Laser Class Sailboats: Small But Mighty

The only thing "mini" is the boat.

When his prototype won its class in the 1970 race "America's Teacup" (for sailboats under $1000), Bruce Kirby launched a phenomenally successful one-design boat class: The Laser.

Kirby sailed his prototype under the name The Weekender. Its design had been inspired by a discussion between Kirby and a friend, Ian Bruce, about a small sailing dinghy that would fit on the roof of a car. In 1971, the boat was officially introduced at the New York Boat Show as the Laser.

Kirby's design proved instantly popular, and the first World Championship was held in 1974. 24 nations sent entrants to the event in Bermuda – and the boat had only been on the market for three years!

If you've ever sailed a Laser, you know it's fast, responsive, and fun. It's also affordable and, at only 130 pounds, easily transported on the roof of a vehicle. These were the design characteristics that Kirby was shooting for, and it's clear he hit a bull's-eye with this boat. The Laser's characteristics also make it a good boat for young sailors to learn the sport. As a result, it has remained enduringly popular with sailing and yacht clubs worldwide.

The original Laser, also known as Laser Standard and Laser One, has been recognized as a men's Olympic class boat since 1996. Despite its size (13 feet 10.5 inches) and light weight, the small-but-mighty Laser can still overpower a smaller sailor, especially in high winds or during excessive heeling.

A Laser sailor can hike out to counterbalance the heel, but at some point the sailor's weight will not be enough to do so, and he or she will end up broaching. Fortunately, the Laser is easy to right. But no one wants to dump in the middle of a race. (Yes, this happens to the best... but let's face it, everyone wants to avoid it!) Of course, a lighter-weight sailor will reach this tipping point earlier, putting him or her at a disadvantage to a heavier rival, when both are sailing close to the edge in a race.

Enter the Laser Standard's slightly smaller sisters, Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial. The hulls are, in fact, the same size. The difference is in the size and shape of the sail and the rigging, which make these boats less prone to overpower a slighter sailor. These boats are therefore ideally suited to youth and lightweight adult sailors.

Both the Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial are each recognized as separate one-design classes complete with international racing structures and World Championships. In fact, the Laser Radial is now an official one-design class for women's Olympic sailing.

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA), based in Falmouth, U.K., provides oversight and organization to racing fleets literally around the world. Every continent except Antarctica has Laser racing.

And for all you Laser sailors out there who have done a little racing and are hungry for more? Hey, ILCA has opened the applications process for the 2010 World Championships, which begin in Largs, U.K., on July 6, 2010. (No pressure, no pressure at all; I'm just saying...)