Perry Design Review: Laser Cat

The brochure for the Laser Cat is filled with photos of teenagers having a good time. It does look like fun, but there is no question that you will get very wet in this boat. You will also go very fast and there's no question that one legitimate way to objectively measure sailing enjoyment is in knots.

Designed by Yves Loday, the Laser Cat was intended to introduce juniors to the thrills of cat sailing. The hulls, which are shapely and symmetrical, are Rototech-molded in Tecrothene 121. This is a linear, high-density, UV-stabilized, thermo-plastic material combined with a stress-free homogeneous sandwich with an inner closed-cell structure for rigidity. You know, the basic stuff. It's tough, durable and usually heavy. The 15-foot 9-inch Laser Cat weighs 286 pounds according to the brochure. That's 130 pounds heavier than the monohull Tasar at nearly the same overall length. The durability of these hulls allows you to retract the rudders and sail at full speed onto the beach.

There are no centerboards or daggerboards. Apparently the unusual hull profile with its deep, sharp belly provides all the lift you need. I read the in-depth sailing trials report from England and there is no mention whatsoever about the boat's ability to go to weather.

At first glance the rig looks normal. The main is a fat-head shape similar in planform to many sailboard sails, but there is no boom. The mainsail is reefed by dropping the halyard, tidying up the lower sail slab with built-in bungee lines, then rehoisting. Most dinghies use halyard locks at the masthead — these can be very frustrating. The Laser Cat leads its main halyard to the mast base. According to the British sailing trials, the mainsail is "a doddle to drop." The jib rolls up on a roller-furling drum. There is a unique A-frame-type rigid bridle for the headstay that allows excellent headstay tension. Jibing is easy with no boom to threaten your head.

The Laser Cat would provide an easy way to experience the thrills of multihull sailing in a very well-thought-out and well-executed package that should appeal to sailors of a wide range of skill levels.

Twin-hulled, high-performance rocket.

Boat Specifications