As you may remember, I stumbled upon one about a year ago. I could go someday to see if it's still there (it appeared to be very abandoned), this time with a camera
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Special Edition Lasers
- Thread starter LuckyJack
- Start date
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There is a Millennium edition (sail number 169092) for sale here:
It looks more or less like a standard Black Magic with black spars but with "gold?" grab rails in the cockpit and Millennium graphics iby the daggerboard case.
It looks more or less like a standard Black Magic with black spars but with "gold?" grab rails in the cockpit and Millennium graphics iby the daggerboard case.
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Phillipbennett
Member
The Graffiti! So happy to have seen a photo. Thank you for that. It still blows my mind I saw one all those years ago still in a box that it came brand new in. Wonder where it is now.
Thanks for all those photos, a few models I had not seen before!
Thanks for all those photos, a few models I had not seen before!
Congrats for this post!
I used the image & proportions of a laser savannah and made some "similar" decals.
Some may said It´s not perfetc... missing some shades, and the a vinil is not in the exact color...
But I´m pretty happy with my "new laser"...
...and she´s even faster!
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Artist Marian Bantjes and LP did a special edition in 2010
They made 12. I wonder who has them and where they are...
www.wallpaper.com
They made 12. I wonder who has them and where they are...
Changing tack: Laser sailboat, by Marian Bantjes and Laser Performance
Wallpaper* wanted a boat, and if we couldn’t have a gin palace, it had to be a design classic. We called on ocean-loving designer and regular Wallpaper* contributor Marian Bantjes to produce plans for a graphically enhanced Case class dinghy, and she d...
www.wallpaper.com
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Personally, I would be surprised if they sold many of them at all.
At £10,000, ten years ago, that is a huge premium on a full race spec Laser now, let alone then. I would imagine, if you wanted one like that, you could have got a vinyl wrap done much more cheaply than that!
And it is unlikely that either hull or sail would be class legal, so I don'tthink that a racer would have bought one. However, there is no accounting for taste and people's wallets, so it is possible that they sold them all.
The article here has a little more detail
Laser Sailboat - Marian Bantjes
Here are some more photos of the wrapping process. In the background, you can see another wrapped hull, so it looks as though at least 2 were made if not the full 12.
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JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
Hi guys.
I’m new to the forum and back to sailing after a few years out.
I’ve just picked up a new-to-me laser that I think might be a limited edition of sorts. It’s a savannah Ben Ainslie edition. Sail number 160553, the serial number on the transom shows it’s a laser performance UK boat from 1996.
It’s getting a good clean up and some new rigging and then all being well I’ll be out on the water this autumn.
I’ve attached some photos. If anyone knows anything more about these Lasers I’d be keen to hear about it.
Thanks
John.
I’m new to the forum and back to sailing after a few years out.
I’ve just picked up a new-to-me laser that I think might be a limited edition of sorts. It’s a savannah Ben Ainslie edition. Sail number 160553, the serial number on the transom shows it’s a laser performance UK boat from 1996.
It’s getting a good clean up and some new rigging and then all being well I’ll be out on the water this autumn.
I’ve attached some photos. If anyone knows anything more about these Lasers I’d be keen to hear about it.
Thanks
John.
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Phillipbennett
Member
That's new to me! Is that sail number imprinted into the deck?
Nice looking boat
Nice looking boat
Shouldn't be as that's a post-1983 PSE boat. But it's on the IYRU sticker visible in the first picture.
Must have been a celebratory (or is that a "signature"?) edition for Ainslie's silver medal in Savannah. Quite a rarity probably.
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JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
Thanks guys.
It’s getting a good scrub at the moment and some gelcoat touch ups here and there.
It’s IYRU plaque/sticker has its sail number on it and the laser plaque on the other side shows it to be a laserperformance/performance sailcraft boat. The full serial number is moulded into the transom. I can get a photo of that if people are interested.
It came with the standard rig and what I think is it’s original sail- no ILCA button but with the 3.8 new numbers patch so pre 2001 I think ?
The XD pack on it is the original 2001 Holt pack from the original release I think - it’s imprinted with the laser logo on the deck plate for the xd cleats and on the kicker body so it should all be class legal.
It’s exciting to hear it’s perhaps a bit special, always nice to be preserving something a bit different !
Just need to get fit and sail it now !
It’s getting a good scrub at the moment and some gelcoat touch ups here and there.
It’s IYRU plaque/sticker has its sail number on it and the laser plaque on the other side shows it to be a laserperformance/performance sailcraft boat. The full serial number is moulded into the transom. I can get a photo of that if people are interested.
It came with the standard rig and what I think is it’s original sail- no ILCA button but with the 3.8 new numbers patch so pre 2001 I think ?
The XD pack on it is the original 2001 Holt pack from the original release I think - it’s imprinted with the laser logo on the deck plate for the xd cleats and on the kicker body so it should all be class legal.
