SB3

Current Specifications
LOA	6.15 m (20.2 ft)
Beam	2.15 m (7 ft 1 in)
Draft	1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Hull weight	635 kg (1,400 lb) (inc. 327 kg (720 lb) keel)
Mast height	9.05 m (29.7 ft)
Mainsail area	18 m2 (190 sq ft)
Jib / Genoa area	9.3 m2 (100 sq ft)
Spinnaker area	46 m2 (500 sq ft)

The Laser SB3 is a one-design class of sailboat commonly used for racing. Manufactured by LaserPerformance Ltd (Trading name "LaserPerformance") the boat was designed by Tony Castro and launched in 2002.

The yacht is an open keelboat and is designed for racing with a crew of up to 4 whose maximum weight must not exceed 270 kg. With a high aspect ratio keel with a very high ballast ratio the yacht is very stable, but also quite fast due to the substantial sail area. The SB3 is unique in that it does not allow hiking, using a small stainless steel bar to prevent hiking by the crew, this allows competitive crews of all shapes, sizes and ages.

The majority of boats are located in the United Kingdom and Ireland and the Class has attracted considerable support. In 2005 the SB3 became the second largest One-design fleet at the Cowes Week regatta with 66 entries. In 2006 it became the largest fleet with 89 entries pushing the XOD into second place, an accolade it has held for 2 further years.

There are over 500 boats worldwide, sailed in over 20 countries. Growth in fleets internationally enabled the class to successfully apply to ISAF for the right to host a world championship, the first of which was hosted in Dublin during 2008.

World championships

2008 Dublin, Ireland

2009 Cascais, Portugal

2010 Torbole, Italy

External links

• Class Association - Race organisation and class rules
• LaserPerformance Ltd - Manufacturer
• SB3 Italy
• SB3 Spain
• [1] Singapore Laser SB3 fleet homepage
• [2] - SB3 Sales in Australia and New Zealand