Poorly constructed boats

I am considering purchasing a late model used laser and have heard of problems with some of the boats being "leakers" etc. My last boat(I have owned 3) was a 1980(100019) built by Performance Sailcraft. Are there certain hull numbers I should stay away from regardless of condition?
 
Just some stuff I have heard over the years. The late 70s/80s built by Performance Sailcraft in Canada were pretty good, but quality dropped off from the mid 80s to early 90s (under a variety of names). Quality may have picked up a bit with Sunfish/Laser and Vanguard in the mid/late 90s, depending on who you talk to.

That being said, the condition of a boat of any age will have more to do with how it was sailed and stored than who built it.
 
Boats around the 90-120,000 sail number are relatively rare in the UK compared to much older boats and much newer boats. They do always seem to have various hull related issues (in my experience). The newer boats (150,000 and newer) seems to be a lot more durable.

As said above though how the boat has been treated and where it has been sailed is just as important as how good the initial construction was.
 
Hmm. almost but not quite Paul.
A well glued hull ( built in the morning/ lunchtime) will stand more work than one rush built ( end of shift ) pound for pound of wind/ wave/ fat arse sailor abuse.
I've opened up so many I've seen varying amounts of bonding, the only consistent area is at the outermost and visible deck / hull seam at the gunnel where quality control would've backed the boat if it had gaps.
I've popped some where the goop never quite made the turn of the deck after sqeezeing, albeit only a couple of inches here n there.
Others where the goop has double amounts that has been gunned in and squeezed out.

I'm sure the guys ( and gals ) with the guns in the hand take pride in their role but occasionally, just here n there someone got complacent.
 
Now I'm wondering how to tell the age of my boat. It has the laser stickers etc and yellow sail etc and was built somewhere in New Zealand.
Also, how do you go about upgrading cleats etc on the decking, I am thinking bout a Harken Vang system (love having good gear) and I only have a single rope guide on the deck at the base of the mast.... sorry for very un-nauticle terms here. I guess I am asking, can I just screw in anywhere or are there considerations as to what is under the fibreglass 'skin'.
 
Jonno,
under the black plastic mini handle thing on the sharp end of the floaty thing ( the fairlead on the bow of the boat ) you should be able to spy a bunch of letters and numbers.
You might not be able to see them all, you can if you unscrew the fairlead but be prepared to refit it using - gah - silicone otherwise your boat will take on a little water.
The letters tell you who built it, the numbers refer to year and hull number.
A search on here will explain the details.



YEAR

SAIL NUMBER

1977

35265 - 42273

1978

42274 - 56277

1979

56278 -72998

1980

72999 - 86490

1981

86491- 93254

1982

93255 -104928

1983

104929 -112845

1984

112846 -118022

1985

118023 -123688

1986

123689 -128595

1987

128596 -132231

1988

132232 -136322

1989

136323 -139659

1990

139660 -142789

1991

142790 -145705

1992

145706 -148322

1993

148323 -152360

1994

152361-155822

1995

155823 -158264

1996

158265 -161382

1997

161383 -164398

1998

164399 -166270

1999

166271 -168874

2000

168875 - 171536

2001

171537 - 173950

2002

173950 - 176694

2003

176695 - 179554

2004

179555 - 182213

2005

182214 - 185370

2006

185371 - 188573

2007

188575
Regarding fitting new bits, you can merely undo the clevis rings on your old kicker and immediately fit a new style with no tools etc..two minute job. For the outhaul and cunny, you will need some additional kit - ropes, blocks and the new style deckplate with the cleats. ....it's a straightforward thing to install the deckplate itself, using the screws you remove from the existing cleat (cleaned first ) and straight back in the same holes but again you need ideally sikaflex or some equivalent - gah, silicone ( marine not interior )...
I don't know why this bloody 2007 is chasing me down the page ? Sorry.
 
Thank you, thats great.
Installing the cleats is what has held me back getting the new kicker.
Although not totally simple, I wasn't sure how to go about it considering the loads that I imagine can be put on these pieces while underway. It would be my luck that while trying to make the boat better, I stuff it up.
We are isolated so don't have boat shop to run to on our small island.....
Thanks again
 

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