Laser 2000 (dinghy)
Encyclopedia
The Laser 2000 is a performance sailing dinghy
designed and sold by Laser Performance
(formerly Performance Sailcraft). It combines a traditional GRP hull and foam sandwich deck moulding with a modern asymmetric rig including a furling jib, reefing mainsail and single line gennaker hoist system.
A high boom provides plenty of headroom whilst the self-draining cockpit keeps the crew dry and drains quickly should the boat capsize.
The 2000 has established an enviable record as a resilient and versatile design; docile and forgiving for novices yet an exhilarating sail for more advanced sailors.
Since its introduction in 1998 more than 2,200 boats have been built.
in 1997 and launched in 1998. The design was informed by Morrison's earlier experimental Gemini design he had designed and built with Bill Twine and Nick Lightbody at Berwick
in Sussex
UK
in 1979. Only 3 Geminis were constructed. The Laser 2000 external hull shape is very similar to the Gemini but the construction and rig is much improved.
is built from glass-reinforced plastic
foam sandwich and the spar
s from aluminium. The hull has been made in a range of colours but so far the deck moulding and hull below waterline have always been Vela Grey. The most common topsides are Purple, Navy Blue and Race Blue, but examples of Yellow, Charcoal Grey and Vela Grey (generally known as 'White') boats can also be found.
.
Sail numbers are situated on the main
and numbering started at 2000. Issued numbers range 2000-2999 and 21000 onwards.
Dinghy sailing
Dinghy sailing is the activity of sailing small boats by using five essential controls:* the sails* the foils ....
designed and sold by Laser Performance
Laser Performance
-History:Up until around 2007, boats were built under the Laser brand name by several boat builders each allocated an exclusive geographic sales region. The builders were Performance Sailcraft Europe, Performance Sailcraft Australia and Vanguard...
(formerly Performance Sailcraft). It combines a traditional GRP hull and foam sandwich deck moulding with a modern asymmetric rig including a furling jib, reefing mainsail and single line gennaker hoist system.
A high boom provides plenty of headroom whilst the self-draining cockpit keeps the crew dry and drains quickly should the boat capsize.
The 2000 has established an enviable record as a resilient and versatile design; docile and forgiving for novices yet an exhilarating sail for more advanced sailors.
Since its introduction in 1998 more than 2,200 boats have been built.
History
The Laser 2000 was commissioned by Performance Sailcraft and designed by Phil MorrisonPhil Morrison (yachts)
Phil Morrison is a British boat designer and racer rendered notable by the success of his many designs in many classes since 1967 as well as his own distinguished yacht racing career.He was born in Eastbourne, England....
in 1997 and launched in 1998. The design was informed by Morrison's earlier experimental Gemini design he had designed and built with Bill Twine and Nick Lightbody at Berwick
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1979. Only 3 Geminis were constructed. The Laser 2000 external hull shape is very similar to the Gemini but the construction and rig is much improved.
Construction
The hullHull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
is built from glass-reinforced plastic
Glass-reinforced plastic
Fiberglass , is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass. It is also known as GFK ....
foam sandwich and the spar
Spar
In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a...
s from aluminium. The hull has been made in a range of colours but so far the deck moulding and hull below waterline have always been Vela Grey. The most common topsides are Purple, Navy Blue and Race Blue, but examples of Yellow, Charcoal Grey and Vela Grey (generally known as 'White') boats can also be found.
Features
The Laser 2000 hosts a number of convenience and family-oriented features:- Single-line hoist system for the gennakerGennakerA gennaker is a sail that was developed around 1990. Used when sailing downwind, it is a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker. It is asymmetric like a genoa, but the gennaker is not attached to the forestay like a jib or genoa. The gennaker is rigged like a spinnaker but the tack is fastened to...
- Furling jibJibA jib is a triangular staysail set ahead of the foremast of a sailing vessel. Its tack is fixed to the bowsprit, to the bow, or to the deck between the bowsprit and the foremost mast...
allows easy storage of jibJibA jib is a triangular staysail set ahead of the foremast of a sailing vessel. Its tack is fixed to the bowsprit, to the bow, or to the deck between the bowsprit and the foremost mast...
for downwind sailing and single-handed operation - Configurable for single- or double-handed sailing
- Foam sandwich hull construction uses glass-reinforced plasticGlass-reinforced plasticFiberglass , is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass. It is also known as GFK ....
s to save weight and increase buoyancy over plywood & fiberglass construction - Large cockpit allows for up to four passengers, suitable for competitiveDinghy racingDinghy racing is the competitive sport of sailing dinghies. Dinghy racing has affected aspects of the modern dinghy, including hull design, sail materials and sailplan, and techniques such as planing and trapezing.-Organisation of dinghy racing:...
or pleasure sailingDinghy sailingDinghy sailing is the activity of sailing small boats by using five essential controls:* the sails* the foils .... - A single trapeze system, with lower shrouds, is available, though this must be removed for events run under the class rules.
Identification
A red Laser 2000 logo is printed on the jibJib
A jib is a triangular staysail set ahead of the foremast of a sailing vessel. Its tack is fixed to the bowsprit, to the bow, or to the deck between the bowsprit and the foremost mast...
.
Sail numbers are situated on the main
Mainsail
A mainsail is a sail located behind the main mast of a sailing vessel.On a square rigged vessel, it is the lowest and largest sail on the main mast....
and numbering started at 2000. Issued numbers range 2000-2999 and 21000 onwards.