Laser 5000

Summary

The Laser 5000 is a double-handed, dual trapeze skiff with an asymmetrical spinnaker . It derives its name from its length of 5 metres. Losing out to the Bethwaite-designed 49er for selection as an Olympic class for the 2000 Games, it was one of 11 designs that took part in the ISAF High Performance Olympic Dinghy Evaluation Event in 1996.[3]

Laser 5000
NameLaser 5000
Boat
Crew2 (double trapeze)
Displacement170 kg (370 lb)
Hull
LOA5,000 mm (16 ft 5 in)
Beam3,050 mm (10 ft 0 in) (including wings)
Sails
Mainsail area15.3 m2 (165 sq ft)
Jib/genoa area5.8 m2 (62 sq ft)
Spinnaker area33 m2 (355 sq ft)
Racing
D-PN77.9[1]
RYA PN846[2]

It was designed in the early 1990s by Phil Morrison. The design was informed by Morrison's earlier experimental Gemini design he had designed and built with Bill Twine and Nick Lightbody in Berwick, East Sussex in 1979. The class is strongest in the UK and Europe with over 200 boats built and a televised European circuit.[citation needed]

References edit

  1. ^ "Centerboard Classes-Inactive". US Sailing. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Portsmouth Number List 2012". Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ^ Bethwaite, Frank. Higher Performance Sailing, Adlard Coles Nautical, London, 2008.

External links edit

  • Class Association Website
  • National Racing Dinghy Archive. History of Laser 5000 development and design.