The Laser is a 14-foot, one-sail, single-person boat. More Lasers have been built and sailed than any other type of sailboat in the world (well over 200,000.) The Laser is a strict one-design boat, which means that all races are tests of skill and not expensive equipment. Many of the world’s top sailors honed their skills Laser racing.
A Laser can carry one of three sails, a “Standard” rig, a “Radial” (an alternative for Master sailors [over 35], lighter woman and some adolescents), and a “4.7” youth sail. It is an Olympic boat for men and woman. The QYC Laser fleet is a mix of standard and radial rigs; sailors from 18 to 61; women and men; beginners and experienced racers. The club owns four Lasers available for use by club members.
Lake Quannapowitt is a great place to learn the basics of Laser sailing and to develop your advanced boat handling and tactical sailing skills. The boat moves well in the moderate breezes of mid-summer and is thrilling on windy days. The local wind shifts and sea breeze help fine tune a total awareness of the racing environment.
And fellow Laser sailors are full of ideas and support.
The New England area (Laser District-7) has more registered Laser racers than any other in the US and offers many regattas during the summer months and “frostbite” sailing all winter. QYC Laser sailors compete in lake and ocean regattas from VT and NH, to RI and CT. The club hosts two regattas each year.
Members of the QYC Laser fleet are available to discuss Laser sailing with prospective sailors, and offer test sails to genuinely interested individuals.