.Where do I start ? I am in Wilmington, NC (via San Diego) and have found one place that seems to support the Laser class but it is a club that appears to be very 'Clubbish' (for lack of better word); you need a sponsor and sides, very expensive for my working class a**
I'd like to have my own Laser class soon (I see them being very affordable at first glance) but have zero clue HOW TO RACE, or how to get involved or where to start overall.
Any advice, input, direction is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance. My goal is for my son and me to enjoy the sport together (and learn together) and eventually race together
i may be out of line, but a 7 year may be better suited in an Opti. with Dad following in a Laser Radial. great way for both to get sea legs. when your son is 13 - 15 he would progress into a 4.7 Laser rig, which is the natural progression. By then Dad would be switching regularly between Full rig laser and Radial, depending on conditions. There are fleets in your area for racing, but nothing beats time in the boat.
Is the boat for yourself or your son ?
Whilst I would never suggest anybody sail anything other than a Laser, if your son is learning, might it be an idea to get a boat that can be sailed single handled or two-up; so you can sail/handicap race alone or go out with your son as well (sometimes). Its more about enjoying sailing that loving a particular type of boat.
Just a thought (no children myself so I may be way off the mark here)
Ian
OMG
http://www.sailing.org/classes/classlist.asp?MenuID=d1v`GNcDgMI/qst7vTvONMY12`V
I've opened Pandora's box .
Not really. Most of those boats aren't suitable for what you want to do. If you want to race, I suggest that you look around your region and see what racing is available--what classes of dinghies. Get into one of those classes, for how else will you have anyone to compete against. It could be the Laser. You can buy a Laser hull and get three different size sail rigs for it, so it can grow with your size and skill. You can also sail with two on it. The lessons at my club used to be given in Lasers with two sailors onboard until they switched to FJs.
I think a laser is a fine boat to start with for you and your son. The opti/laser combination is a good idea once you both are competent, but as a former instructor, I caution you against it until at least you have the confidence that you can sail your boat to where it needs to be quickly. Should he and you separate and you can't get back to him, it could become a scary situation quickly. Quoting someone from above, it is all about the enjoyment of sailing right now. Part of the enjoyment, especially for the 7 year old, is not having any scary things happen early on.
I vote for one dinghy that can be self righted and sailed away after a capsize. The laser fits that bill, but so do many others. I don't think that is the case with an opti.
I also agree that if you want to learn to race, don't pick a boat until you find out what active fleets are near you.
Just to re-enforce what others have said:
I was in your position a few years back (son now 11) We now own a Laser for me (raced at our local club) an optimist for him (raced at our local club) and a Lark for both of us (a double hander that is.... you guessed it... raced at our local club).
We also have great fun in my dad's old cruising dinghy (all three of us) just pottering around. There is NO better way than sailing for father and son to spend time together. Look forward to amazing times.