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Laser pics and details

2K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  danhfvcsd 
#1 ·
Hey, sounds like a few of you are interested in boats so I thought I'd
let you know about my Laser.

The Laser is a one design boat based on the full size version, I might
be wrong but I think it's 1/4 scale at around 44" long.

There are a few things that make this boat great.
1) It's a one design boat There are a few boats like this in the RC
boat scene and basically what it means is everybody who has one
and want's to race has exactly the same boat, there are no after
market parts apart from different sails, a carry bag and a stand. The
only differences between these boats on the water are the number
on your sail, the markings on the hull (usually done with strips of
coloured electrical tape) but most importantly the person in control.
So it doesn't matter how much money you have to throw at it
because you can't. The only thing you are likely to see change on
them are the sails, there are 3 suits from a very thin short one for
strong winds, the regular one and a much larger sail with with an
extended mast. (A, B and C rigs)

2) The design is very simple so you can pull it apart and put it back
together in 5-10 minutes, there isn't heaps of rigging to mess around
with, no strings to get tangled so unlike many 1 meter boats (the
formula one of RC sailing) you can chuck it in the back of your car
without having to put the seats down. You can also get a bag for it
which makes carrying it around really easy, I've taken mine on the
tram and many people take them on aeroplanes.

Most boats of this size can't be carried around easily and i wanted
something I could transport easily without having to hassle my g/f (I
don't drive...). I looked at smaller boats and although they are easy
to transport they don't perform well in very strong or light winds
compared to larger boats. I didn't want to end up buying 2 or 3 boats
I just wanted one really good one.

3) The price, I paid 830 AUD for the boat RTR, all I needed were
batteries for the TX (8 rechargeable) and 4 for the receiver (Alkaline
for better performance with the stock 4 cell battery holder). It might
sound like a lot for something that is really very simple but it's a
fraction of the cost of a 1m (you could easily spend 1-2000 or more
with hand made custom designs and lots of carbon fibre, most
people scratch build their own from plans). Since then I've also
bought a carry bag and the C rig for strong winds, I'll probably get
the A rig at the end of the year. I'm not going to have a lot of time to
use it before winter when the winds tend to be stronger.

4) Performance and durability, this boat is pretty strong all things
considered and it performs extremely well in a wide range of
conditions. I used to live by the beach in St Kilda where you could
sail this quite happily although I generally go to Albert Park lake.

I bought my laser from www.radiosail.com.au I was probably one of
the first people to buy one here, they've been around back home in
the UK for a long time now. I had looked at buying from overseas
until these guys opened up but the price difference wasn't worth the
hassle in the end.

Anyway I'm sure most of you would rather look at a few pictures
than listen to me ramble! These were taken when we went on holiday
in Tasmania last year, unfortunately I can't find any better ones at
the moment. I'll add some close up shots later on.





 
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#2 ·
The Laser sails beautifully, this was my first proper RC sailing boat so
I had only the slightest idea what to do when I first put it in the water
but had the basics in the first 5 minutes. Although this thing can pick
up a fair speed I generally find it very relaxing to sail, I'd say RC
sailing is more like kite flying than say driving an RC car or
powerboat.

I certainly don't know all the terms but I can turn in and out of the
wind and tack quite easily, I can even make it go backwards but I
don't think you're meant to... I find sailing quite strange, i don't think
I could ever tell anyone exactly what I was doing, you kind of have
to become one with the boat and "feel" how the wind affects it, it's all
a bit zen like...

I'd be keen to catch up with anyone else in Melbourne who has a
yacht. I did run in to a few members of the Albert Park RC sailing
club but they were really arrogant and quite rude. The person who
spoke to me obviously hadn't seen a laser before. He first said it was
sailing nicely, but followed it up by saying I'd probably want to
upgrade to a boat like his after a while...
 
#3 ·
gothikon said:
I can even make it go backwards but I
don't think you're meant to...

-lmao-


mannn - i downloaded the video of how they go together - and that's what made me want one!! I just love the simplicity of it....


I'm POSSIBLY (nothing for certain - just thinking bout it atm...) moving down that way in the near future for a few months, so might be able to go for a sail with ya if i canbring down the small one i have here....or i might have to just buy a laser -lol-


Thanks for all the info and pics mate - appreciate it
Good to see another sailor here tho! (even tho i just started -lol-)Edited by: danhfvcsd
 
#4 ·
It'd be great to catch up with someone for a sail. If you are thinking
of buying a laser nothing better than trying one out before you fork
out the cash.

I'm a still probably a bit of a n00b sailor. I've probably still had less
than 48 hours sailing it, no where near as much as I'd like to.
Unfortunately we've moved across town so it's a bit harder to get
down there but should get quite a bit of sailing in over the summer.
It's like they say on the site, you can learn the basics in 5 minutes
but it takes a life time to master.

It's very low maintenance too which is good. I just dry the whole
thing off take out the batteries and put it in the bag. The only other
thing I try and remember to do is put a small wad of tissue in the
radio compartment to soak up any drips that make there way in and
I can just throw them out later.

I'd be interested to sail with a few others but my brief run in with the
people at Albert Park didn't leave me with the warm fuzzies. It's
unfortunate in many ways that most of the people in to RC sailing are
either very old and not very approachable or middle aged with a fair
bit of cash and some attitude problems. I've no doubt they're not all
like that but that covers most who I've met. RC sailing appeals to
quite a different audience from cars, planes etc...

However the people selling Lasers in Aus are really keen to get some
groups together for various events, I should check one out. Racing
would be a lot more exciting!!
 
#6 ·
Gothikon.... delete the pics in your post, and add these addresses - i resized and uploaded em for ya - they need to be 640 pixels wide, or they distort the page a lil
..... addys.....


http://www.ausrc.com/galleries/danhfvcsd/laser_1.jpg- http://www.ausrc.com/galleries/danhfvcsd/laser_2.jpg- http://www.ausrc.com/galleries/danhfvcsd/laser_3.jpg- http://www.ausrc.com/galleries/danhfvcsd/laser_4.jpg- http://www.ausrc.com/galleries/danhfvcsd/laser_5.jpg


Well -looks like i'm moving down to Melbourne shortly
unfotunately i wont have room for my boat - so it'll have to stay i think
but hey - that just means i can start saving for a laser huh? -lol-


Mate - i am absolute total n00b with sailing too - i've had maybe 6 hours on the water so far? -lol- but yeah, i totally agree - it's pretty easy to pick up the hang of it, but yeah, was looking at the fellas racing the other day and it certainly seems like there's alot more to it than just what it appears if you look hard enough -lol-


I hear ya on the other sailors being rude pricks issue -lol- But i was actually pretty lucky with that.... all the guys i met were really helpful, and one fella with a 'marblehead' even offered us a try of his boat while he went for a drive to get drinks! -lol- Spose it's a bit more laid back in this area tho - not as rushed as down that way maybe, which might influenece the oldies? -lol-
 
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