Solo vs. Laser dinghy

[slawosz]

I am new to dinghy sailing, and I am currently sailing my club Lasers. I am thinking about getting one for myself, but some people in my club suggested I should try Solo - we have large Solo fleet. I am happy with Laser, but not completely closed to the idea. I am looking for your opinions - ideally from someone who sailed both dinghies.

 

[Thistle]

You are in a fortunate position in having a large Solo fleet as well as access to Lasers. Speak to some of the Solo sailors and see if anyone will let you have a go. You'll get a much better idea by trying the boat yourself than by asking on here.

FWIW I sail a Laser and find it more comfortable to sail and easier to right than a Solo but I'm aware that others hold opposite views.

 

[jwilson]

Laser significantly faster, put a relatively cheap new sail on an old hull and you are as 99.9% as fast as a new boat, though for serious racing the sails don't last that long. Solo more technical, lots of minor variations.

I've given up dinghies, but my favourite just for fun boats were Lasers, once I'd learnt how to do downwind and gybe them in a strong wind without capsizing (mostly anyway).

 

[Iain C]

If you're looking to race, probably go for the boat that has the higher turnout. Personally, I hate Lasers, I hate the way that they are a "strict one design" but there's now variations in sail cut (not just size) and whether you run a folded or rolled sail, or for that matter even an illegal practice sail, all the various "official" XD go faster goodies, coupled with inherent handling flaws, design flaws you're not allowed to fix (transom bridle) with a piece of bungee or tape, and that fact that the hulls aren't carrying correctors and therefore aren't the same weight makes it a pretty horrible proposition in my book. But...and it's a big but...sometimes 25 boats regularly out for a Wednesday night race at my club is hard to argue with and begrudgingly if I wan in the market for a single hander, it would probably be a Laser for the racing only.

I think the Solo is a much nicer boat in many ways, with much more scope to have it set up in the way you like it, and buy your foils/fittings/sails/masts from whoever you want. They are probably better value too...Lasers are often horrendously over priced for what you are actually getting for your money.

It really does just depend on how you intend to sail/race it. If you're not bothered about fleet racing, ans assuming you want a single sailed hiker, there's also lots of other choices out there such as the Supernova which is a nice boat , and of course the RS Aero which is enjoying a very well growth...it's a really nicely thought out design.

 

[steve62]

I have a problem with my back which means it will not bend properly.

The last time i tried to sail a laser (admittedly a club boat not well set up) i had some real issues tacking in a bit of wind. To get under the boom, I had to release the kicker, tack, then quickly get the kicker back on.

The solo has a deeper cockpit and I can get under the boom easily even with kicker hard on

 

[Ruffles]

For dinghy sailing I'd always go with whatever is popular in the club. Handicap racing is all very well but it's a lot more exciting to be racing on the same level with the boat next to you.
Plus I bet there are a few Solos on the for sale board in the club house! Saves a lot of hassle.

 

[Ruffles]

The last time i tried to sail a laser (admittedly a club boat not well set up) i had some real issues tacking in a bit of wind. To get under the boom, I had to release the kicker, tack, then quickly get the kicker back on.

It's common with lasers on windy days to sit on the boom before tightening the kicker. Which leaves about 2" between blocks!

 

[slawosz]

Thanks for your answers. If I will buy a dinghy it will be either Solo, either Laser - I don't consider any other. I have another boat arriving soon (Achilles 24) and today I understood I won't have much time sailing dinghy, as I wish. So currently, I am thinking about getting a cheap Laser, even if it would require some minor repairs - I will be happy to do them, add cheap XD replica kicker, proper length tiller. Anyway, I am currently embarrassing any dinghy when I sail it - for those who want to see my tacks, I can refer to video with code G5pMeWXrCQ on youtube....

Solo more technical, lots of minor variations.

What you exactly mean by this? Lot of sail adjustment to go bit faster then others? - this is actually something I might enjoy...

