One of the attractions of the Laser for most owners is that the class rules are very strict and that the boat is one design. The laser philosophy incorporated in the rules is that we want to go sailing not waste time fiddling with boats. We want to win races on the water using our skill not by trying to find a way round the rules that will give us an advantage.

The Class Rules are written to prevent any changes from the standard boat that might affect performance so that on the water each boat is the same. The few changes to the standard boat that are allowed are minor and only to allow for a few options that make racing the Laser more comfortable and enjoyable.

Over the years the class has refused to make changes to the rules, which allows more expensive or complicated equipment or which makes older boats redundant.

If you feel you want to change something on a Laser – STOP!

Ask yourself why you want to do it? If the answer is "to make me go faster" there is a very good chance the modification or addition is illegal!

If you race a Laser that has a change or addition not allowed by the class rules you will be disqualified from the race. Ignorance of the rules is no defence.

Cheating

In our sport in every club and class there is the odd person who needs to cheat to win. Cheating is doing something that you know is illegal. Whether you gain an advantage or not is irrelevant.

Our class is strong and popular because we believe in a strict one design and our sailors want to know that they are racing on equal terms. The ILCA takes a very strong line with Laser sailors who do not sail according to the rules. There have been cases in the past where sailors who have sailed with illegal boats have been banned from sailing a Laser. Such a ban can be for life.

If action is also taking under the racing rules the ban can cover racing in any boat.

Our class is much bigger than the odd person who wants to gain advantage by illegally changing the Laser or its equipment. They can sail in other classes where the rules allow changes to a boat to get an advantage. We do not want them with us.

The Laser Standard can be sailed by any weight in light winds, but as the wind increases it is better suited to higher sailor weights.

The Laser Radial is the next step up. It uses a more flexible and slightly shorter lower mast together with a sail area 18% smaller than the Laser Standard. The Laser Radial has a large following with national and international regattas and world Open and Youth Championships attracting as many countries and competitors as the Laser Standard Rig. As well as a strong following amongst lighter weight sailors the Laser Radial is also used for youth, women and masters racing. Many countries now support a full Laser Radial Youth programme and in a survey of national yachting authorities conducted by the International Sailing Federation the majority replied that the Laser Radial was their preferred youth boat.