Your feedback

From Frederico Pinheiro, Portugal
What would you do differently? I would lengthen (and perhaps increase the height slightly) of the grab bars to prevent any temptation for the helmsman to hike out, and at the same time to make them more comfortable as a sort of back rest. Make place for a cold box for some food and wine and beers. I'd like to use it as a day-boat for outings with wife and daughter. A place for a light anchor and rode. A floor plan clear enough of fittings and foot braces to allow the deployment of some sunbathing cushions. Limits on crew weight, but not necessarily crew numbers (I'd like to race with my 7 year-old daughter riding shotgun and/or with my wife). Do introduce weight correction measures as in the Laser 4000. Strict limits on sails.

Furthermore I'd really like to see Laser produce the boats in a lot of different colours just like the first Lasers were. Modern dinghy sailors always want white boats to make it harder for them to be caught over the line at the start, but I think that if you're over the line you should be caught so there. My more dictatorial side would even go so far as to make it compulsory for any fleet to have a strictly limited percentage of white boats, but for that you really do have to have a wide choice of attractive colours available.

From Dan Blight
Was it worth the effort for 100 kilos? 100kgs is money in the bank. Don't think of it in terms of decreased wetted surface, but more like a reduced weight to accelerate. Every time she hits a wave, pitches over one, or surfs down one, there is that much less mass to accelerate. It might also be the incentive that builders need to start using this method for the average man.

From Ian Renilson
Fairer than the Endeavour ? Handicap events: Any handicap event is inherently 'unfair' and can only be viewed as a fun event. The conditions (and handicaps) play far too big a part in determining who will win. Single Class Events: Everyone sailing the same type of boat is 'fair' because everyone starts with the same equipment and the boats have the same capability to go the same speed in any conditions.

It is true that people sailing that boat regularly have an advantage - but this can be minimised by spending some time in the boat before the event - and it is marginal in comparison to the difference in speed between boats in different classes in different conditions. Think about the difference in speed between planing an not planing. Now realise that every boat starts planing at a different wind strength. Furthermore, many do not plane upwind in any wind strength. It is not possible to have a handicap system that caters for all the variables in sailing - and we should not put too much effort into 'perfecting' such a system. It will almost always be 'wrong' (except when you win!). It is not possible for a World Champion in one class to beat a decent Club sailor in another class, if the conditions and handicaps are not suitable.

The only thing that really matters is class racing. Handicap racing is just for fun and cannot be taken seriously. I've been to the Scottish Champion of Champions many times and mostly enjoyed it as a fun event - although its very frustrating in conditions that don't suit your boat. I've also been to the Endeavour three times, and I know that it is a completely different type of event - much more serious, with level of competition light years ahead of any Handicap event. The Endeavour Trophy and the Scottish Champion of Champions are not remotely comparable.

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