WHAT'S NEW
Well, it is winter, even in the Med: Kyriacos Shiali writes from Larnaca, Cyprus, about the damage caused to a couple of Laser dinghies, Blue and Baby Blue (among others) by high winds and waves. You can read more about this here on the Wayfarer Cyprus blog.
Kyriacos says: "A month ago a strong wind damaged our boats and now we are trying to find some parts to fix them, mainly we are looking for the mast. One for the 13 and one for the 16 complete with the stay wire, the spreader etc. Unfortunately I do not have a part locator for the Lasers.
"Attached are some pictures from the disaster. We would much appreciate your support."
There are two Lasers in here somewhere:
Kyriacos can be reached at kyriacos@papaetis.com or of course you can contact me and I'll pass on the message.
Christmas 2009
England had snow, as you can see on the Broadwater Sailing Club webcam image (left) from the afternoon of 23 December.
After which it began pouring down - which would at least clear the ground and top up the lake for the annual Boxing Day race, in aid of the RNLI (for non-UK visitors that's the day after Christmas Day, and the national lifeboat service - remarkably, a charity staffed by volunteers).
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and here's to fine sailing in 2010.
To put us in the cruising spirit here's a link to a blog featuring the lovely Gull dinghy.
Cheers!
November 2009
Horrible weather! Anyone been out?
I spent a morning along with dozens of others clearing up the boat park at Broadwater Sailing Club, removing old trailers and building up the annual bonfire of former vanities....
We also had our annual South Coast rally - in yachts. Do other dinghy clubs do this? As some members of the club also own and/or sail bigger boats we have annual get-togethers on the South Coast in the autumn and East Coast in the spring.
There were six yachts, the highlight being Hallowe'en night with a fancy dress dinner up at The Folly Inn on the Isle of Wight. Enough said, for those who know it; for those who do not, well, let's just say the tables are for dancing on as well as eating off.
The following morning brought pouring rain and a southerly 47 knots straight down the Medina River. And it feels as though it has been like that ever since!
So, hands up all those who reckon that's probably it for the winter. Does anyone race their Laser 13 or 16 in winter series, or carry on cruising all year round in the UK? Let me know. It would be interesting to feature your experiences. Luckier souls in warmer climes are probably feeling smug.
Map additions, September 2009
Welcome to the latest owners, both in Spain as it happens. Javier Prieto writes to say he has a Laser 16 in Santander, in the Real Club Maritimo de Santander. Sailing regularly (see photo).
I see the boat is called El Paseante, which I think in English is something like The Walker or more poetically perhaps The Voyager.
And over in the Med, Jose Miguel Del Rio keeps his at Cabo de Palos, Cartagena, near Murcia. He says: "It's a very old one (at least it looks as very old) and have been able to recuperate part of her story that is very interesting - for example: it has been used to make the hull of another boat in Spain."
He adds: "Effectively the shape has been used as a male mould for a new boat that was sold in Spain many years ago. It was called Serviola 17. If I'm not wrong it was a small shipyard that closed their doors some years ago." Anyone know anything more?
Jose also asks where best to buy good secondhand spars and sails. Any tips? I have suggested this site, the Forum and Super Spars.
Anyway, those locations are now on our 'where are the boats?' world map.
Nippy
I spent some time in August '09 at a little island in Minnesota in the US. It was a bit too far to trail my 13, but my hosts there did have an old Sunfish dinghy (see photo).
Tagged "the most popular recreational sailboat in history" by the manufacturer - which is the very same Laser Performance - this "board boat" design is about the same length as the Laser 13 but much narrower and shallower - yet can still carry a remarkable number of people.
Nippy, albeit with pronounced weather helm when single-handed, in my experience. But a really simple lateen rig and fun to sail.
It is a derivative of the even more slender Sailfish, which in 1945 was one of the early attempts to answer the question: "How to put a sail on a surfboard?"
There is a very active class association.
Ouch!
How unlucky can you get? Colin Buick got in touch to say would I advertise his Laser 16 for sale. The brief details included, "Hull damaged in fire may be repairable."
I asked him how bad it was. You can read about what happened, with photos, here. It is not a pretty sight. It's also a warning to us all....
Sail numbers
I have posted some new information on the Technical page (Laser 13 & 16 FAQ) about sail numbers - but don't get too excited.
Away to play
Fuzzy Duck went to Essex for the 2009 Spring bank holiday weekend.
We sailed out of the very friendly and helpful Wivenhoe Sailing Club on the Colne [link to Google aerial image/map].My thanks to Grahame Hill in particular.
So we did get stuck in the mud in Alresford Creek - apparently everyone does!
But Fuzzy finally floated off and we had a great time camping along the shore and introducing some friends and their children to sailing.
Good fun. Just what Laser cruising is all about.
Mobile
Tips on fitting a Laser 16 homebuilt jockey wheel, with the owner's photos.
Where are we?
There is a world map showing Laser 16 and 13 locations. I had the idea that it would be good to show just how widespread and active a bunch we Laser 16/13 owners are.
However, I had not imagined it would throw up a tale as remarkable as this. Click here to read on ...
View larger version in new window
It uses Google Maps. Some people have helpfully added "reports of" other boats. I'm keeping an open mind about that approach for the time being - but ideally let's have your name, boat number / name and maybe a comment about where you sail? It is possible to add links (to local dinghy club websites, for example) within your entry.
Winding up the Laser Cruising Association
At an EGM held after the AGM at Ullswater Yacht Club on 5 May 2008 members agreed to dissolve the Laser Cruising Association.
I intend to continue the site as a focus for information about the Laser 16 and Laser 13 cruising dinghies in particular, and to provide a forum for wanted/for sale items. It will gradually be rebuilt.
And the forum remains active as a terrific source of help and information.