Laser keelboat debuts at Southampton Show

Laser enter the crowded small 'sports boat' market with their latest design

The new Laser Keelboat, in the form of the wooden prototype, is expected to make an appearance at the Southampton Boat Show on Friday 20 September.

Laser's new boat is bound to draw comparisons with the RS K6 small keelboat which went on sale at the beginning of the year and took part in Cowes Week in the Sports Boat class, something Laser have said they will be aiming their new keelboat at. The K6 caused some comment from Flying Fifteen enthusiasts quick to defend their longtime classic against the carbon rigged/asymmetric sailed, updating of their particular theme.

Laser have been careful to try to distance such comparisons by stressing that the design brief was to produce 'a fast and exhilarating three man keelboat with mainsail, jib and asymmetric gennaker, which will look and feel like a proper yacht'.

Certainly there are considerable differences; the boat is longer, wider and heavier, to set against which it has a larger sail area than the K6; 26.5 compared with 19.7sqm for the K6. In fact the new Laser is nearer in concept to the American 1997 Sailing World Boat of the Year - the Viper 640 - which Rondar were rumored to be considering building. This American design is the same length but wider than the Laser, with bulb keel and asymmetric rig and a few have been imported into the UK.

Laser have said that 'Sailing trials so far have indicated that the new boat has achieved that perfect balance between the motion, stability and security of a thoroughbred yacht, with the rudder feel and downwind dynamics (and speed) of a performance dinghy'.

They add; "Laser's new 'sports boat' can be towed behind the average family car, launched from a slipway, quickly rigged by two people and enjoyed by all age groups. It will be sailed as a class, to strict one-design rules, but will also measure to the Sports Boat rule for handicap regatta sailing".

The keel (290kgs) is lifted by a small plug-in crane to allow easy retrieval onto a trailer and true to its dayboat configuration the cockpit is open with plenty of room for the intended three man crew.

The sub-Melges market seems to be the latest niche and if you consider the RS K6 to be too much of an overgrown dinghy than the new Laser keelboat could be what your looking for. The finished product will be ready to tow away and race in early 2002. The price band for a complete boat ready to sail (excluding trailer) will be between £12,000 and £13,000 including VAT depending on the final specification.

Laser are at stand E39 at the Southampton Boat Show, call them on 023 8022 2844 to check out which berth the keelboat will be at.

Specification and photo on page 2......