You've reminded me of the like-new Laser I bought for $60.Laser parts would seem to be harder to come by and more expensive, and there are not nearly the same amount of parts out there. Plus it is a harder boat to sail for beginners or casual sailors, which eliminates most of our resale market. Most Laser sailors we know would want a competitive, stiff, clean hull, not a cruiser or beach banger (credit Alan again).
We went down the path of branching out to other boats, any boat, and rapidly retreated from that after fiddling with a couple of Barnett Butterflies, a Windflite and a Scorpion. Nothing is more fun to work on than a Sunfish or easier to sell.