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.
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.