The Laser II pops up on a plane much earlier than the single-handed Laser. I used to sail a Laser-II single-handed all the time, and I thought it was a much nicer boat that the older design, maybe that Bethwaite chap knows something about boat design . Very stable and control-able; I was easily able to cleat the main and reach forward to adjust the jib sheet while on screaming plane.
Having said all that I now own a single-handed Laser and sail it all the time.