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