It’s exciting to hear it’s perhaps a bit special, always nice to be preserving something a bit different !
Just need to get fit and sail it now !
JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
Re the number on the deck. It’s in some sort of permanent marker. Acetone got it off but the sail-number was inked onto everything. Spars, foils, the hull.
I guess either the previous owner was paranoid about theft or it perhaps competed at a large regatta or similar and he wanted to keep track of his things.
I guess either the previous owner was paranoid about theft or it perhaps competed at a large regatta or similar and he wanted to keep track of his things.
Sorry, I misunderstood the word "imprinted", and didn't look closely enough at the last picture 
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The 1996 sails didn't have a button, but I have a '99 sail that has it, so it was introduced at some time between those years.
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JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
Not a worry at all. I’m not sure how they get the serial number plates onto the boats. It’s recessed into the transom so perhaps they’re a stamped plate that goes into the mould when they’re built ?Sorry, I misunderstood the word "imprinted", and didn't look closely enough at the last picture
The 1996 sails didn't have a button, but I have a '99 sail that has it, so it was introduced at some time between those years.
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That makes more sense with the sails, I’ve been fortunate enough to win a pair of good condition mk1 sails on eBay which have got the buttons so they would be then. I understand the sails need to have the class button and laser patch on them to be ‘race legal’ for class events now?
With the changes and updates to the class rule book I’ve been trying to make sure everything I buy or do to the boat is within the rules so that if I ever get to go to a regatta it’ll pass measurement.
on the bright side, a camcleat now being allowed in the toestrap line for adjustment feels like it’ll make a real difference to getting the feel right on the water.
Yes, and remember that "class events" include all sailing that counts as "racing". Contrary to what many think, there are no different rules for different levels of racing.
That said, sails from the "buttonless" era have never ceased to be legal. Fortunately it's rather easy to tell them apart from more recent fakes.
YES. Not that only the most high-end Laser regattas have anything that could be called "measurement", nor that passing that doesn't mean that your boat is actually completely legal (another common misunderstanding), but HEY, at least
someone has read the class rules! And it's the principle that counts I already bought a cleat for this but probably won't install it... I basically hike with legs fairly straight, with the strap close to my toes, so if I need a tighter position, I just move the strap to the ankles, or even hike with legs crossed.
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JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
That all makes a lot of sense. The pre-button sail is the least crisp of them so would be for bad days at club level only. My main concern with legacy kit isn’t so much that it’s not class legal but that the measurement at regattas relies on the experience of the measurers. With the class getting on for 50 years old there’s got to be all sorts of stuff that was original at some point and thus legal but wouldn’t look quite right to someone who hadn’t been technically involved in the class for a long time ?Yes, and remember that "class events" include all sailing that counts as "racing". Contrary to what many think, there are no different rules for different levels of racing.
That said, sails from the "buttonless" era have never ceased to be legal. Fortunately it's rather easy to tell them apart from more recent fakes.
YES. Not that only the most high-end Laser regattas have anything that could be called "measurement", nor that passing that doesn't mean that your boat is actually completely legal (another common misunderstanding), but HEY, at least
I already bought a cleat for this but probably won't install it... I basically hike with legs fairly straight, with the strap close to my toes, so if I need a tighter position, I just move the strap to the ankles, or even hike with legs crossed.
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I understand your point about measurement pass at one event not being a statement of total compliance. I imagine that the amount of boats they have to examine and the time they must thus have limits the amount of investigation they can do. Likewise I imagine if they were left with a boat for a few days they’d be able to find everything about it that might need correcting to be ‘truly class legal’. My only hope would be that the hull as supplied from the factory would meet class rules.
Re no genuine/legal kit; it’s a conflicting one to me as a casual racer. I enjoy my sailing and I want it to be as affordable and accessible to others as possible. I can see how replica/replacement parts allow that.
But, I chose to race in a one design class knowing that in theory every boat is (broadly) identical so it’s down to my skill as a sailor. It may be petty but I think it’d bother me to lose out on race places to someone who’s kitted their boat out with a better/newer sail of a non-genuine nature thus perhaps gaining an unfair advantage.
torrid
Just sailing
Being a wrap, presumably it could be undone with the gelcoat underneath relatively undamaged. I would guess that is what they did to ultimately sell them. Along with a different sail.
Phillipbennett
Member
Is this another Graffiti? The pictures above have yellow/purple but this has blue/purple. Same spray pattern though.
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Phillipbennett
Member
Here is another that I have now confirmed. We had a Laser (sold last month - 14XXXX) that had Hi Tech next to the main sheet block and then stickers on the hull side as well. No other differences to a 'normal' Laser. This made me think it was just someone putting stickers on. I just saw an advert for another in the UK which confirms to some degree that it is a standalone version. Final picture is the one from an advert with a slightly different colour, unless mine was faded.
