From the feedback - 3/5/01

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From Luke McEwen
Do all you Laser 4000 sailors think we were fair to your baby? More recent experience shows the 4000 has a somewhat fragile mast but is otherwise very hard-wearing (especially the mainsail as noted in the original article). Not a lot has to be done to a new boat to get it to racing trim (as you would hope for a racing class), unlike (say) the RS400, but Proctor's build quality of the mast is dodgy; spreaders and fittings need filing down to fit together.

The fleet racing (typically 40-80 boats at each event) is very close as everyone goes at similar speeds. Most of the difference between the "good guys" (and girls) and the rest is on the start line and timing and execution of manoeuvres downwind. Despite their policy shift towards the leisure/beginner market, Laser still actively support the class, turning up with spares to most major events, which makes a big difference to the "convenience level" of the class. For this reason a lot of the fleet is made up of people who wouldn't have time to fiddle about with a lovely varnished boat or a development class, just wanting to get out racing with minimum fuss.

Having said that, the class also attracts a lot of less "cash-rich, time poor" sailors since a race-winning boat can be bought for well under £4000 and TV-driven sponsorship allows many sailors access to (the otherwise very expensive) new sails. The 4000 is, thanks to its weight equalisation system, particularly popular with women crews and bigger helms, making for a lively social scene. The class website is the place for all information.

From H Carr
Do all you Laser 4000 sailors think we were fair to your baby? She is indeed an absolute beauty to sail, very exhilarating. After this weekend though, I think something should be done about the mast. It is incredibly prone to snapping and could definitely do with a re-design. Might bring the price up a bit, but will save lots of money and keep insurance companies happy in the long run.

From Jo Morrison
Do all you Laser 4000 sailors think we were fair to your baby? Yes, overall a fair appraisal. We own one of the oldest boats on the circuit (4052) and (when sailed well) is just as fast and water-tight as the brand new boats. I'm a small and inexperienced crew (56kg, two seasons sailing) and find it very manageable and the kite loads good (unlike the RS800 which I've also tried). The other circuit sailors are very friendly with lots of mixed crews due to the weight equalisation system. Great social events and lots of support for learners with class association run training weekends and advise on the web page. This is our second season and I'd recommend the boat to anyone, as long as you don't mind a bit of swimming to start. Oh, we normally manage to get the boat up with the 70kg helm on the centreboard and me inside the boat, unless very windy.

From Dominic
Do all you Laser 4000 sailors think we were fair to your baby? "Wild ride" pah! Get rid of all that rocker, build to a sensible weight and THEN you will get a wild ride out of it. They don't call them '4 tonners' for nothing. But then, that might scare off the punters.