Laser 4000

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The Laser 4000 (aka 4K, 4-tonner) is a racing dinghy crewed by two persons. Its one-design weight-equalised system enables physically differing sailors to compete on a level playing field. It is most popular in Europe, particularly the UK, France and Italy.

The 4000 is a fast, planing skiff-style dinghy with a trapeze for the crew and trampolines for the helm. Upwind, the boat does not point especially close to the wind, but its fully battened sails give enough power to keep up with similar-sized boats. Downwind, however is where the boat excels due to its asymmetric spinnaker (aka gennaker). In a force 3 the 4000 will plane and the crew can get out on the wire. However, most sailors crave a good force 4-5 when the boat performs its best. The 4000 is often fast enough to make use of the apparent wind to reach the bottom of the racecourse sooner.

In lighter winds, many crews make use of the gybing gennaker pole when sailing downwind. This allows them to show a larger part of the spinnaker to the wind whilst sailing further away from the wind direction.

Vital statistics

Designed in 1994 by Phil Morrison.
Portsmouth Yardstick number: 908

Design: One-design sloop rigged dinghy of fibreglass construction. Notable features include: Single trapeze, centre-sheeted main, open self-draining deck, dagger board, single line hoist/drop gennaker with gybing pole and a gnav system in place of the vang (kicking strap) allowing greater space for the crew.

Length (LOA) : 4.64m
Mast Height : 7.10m
Beam (width) : 1.50m - 2.30m (depending on equalisation settings)

Sail Areas :-
Main (fully battened) : 10.80m sq.
Jib (fully battened) : 3.90m sq.
Gennaker (asym. Spinnaker) : 17.10m sq.

Competitive friendly

Over the years the Laser 4000 events have given the fleet a reputation as competitive but friendly, with the day's racing followed by lively evening socials. The equalisation system coupled with relatively low sheet loads mean that it doesn't take a superhuman to stay in control. Nevertheless, in most wind conditions the boat is faster than an RS400 or 29er.

Equalisation system

A long-running problem in dinghy racing is that light sailors are faster in light winds due to their lesser displacement and heavier sailors gain speed in stronger winds due to their increased righting moment. In the early 90s Laser addressed this problem with their equalisation system for the Laser 5000 and Laser 4000.

When racing one of these boats, lightweight crews are required to carry up to 4 lead weights in their boat (securely fastened in the centre). To compensate for their lack of capsize-preventing leverage, they are also allowed to extend the boat's rack outwards, effectively making the boat wider. Conversely, heavier crews will carry fewer weights, but must sail with narrower racks. Thus each team's total weight and leverage is equalised. The Laser 4000 equalisation system accommodates helms and crews weighing from 59-94kg (130-207lbs) each. Beyond that range the traditional wind strength advantages and disadvantages come into play.

Years of competitive racing have proved the system to be effective with all sizes of crews winning in all wind strengths. Several other racing dinghy classes have adopted a similar equalisation systems.

As with many modern racing dinghies, the Laser 4000 is one-design, meaning that strict rules govern the modification of the boat, its sailing and equipment. This is to prevent an expensive competition of "modification racing", where only those who could afford the latest gadgets would stand a chance of winning.

Prices

In the UK a brand new Laser 4000 will set you back over £7000, but second hand boats in good condition can be found for around a third of this price.

Laser 4000 spares are reasonably priced only when compared with the carbon-fibre spars of newer dinghy classes.

See also

[Official Laser Website]

[Laser 4000 UK Class Association]

[France Laser 4000&5000]