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JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
Quick question for the oracles on here.
I’ve got the Ben Ainslie Savannah laser posted on here. It’s got some fairly deep scratches on the hull and its showing its age (1996).
I’d be keen to understand if it’s possible for a boat repairer to preserve the limited edition graphics and refinish the hull and indeed if cosmetic refinishing/ maintenance is seen as permissible within the class rules (not trying to fair or finish the hull in a manner that removes mould imperfections or create a speed advantage through application of a finish. Just hate looking at a nice boat scratched to death).
Not sure how this would be achieved though. I’m guessing sanding the finish down till there’s just the deep stuff left and then fill it with a colour matched gelcoat and flat off/polish the whole thing to look factory fresh.
Sorry if this is in the wrong thread- just keen to understand if this is something generally done to refresh older boats for competition (within the class rules) and looking nice before I go bothering boat repairers for cost quotes etc.
Thanks,
John.
I’ve got the Ben Ainslie Savannah laser posted on here. It’s got some fairly deep scratches on the hull and its showing its age (1996).
I’d be keen to understand if it’s possible for a boat repairer to preserve the limited edition graphics and refinish the hull and indeed if cosmetic refinishing/ maintenance is seen as permissible within the class rules (not trying to fair or finish the hull in a manner that removes mould imperfections or create a speed advantage through application of a finish. Just hate looking at a nice boat scratched to death).
Not sure how this would be achieved though. I’m guessing sanding the finish down till there’s just the deep stuff left and then fill it with a colour matched gelcoat and flat off/polish the whole thing to look factory fresh.
Sorry if this is in the wrong thread- just keen to understand if this is something generally done to refresh older boats for competition (within the class rules) and looking nice before I go bothering boat repairers for cost quotes etc.
Thanks,
John.
kellymac24
New Member
What exactly needs to be done to it? I've restored quite a few lasers without having to sand
kellymac24
New Member
What exactly needs to be done to it? I've restored quite a few lasers without having to sand. Where are you located? Moorhouse in NJ does a really good job with lasers
beldar boathead
Well-Known Member
To truly restore it you’d fill all the scratches and gouges with gelcoat, smooth it then polish the hull. But the gelcoat may be faded so the new gelcoat would probably stand out from the old.
I think the OP is from closed to the “original” Jersey vs. New Jersey.
I think the OP is from closed to the “original” Jersey vs. New Jersey.
JohnH- Laser 160553
New Member
Thanks for the advice guys.
I’m in the original city of York. Not so grand as yours but more old stuff to look at if you like that sort of thing.
it’s a 96 boat in dawn grey so I imagine the colour will have faded. I’m being pedantic no doubt but getting back to racing in a nice boat with nice new lines and a decent sail, I’d like to have a nice fresh, smooth hull to go with it (sadly don’t have the sort of coin needed for a new ILCA boat).
It sounds like there’ll probably be a boatyard out there who will sort out the scratches and colour match the gelcoat for me. I’m sure it’s possible to do a very good diy fix but I’m not sure my skills/patience are that good !
The previous owner was attempting to sail it on the sea and was leaving the boat in the surf on a concrete slip whilst he got his trolley from above high tide apparently
The boat was a cheap find so it’s not the end of the world and to be honest I’m surprised it’s not in worse shape-just the sort of beach boat bottom condition.
Its a dry hull so it’s a job for this winter likely once I’m back into sailing and sure I want to keep it.
I’m in the original city of York. Not so grand as yours but more old stuff to look at if you like that sort of thing.
it’s a 96 boat in dawn grey so I imagine the colour will have faded. I’m being pedantic no doubt but getting back to racing in a nice boat with nice new lines and a decent sail, I’d like to have a nice fresh, smooth hull to go with it (sadly don’t have the sort of coin needed for a new ILCA boat).
It sounds like there’ll probably be a boatyard out there who will sort out the scratches and colour match the gelcoat for me. I’m sure it’s possible to do a very good diy fix but I’m not sure my skills/patience are that good !
The previous owner was attempting to sail it on the sea and was leaving the boat in the surf on a concrete slip whilst he got his trolley from above high tide apparently
The boat was a cheap find so it’s not the end of the world and to be honest I’m surprised it’s not in worse shape-just the sort of beach boat bottom condition.
Its a dry hull so it’s a job for this winter likely once I’m back into sailing and sure I want to keep it.
Laserupstateny
New Member
I used to own a black 1987 laser. Was this what the "black magic" laser was?
(I added the red stripe to it, that did not come with it)
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"Black Magic" was PSE's (the European builder at the time) marketing name for their black boats from the late 1980s on. The spars were originally black, too. I don't think it was used by other builders, including the Canadian one who most likely built your boat.
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Laserupstateny
New Member
Makes sense, didn't come with black spars and it was indeed a ZID (Laser International) that was produced in Canada. Thank you for clearing that up!