Buyer’s guide??

When you’re buying a boat take a fast look on everything except 1 thing. The mast step. If you’ll buy a boat with a broken/leaking mast step it’s very hard to repair it without drilling an inspector port. Check general condition of gelcoat, see if there’s any repair and ask about it (the history of damage, and repairing( I don’t know how to explain)). Else I advice you to take a better look at the centerboard box, if there are any repairs, etc.


I hope I’ve described the most important zones for checking
 
The age of the boat doesn't matter if it is newer than the late 90s. What matter is how much the boat has been sailed and how it has been stored. If you are looking for a good deal I would look for a mid 2000s vanguard or (17*****,18*****,19*****) sail number if you are in North America.
 
There's this on the ILCA site: Buying a Laser – International Laser Class Association

If you (or any others) are thinking of buying a specific boat, post pictures of it (the more the better) on this forum, and we'll tell you if it's any good :cool:

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I love it! Any observations would be greatly appreciated. Asking price is only $500, which is about the price point my daughter can afford. Some minor repairs won’t be a problem for me to accomplish before I carry it to Florida for her. But she certainly doesn’t need a big overhaul project. The seller is still trying to find a hull ID for me.
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Hull ID is right there on the transom, a 1989 model. Already had a mast step repair, which actually may be a good thing as long as the repair is solid. As long as it comes with all the pieces and the boat can be sailed, I'd say $500 is a good price.
 
Sail number 136983, built by Pearson in Rhode Island in December 1989. I understand that Pearson isn't exactly the highest-rated Laser builder, but at least the most vulnerable part - the mast step- has already broken and been fixed with the standard repair set. Agree totally with torrid that if it includes everything and floats, it's worth the 500.

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Thank you so much!! I thought you were clairvoyant producing the sail number. I had to go back and study my own pictures more carefully. Now I finally see the hull marking hidden in the white paint. The advice is very appreciated! I expect the boat will get a lot of use in Florida, it may be my grandchildren’s introduction to sailing.
 
What does the bottom look like? The stress cracks around the back of the centerboard trunk concern me a little. Just wonder if that goes through to the bottom which would indicate some serious flex in one of the strongest areas of the hull.
 
The decks all seemed solid. I saw some resin where the top to hull joint was resealed (?). Everything else looked functional so I brought it home. I found the tiller and hiking stick was missing when I started cleaning it up, plus some worn lines. All the moldy yuck washed off easily.
 

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