Tim Dobson's Blog

I now own one of these!

Described by Yachts and Yachting, the Laser EPS is a

14ft singlehanded dinghy. The EPS stands for Equalised Performance Sailing. The aerowings are unique to the Laser eps and create a perfect helm position, give reassuring extra buoyancy, and stability, and are fully adjustable to compensate for helms of differing weights.

My friends at Glossop Sailing Club have been trying to get me to get a new boat for ages, at the moment I own a speedy Mirror, but I haven't sailed it for quite a while and have been looking to move up a class. Up until now, my singlehander of choice has been topper dinghies and people have been suggesting that I get a standard laser or a laser 4.7 for a long time, however I dislike the standard laser hulls and rigs for a variety of reasons and have avoided them as much as possible. Lasers are best sailed by a certain shape of person - tall people who have long legs and therefore who can put the most weight as far out as possible.
I am average in height and certainly not long legged and lanky and I for this reason I don't think standard lasers suit me very well.

After a while, my friends finally took onboard the idea that I really didn't want a normal laser or a 4.7 and so one day they pointed out a Laser EPS in the dinghy park. The boat had been sailed GSC in 2006 but seemed not to have been used much since then. Having said that, it looked in good condition and I realised I'd actually seen this boat sailing back in 2006 and had taken some photos of it.

My friend suggested that I ask around and find out who it belonged to and offer them some money for it. I wasn't too sure what I thought about - I didn't know whether it would suit me or whether I could afford it, I put it to the back of my mind and thought no more about it.
Days later by complete coincidence the GSC Secretary forwarded an email to all GSC members mentioning that Laser EPS 274, the one I had looked at only a few days ago, was for sale.
This put me in an quite awkward position. The boat was for sale and I was in a position where I didn't know if I could afford it or really whether I wanted it.
In the end I talked to my parents about it - my birthday was coming up in a few weeks time, and I explained that what I really wanted was either driving lessons or this boat.
I wanted driving lessons, not because I want to drive in the near future but because I wanted the qualification for a time when I might want to drive. At this moment of time I find it quite hard to imagine myself driving - I can't imagine any cars that would suit me and I disagree with the idea of driving in general really.
When my parents hinted that they might be prepared, possibly, to offer me the chance to learn to drive at a later date, nearer to when I might use a car but offered to buy half the boat for me, I agreed. In theory, the boat should hold its value so that if I had to I could always to sell the boat and get driving lessons (or something else) with relatively few problems.

Covers Off!

It makes a change, for once to be given a present that holds its value. I'm so used to consumer electronics which are worth 10% of what you bought them for within a week of you owning them and are "obsolete" according to the industry within 6 months.

Today, I met the owner of EPS 274 so I could "test sail" an EPS as, though they seemed like a good idea, I hadn't actually sailed one.
I couldn't believe how much fun it was! For someone with a background like mine where I usually get bored if it is anything less than a Force 5, I really enjoyed myself. Planing upwind was a new experience, though what struck me the most was how comfortable the boat was to sail. In the gusts upwind when the Lasers around me were hiking for all they were worth - obviously not a very comfortable position - I was sat on the wing wondering why I had ever put up with having my thighs reshaped by the side of the boat. The respite, I guess, comes on the downwind legs. This is where I had my most problems - you need to kneel in the boat (I think I'm going to have to get myself some knee pads!), balance it, and if a gust comes throw yourself at the windward wing, once on the wing, you need to be ready to jump into the middle of the boat, if the wind drops, even slightly. As I found out the hard way, sitting on the windward wing when the wind has momentarily dropped results in an embarrassing capsize, in my case, frustratingly close to the end of the race!

After sailing the boat, it became clear that it was all it was made out to be.

I now own Laser EPS Sail number 274

The boat is in very good condition thanks to the care of the previous owner, but does need some minor things doing - the elastic which counters the kicker and cunningham/downhaul control lines needs replacing as it seem to have perished. This afternoon, I also learnt the mainsheet needs replacing - after it split on me! The previous owner had told me it might need replacing and I thought it looked a bit well used however ideally I'd have hoped it to last a bit longer than this - at least it didn't happen at a particularly crucial moment!

At least one person has suggested a name for the boat, "Yellow Peril" was one option. When I suggested "Yellow Submarine", I was told I was sailing it too well! We will have to see how I sail it in a bit more wind! I'm not sure I really want to name it to be honest - I'm not convinced names suit boats like the EPS...
I'm looking forward to sailing the boat next weekend and with Glossop rumoured to be running a winter series, on through the winter, though I think I will have to invest in some new sailing stuff - a dry suit among other things.

I think it will prove to be quite good fun!

The Boat

Quite a good review of the Laser EPS is available on boats.com

The Laser EPS Class Association has a Yahoo Groups discussion list