Laser 2

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Current Specifications
File:Laser II under spinnaker.jpg
Crew 2 (single trapeze
LOA 4,370 mm (172 in)
Beam 1,420 mm (56 in)
Hull weight 76 kg (170 lb)
Mainsail area 11.52 m2 (124.0 sq ft)
Spinnaker area 10.2 m2 (110 sq ft)

The Laser 2 is a double-handed version of the popular Laser one-design class of small sailing dinghy. It is a quick, planing dinghy that differs from the laser in that it has a jib, symmetric spinnaker and a trapeze for the crew. It was designed by Australian Frank Bethwaite and was first launched as a product in Australia then North America in 1979 and in Europe in 1980. The hull is made of GRP (glass reinforced plastic). The rig is a Bermudian rig sloop with spinnaker. It is designed to be a mid to high performance racer. In Britain, its most common current use is at university class in British University Sailing Association (BUSA) events. A version known as the Laser Fun was available, the same hull but featuring a reefable mainsail and a roller furling jib, and with the option of an asymmetric spinnaker (Laser Fun New Wave).

As a strict one-design boat the Laser 2 is not available for amateur construction; the boat has also been discontinued as a result of the 2007 merger of its manufacturers Laser UK and Vanguard Sailboats into Laser Performance Sailing. The Laser Vago which features a gennaker and has been designed to be sailed single-handed as well as double-handed, is considered by some as a replacement. Frank Bethwaite's hull design for the Laser 2 was married to a new deck and rig to produce the Laser 3000 in 1996, which has since gone on to form the basis of the 3000 Class.

External links

de:Laser II (Bootsklasse)