The Laser is a single-handed racing dinghy. The biggest attraction of the Laser dinghy is that it is protected by strict one-design class rules, which means that no changes are allowed to the boat unless they are specifically permitted in the rules. The result is that all Laser boats are virtually identical whether they are brand new or 10 years old, making it the sailor that wins the race, not the boat. The Laser is a challenging boat that rewards athleticism, subtle steering and trimming techniques, as well as tactical excellence. It is a singlehanded Olympic class boat for both men and women and is sailed at the club, national and international levels. With over 200,000 boats in 140 countries, it is the world’s most popular adult and youth racing sailboat.

One of the reasons the Laser is so popular is the boat’s sheer simplicity. The two-part free-standing mast and sleeved sail make the boat easy to rig and its lightweight hull make it easy to carry and cartop.

The Laser Formula combines one hull with three different rigs: Standard, Radial and 4.7. Young sailors starting out in the 4.7 can move up in rig sizes as they grow physically and develop tactically without the need to buy a complete new boat every few years. The one-design protection also means that your Laser will never be outdated, which explains why Lasers have such a high resale values.

Finally, a strong class association that actively promotes and drives forward Laser sailing around the globe makes mass production of the Laser viable, keeping the cost of the boats and spares relatively low.