view
Photo38.jpg
stern wear
Photo35.jpg
Cockpit (replacing grab rails)
Photo34.jpg
mast step (no leak)
Photo33a.jpg
inside of hull through only porthole (damp after wash:()
Photo33.jpg
stern hull view
Photo31.jpg
middle hull view
Photo30.jpg
forward hull view
Photo29.jpg
bow hull view

That's the condition of the boat... deck is in good condition (no soft spots) minus the stern tiller wear... wishing it was blue after it is re-done.... most likely going to strip it down to fiberglass and start over... awlgrip or gelcoat for racing (must be done by 7/20/05) (price)? Thanks for any help and advice
 
After a long period of debating, I am going to Gel coat the boat. Which carbo tiller is better, Rooster or Acme???????? Which mainsheet block should i use? How do I install an auto bailer? Which trailer is better, Kitty Hawk or Trailex? Where should i put my inspection ports, and how many (for replacing all the hull fittings)? Thank you for your help!


[edit] To change the hull color to blue, do i need to sand off all of the gel coat and apply a new blue one? or can i simply just sand off the top layer and apply a thin blue layer or what???? [/edit]
 
CHumphreys said:
After a long period of debating, I am going to Gel coat the boat. Which carbo tiller is better, Rooster or Acme???????? Which mainsheet block should i use? How do I install an auto bailer? Which trailer is better, Kitty Hawk or Trailex? Where should i put my inspection ports, and how many (for replacing all the hull fittings)? Thank you for your help!


[edit] To change the hull color to blue, do i need to sand off all of the gel coat and apply a new blue one? or can i simply just sand off the top layer and apply a thin blue layer or what???? [/edit]

Chris, I don't think people usually gel coat the whole boat, unless maybe you've got a shop. I guess you could do it if you sprayed in on. There's a thread in the HELP DESK that tells you how to do gel coat, but the instructions are for filling scratches.
http://www.laserforum.org/showthread.php?t=1931

For your trailer question see the thread Trailer Trailex or Kitty Hawk
http://www.laserforum.org/showthread.php?t=1880&highlight=trailer

Any of you refinishing guys got any suggestions for Chris, or are you all out sailing? ;)

Merrily
 
From what ive heard you will need to do some drilling for the auto bailer because i guess they changed the hole size.

For Gear i would first get a Rooster main sheet which is a very nice thing to have. For the tiller i would get the Acme carbon fiber because ive never seen anyone with the rooster tiller and i personally like the Acme one. I would also invest in a clew hook or a rooster clew strap it is definatly a nice thing to have.
 
sailor327 said:
From what ive heard you will need to do some drilling for the auto bailer because i guess they changed the hole size.

For Gear i would first get a Rooster main sheet which is a very nice thing to have. For the tiller i would get the Acme carbon fiber because ive never seen anyone with the rooster tiller and i personally like the Acme one. I would also invest in a clew hook or a rooster clew strap it is definatly a nice thing to have.

Ok... thanks for the info bout the drilling. Seems like i wont meat my deadline now... oh well, i can wait while im in Peru...:D I was planning on getting the polilite sheet and clew hook as well. Also, im getting the performance upgrades (custom on the outhaul/cunn.) and the fatso jr. 48" plus replacing all lines (what lines should i get for what parts). Thanks for the help!!!
 
Thanks for the sites!! Where and how many inspection ports should i use? Do the screws screw straight into the hull or is there bolts on the inside? Do i need inspection ports to replace the deck fittings? Also, any tips on changing the hull color would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
CHumphreys said:
But are there nuts on the inside or do the screws just screw into the fiberglass and nothing else? Thanks.

When I adjusted my centerboard brake, there were just screws in the fiberglass with a little silicon caulking.

Merrily
 
what you need to do is put some silicone on the whole then put the fittings in the silicone just seals it.
 
Update-Hull: Changed mind from Gel Coat to Awlgrip and bought the new supplies (returned the gelcoat-no problem). Also, I've sanded down the hull and epoxied some of the cracks to seal them up nicely. Tomorrow I will sand down the epoxy and paint on the primer.

Update-Parts: Bought new boom, rudder, lines, mainsheet, deck fittings... well everything but a hull, sail, centerboard, grabrails, and mast:D ! (still need trailer--buying kitty hawk one when i find out how) That includes vang, outhaul, & cunningham upgrades plus the acme black diamond and fatso jr. and sail covers, and new lines, and only the best mainsheet block available!

Boat should be done intime for my first laser regatta (no, not my first regatta ever...), though I have raced lasers before, but nothing organised. Im going to Peru on the 20th and Ill be back working on the boat on the 8th for a regatta that next weekend... so excited.... will update progress daily from now on until I go to Peru...
 
wow that is a nice setup i really want a carbon fiber tiler and extension. and are yo storing the boat indoors and did you get numbers for the sail
 
sailor327 said:
wow that is a nice setup i really want a carbon fiber tiler and extension. and are yo storing the boat indoors and did you get numbers for the sail

In response, it's not registered yet, but the old sail has #'s. The Hull will be stored outside, covered. The sails, spars, and blades are going to be stored in my garage.

So far today, i have sanded down the epoxy, drilled for the auto-bailer, drilled new holes for the stern plug (couldnt find any plugs that fit in the same holes), and messed up the auto-bailer that i just bought:( ... I'm trying to fix the auto-bailer right now and then ill paint the awlgrip primer.
 
Update: Primer painted and auto bailer fixed-ish. It is very scratched:(... Primer looks great. Next step: sanding and then blue topcoat!
 
if your using a tarp that is good but i have found that the storm or aps bottom and top covers are the best and it is nice because you can store your spars on the boat and transport the boat with the covers on.
 
I got some covers with moistureguard 2000 for 150 each, new. It will be on the kitty hawk trailer once i get one.... by the way, how can i get one? thanks...
 

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