 

[jwilson]

Thanks for your answers. If I will buy a dinghy it will be either Solo, either Laser - I don't consider any other. I have another boat arriving soon (Achilles 24) and today I understood I won't have much time sailing dinghy, as I wish. So currently, I am thinking about getting a cheap Laser, even if it would require some minor repairs - I will be happy to do them, add cheap XD replica kicker, proper length tiller. Anyway, I am currently embarrassing any dinghy when I sail it - for those who want to see my tacks, I can refer to video with code G5pMeWXrCQ on youtube....



What you exactly mean by this? Lot of sail adjustment to go bit faster then others? - this is actually something I might enjoy...

Different masts, mast foot positions, hulls and sails from many makers on Solos, probably more than just this. I've only sailed a Solo once, maybe 45 years ago, at around the same time I first sailed a Laser. Just liked the Laser more, it steered sweetly, had a smooth climb onto the plane, and went surprisingly fast once the wind got up. It's not perfect, after all it was designed as a fun beach boat not an Olympic racer, but it's probably the closest to a true one-design you can get, and a real test of skill and some fitness.

 

[ShinyShoe]

There can be lots of Lasers out, but there could be 3 rigs. So are they sailing as one fleet? Or 3 races within a race? If you are new to sailing - you wont be ready for a full rig laser!

A solo is slower on PY. That sounds sensible for a beginner.

The options may mean buying a boat doesn't get you the best set-up, but as a beginner that may not matter.

The laser is HUGE (not physically) but globally. That means you will not be the laser world champion, or UK champion, or regional champion, or club champion...

Solo is a decent boat. Over 100 boats at the nationals so if you want serious competition you can still get it. But I doubt they need you to have entered qualifying races to get in the nationals. Dont think they have a worlds... ...but I doubt a new sailor is close to that level... if you win the solo nationals - you might want to try a laser...

 

[lw395]

I have an old Laser for Wednesday evening races.
It cost me a 3 figure sum, plus I did a bit of GRP work. You can gat a raceworthy Laser with a >150,000 sail number for around £1k? A equally good Solo will be more unless you want to maintain a wooden one.
Both are good boats, in slightly different ways. If you have racing available to you in both classes, I don't think either would be a mistake.

The way I would look at it is this:
It is about the people.
The boat is just a bit of 'equipment' that allows you to compete against others.
So, look around at the people sailing each class in your area, and ask yourself, where you want to fit in.
In some clubs, the Laser is sailed by young people, lighter than me, fitter than me, probabl more talented than me. In other clubs there are a lot of older, experienced sailors who are great at tactics. I want to sail against people who I can learn from, who are a bit better than me, but there's no point me racing against olympic standard kids who have brand new boats and all that. Neither do I just want to race against people I can always beat.
Equally in Solos, in some clubs there are high quality Solo sailors with new boats and new sails, others are sailing old boats not very seriously.

Look around at the people and decide who you most want to race with.
Where do you fit in?
Provided you are within the design limits of the boat, it's the people that matter.

I don't like very much about the Laser, but the racing of it is great.
My arch rivals and I have boats of comparable age, and we don't arms-race one another by buying new sails. It's fair, level combat, sorry! sport.
Last season, a whole bunch of us bought £200 replica sails, so we all had the same, no excuses. Great racing for sensible money.
Years ago, I had a couple of Solos, I'd get another one if the racing on my doorstep made it the right answer.

A lot of places, it's worth thinking about regattas to travel to, both Laser and Solo have plenty, but different events are enjoyed by different people.
It's good to look beyond your own pond and pool of talent now and then.

At the moment, I'm a bit tempted by a DZero, because there are a few in my club sailed well, and its place on the handicap scale might give some interesting action with other boats in the club.

The other thing is, does either class give access to any coaching? That was very valuable in my old class.

 

[dunedin]

Both great boats. Solo possiblyeasier for older less fit people, but needs more fiddling, gear selection etc.

Laser slightly trippier due to round bilge hull, but masses of boats available at all prices. And an old one can get you sailing cheaply and, with a decent sail, competitive enough at club level.

Another potential difference is boat maintenance/ TLC. Tops race boats of boats types need looking after, with top and bottom covers etc.
But an old Laser can thrive on neglect when not in use, then a power hose and go sailing, A Solo will rapidly deteriorate if neglected.

