Searching Craigslist for Laser

Preston Harris

New Member
Laser Sailboats, parts, trailer, etc

I am brand new to the laser community and have been looking for a boat for awhile. I have sailing experience but have never bought my own boat before. I am wondering if this ad is worth checking out? The problem is I need a trailer as well but this guy has no trailers ready to sell. Do I need to get a legitimate Laser trailer or can any small craft trailer do the job?
I'm buying for recreational use not racing.
 
I don't see a link, but I bought my boat on Craigslist. It can be a great way to get a boat. Just check the usual wear spots (daggerboard trunk, mast step) and press on the deck and hull all around for soft spots. Make sure the daggerboard and rudder are in good shape, as they are prohibitively expensive to replace.

Trailer: you can use pretty much any small boat trailer, and a jet ski trailer works really well. Most trailers are semi adjustable so you can move the bunks to match your boat. Jet ski and John boat trailers can be found on Craigslist for really cheap.
 
The link is the "laser sailboats, parts, trailers, etc." at the very top of my post, atleast that's what shows up for me.

I will have to hunt around for a trailer.

The pictures with the ad look ok but the boats have been stored outside... But if I could see one of the hulls on the lower rack that has been in shade....
 
I'm a bit of a Craigslist junkie, and unless you can haggle like a carpet trader I don't like the looks of that ad. Some of those boats looks like junk too. Be prepared for a $urprise at the DMV if you expect to register your new boat and the tags are not current.

Out here in California you can find a nice recreational caliber boat for $900-$1500 from a seller who is done with Laser sailing or wants to upgrade to a newer boat. Often this will include a trailer. However, success on Craigslist = patience, lots of looking, and when you find the right boat, quick, decisive action.

Other thank looking for soft spots and the condition of the foils, be sure to fill the mast step with water to check for its integrity. If it leaks, walk away or be prepared to spend $100 plus a weekend to learn to fiberglass and make a repair.

Lasers are great boats. Don't hesirtate to get into Laser sailing.
 
I've sailed a sunfish for years and a San Juan 21 a family member had. Just wanting to get a boat of my own that's easy to pull around and stick in the water but also a boat that has a degree of professionalism the sunfish is great but a little simple to my liking now.

With a little luck hopefully I will be able to find one on Craigslist or maybe on here. I see some other options up in the VA beach area with trailers for around 1500$.

I agree that this ad is alittle sketchy. The wording threw me off alittle. I just wanted to get some opinions from people who have dealt with this kind of buy before.

From what I've heard the mast head is the Achilles heel for any laser buy so will definately check that out!
 
Hey, if you do end up buying one, pick up an extra sail or two, then message me. I'll buy it for $80

Some of these look decent, but the way he worded it makes him sound off putting. Definitely worth a look. You could probably piece together a pretty nice boat, but FYI, I got a boat last month on Craigslist that was much nicer (at least by pictures anyway) for about $500. I put about $100 in parts and a practice sail and it's good enough for club racing, so if you're patient, you can find a better deal.
 
Well all but locked down this boat

Beautiful LASER Sailboat in Excellent Condition

Going to check it out in the next day or two. From what I see and what he has said sounds like an old but stiff hull. I can get it with the trailer for $1000 maybe less.

Of course any opinions will be helpful! He says only a couple small "blisters" and says everything is stiff. No repair work on it.

Working on getting hull serial number and location of it
 
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Laser Sailboats, parts, trailer, etc

I am brand new to the laser community and have been looking for a boat for awhile. I have sailing experience but have never bought my own boat before. I am wondering if this ad is worth checking out? The problem is I need a trailer as well but this guy has no trailers ready to sell. Do I need to get a legitimate Laser trailer or can any small craft trailer do the job?
I'm buying for recreational use not racing.

Hi folks - I am in the same boat (haha) as the original poster. I found a boat that seems to be do-able. $1500 for boat and trailer. I press all around the hull and deck and it seems solid. My trepidation comes that there is no rigging, battens, hiking strap, drain plug, blocks, vang, etc. and I am not sure what's necessary to sail. Obviously, I know I need the rigging, battens, drain plug and blocks, but do I have to have a vang? Or would that be considered an upgrade? I'm leaning toward getting the boat, but based on the extra stuff I need, I'd like to offer $1000. I'm also a recreational sailor. I won't race. Any opinions?
 
Hi Justin,
I am fairly new to lasering, only been sailing one for 6 months (though sailed optis, 420s, and JY15s for 4/5 years). I do know a little so here's my two cents:

You NEED a vang to sail, it is not optional on a laser especially. This is something, racing or recreationally, you will be adjusting a lot (especially in big breeze). What do you meen does it not come with rigging, is that including spars, because those are not cheap. Battens, haking strapps, and drain plugs are not expensive, and blocks are reasonable. if you could post some pictures that would be helpful too. How do the blades look, are they decent? Though on old boats, what's really improtnant is the mast step do check that, even if it seems good, you will probably end up reinforcing it.

Best,
laser4.7 sailor
 
Hi folks - I am in the same boat (haha) as the original poster. I found a boat that seems to be do-able. $1500 for boat and trailer. I press all around the hull and deck and it seems solid. My trepidation comes that there is no rigging, battens, hiking strap, drain plug, blocks, vang, etc. and I am not sure what's necessary to sail. Obviously, I know I need the rigging, battens, drain plug and blocks, but do I have to have a vang? Or would that be considered an upgrade? I'm leaning toward getting the boat, but based on the extra stuff I need, I'd like to offer $1000. I'm also a recreational sailor. I won't race. Any opinions?

Justin, I'd check that hull very carefully. Sometimes people strip all of the fittings off of a Laser to sell or use otherwise when there is a problem with the hull that they judge to be too serious to justify the work or expense to fix. Check for leaks, mast hole integrity, delamination of deck, etc.

Despite that, I once bought a very beat up looking Laser hull (completely stripped) for $75 the needed mainly cosmetic work. It became a very decent recreational boat.
 
And , yes you want a vang, but it needn't be a Harken. You can modify an original vang to get more purchase for much less expense.
 
Yeah I may end up with a complete boat ready to sail and a trailer in good shape for $1000. The only way I would consider paying 1500 for a bare hull and trailer is if both the hull and trailer were in near perfect condition. But if you can haggle him down to $1000....
 

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