Bungo Pete
Member
Hello Everyone:
Our small club just purchased a 1979 Laser. We did this because it came with one new sail and one that had only been used a couple of times. The sticks and blades are in pristine condition as well. Lastly, the price was about the cost of a new class legal sail.
Unfortunately, the hull is another matter. There are the usual spider cracks around the centerboard trunk, and some scratches here and there. There are also some real bad spider cracks (you can feel them with your hand) at the turn of the bilge on one side amidships. Osmotic blistering is prevelant in the area under the cockpit. The hull appears to have been left on the ground unsupported and uncovered.
Worst of all is the separation between the cockpit drain and the hull. I have read about how to repair this and it seems like an incredible amount of work for a hull this old and in poor condition.
My friends and I just race among ourselves for fun. Therefore, I have a couple of questions:
1. From what I have described, is it worth trying to repair this hull, or can one obtain a used hull-only somewhere? I am thinking that we could sail this boat for a couple of seasons (we're in Maine and the seasons are very short) and then try to find a new hull.
2. As I said before, I have read about the separation problem. Is there an easier fix(i.e. just use epoxy to try to glue the bondo back to the hull and/or cockpit bottom)? What are the ramifications of just putting in a bronze drain plug?
Any assistance/advice will be greatly appreciated.
Our small club just purchased a 1979 Laser. We did this because it came with one new sail and one that had only been used a couple of times. The sticks and blades are in pristine condition as well. Lastly, the price was about the cost of a new class legal sail.
Unfortunately, the hull is another matter. There are the usual spider cracks around the centerboard trunk, and some scratches here and there. There are also some real bad spider cracks (you can feel them with your hand) at the turn of the bilge on one side amidships. Osmotic blistering is prevelant in the area under the cockpit. The hull appears to have been left on the ground unsupported and uncovered.
Worst of all is the separation between the cockpit drain and the hull. I have read about how to repair this and it seems like an incredible amount of work for a hull this old and in poor condition.
My friends and I just race among ourselves for fun. Therefore, I have a couple of questions:
1. From what I have described, is it worth trying to repair this hull, or can one obtain a used hull-only somewhere? I am thinking that we could sail this boat for a couple of seasons (we're in Maine and the seasons are very short) and then try to find a new hull.
2. As I said before, I have read about the separation problem. Is there an easier fix(i.e. just use epoxy to try to glue the bondo back to the hull and/or cockpit bottom)? What are the ramifications of just putting in a bronze drain plug?
Any assistance/advice will be greatly appreciated.