 

[Robin]

Gof or a real man's single hander, OK or Finn, both are sit in not sit on beach toys. Or go really wild and sailboard.

 

[lw395]

Gof or a real man's single hander, OK or Finn, both are sit in not sit on beach toys. Or go really wild and sailboard.

Buying something else and racing on handicap is a poor option in my opion.
You will learn so much more, much faster, racing level in One Designs.
An Ok is not really conceptually very different from a Solo, just has no stays and a low boom.
A Finn is an OK for bigger people.
Nothing wrong with Finns, OKs or most of the dozens of oter singlehanders, but unless the fleet racing does nothing for you, best to go with the fleet.
Lasers and Solos are also fairly readily re-sold should one want to move on. Anything obscure can be hard to shift and may lose you significant money.

Boards are not an alternative to dinghy racing, they are filling a dfferent purpose IMHO. Getting a board for blasting around on when it's windy is a fine idea, sailing one on a wednesday evening as the breeze falls off less so.
I'd say have a go with kitesurfing if you're young enough.

 

[ashtead]

Real personal choice but I would buy whatever you think might be easier to sell . Don't know much about solos though so from a purchaser perspective I would go laser

 

[Robin]

Buying something else and racing on handicap is a poor option in my opion.
You will learn so much more, much faster, racing level in One Designs.
An Ok is not really conceptually very different from a Solo, just has no stays and a low boom.
A Finn is an OK for bigger people.
Nothing wrong with Finns, OKs or most of the dozens of oter singlehanders, but unless the fleet racing does nothing for you, best to go with the fleet.
Lasers and Solos are also fairly readily re-sold should one want to move on. Anything obscure can be hard to shift and may lose you significant money.

Boards are not an alternative to dinghy racing, they are filling a dfferent purpose IMHO. Getting a board for blasting around on when it's windy is a fine idea, sailing one on a wednesday evening as the breeze falls off less so.
I'd say have a go with kitesurfing if you're young enough.

Agreed.

I was lucky, we had a good size OK fleet, a laser one ( started after they had a demo weekend when they fist came out) and a solo one too plus a big fleet of british moths, the lone contender, International Moth and finn had to race hcp as did I when I moved to a Merlin with my crew coming from a moth. I learned my racing from initially being in a very hot Enterprise fleet that travelled around all the opens and nationals. My real love was the Merlin, but my crew died in a car wreck, his daughter took over for a while but got more interested in boys

 

[jwilson]

Gof or a real man's single hander, OK or Finn, both are sit in not sit on beach toys. Or go really wild and sailboard.

A Finn is a brute in any wind: I've sailed one and was neither big enough and ultra-fit enough to be any good in it. An OK (I've never sailed one) is also better for pretty big fit helms, though not so much as the Finn.

 

[dom]

A Finn is an OK for bigger people.
Nothing wrong with Finns, OKs or most of the dozens of oter singlehanders, but unless the fleet racing does nothing for you, best to go with the fleet...

IMHO. Getting a board for blasting around on when it's windy is a fine idea, sailing one on a wednesday evening as the breeze falls off less so.
I'd say have a go with kitesurfing if you're young enough.

+1 to Finns with emphasis on bigger; used to sail Lasers at a highish level, but struggled to get weight up to even 75kg. Uphill in a blow is seriously hard work, downhill great. In a Finn, just get irretrievably blown away on windy climbs.

Laser: I’d say no brainier to buy/sell and race, as far as one wants to go: decent oldish ones zero handicap at club level.

Windsurfer: for an hour or two on somewhere like Chichester’s Winner Bank on a warm blowy evening: fantastic!

 

[geoffatstanpit]

I sailed a Solo in a mainly Laser handicap fleet for many years and only had to give up in my 80s. Laser sailors get all cross and lose concentration if the wind drops to less than 10 knots. I used to get great delight in waiting for the lasers to fall into a hole in the wind and then sail round the lot of them. Worked every time.

 

[dom]

I sailed a Solo in a mainly Laser handicap fleet for many years and only had to give up in my 80s....

Now that's impressive! :encouragement: