If you’re new to sailing, the Laser Pico and Laser Dinghy are two of the first boats you’ll come across, and it’s easy to mix them up. Both are part of the same laser sailboat family. The Pico is built for beginners and family outings. The Dinghy is built for competitive racing. Here’s how they compare, what each one costs, and how to figure out which is right for you.
The laser boats were first produced at the beginning of the 1970s and attained Olympic sailing status in 1996. Since then, these boats have become some of the most competitive sailing dinghies designed in history.
The Laser Pico and Laser Dinghy (also called the Laser Standard) are two of the most common laser sailboats. The Pico is a beginner-friendly, single- or double-handed boat great for learning and family sailing. The Laser Dinghy is the competitive single-handed racing boat used in over 120 countries and at the Olympics. This guide covers specs, features, and how to pick the right one.
For this reason, all laser boats are constructed with similar specifications, including their sails, equipment, and hulls. The Laser Pico and Dinghy sailboats are among the most common types of laser boats you can use to test your skill as a sailor and advance in this hobby.
This article covers how the Laser Pico and Laser Dinghy work, how many people they can hold, what they cost, and how they differ, so you can decide which one is right for your sailing hobby.
The Laser Pico
Developed primarily for fun, the Laser Pico has remained one of the most popular sailboats for sailors of all abilities. The boat is easy to rig, and its speedy learning curve makes it comfortable for a single sailor to use right away.
The boat was first designed by Olympic medallist Jo Richards and was built starting in 1998 by LaserPerformance. Current Pico models use modern manufacturing processes to offer the best experience on the water.
The Laser Pico is a strong option for both novice and experienced sailors. It removes the pressure newcomers often feel, since it’s simple enough to rig and sail that a beginner can get the hang of it in a day.
It’s rare to find a boat with this combination of features. For beginners, the Pico is forgiving, simple, and stable enough that almost anyone can use it easily. Experienced sailors, meanwhile, will enjoy its brisk performance and responsive handling.
The Pico rides with a smooth motion despite its flat underwater outline and flared bow sections. It doesn’t require much intricacy when steering or trimming, thanks to its well-built rig and generous rudder.
The boat has positive, well-balanced steering that gives precise feedback to the sailor and is designed to quickly signal forces that are out of balance. Its hiking straps work fine barefoot, and the curved decks accommodate sailors of different leg lengths.
The Laser Dinghy
A dinghy is a small open boat often towed or carried on larger ships and used as a tender or lifesaving boat. Some dinghies are designed specifically for sailing, and the best example is the Laser Dinghy.
The Laser Dinghy (also known as the Laser Standard or the Laser One) was first designed in 1970 by Bruce Kirby, with an emphasis on performance and simplicity. It’s raced in the international Laser class by sailors in more than 120 countries.
Its popularity comes from how easy it is to rig, how enjoyable it is to sail, and how robust its construction is. Its features and strong control systems make it a genuinely competitive racing boat.
Most people use the word “Laser” to describe the Laser Standard, the largest sail plan rig available for the Laser hull.
But there are other Laser sail plan rigs, and other Laser-branded boats with different hull designs entirely, such as the Laser Pico and Laser 2. The Laser Class Association officially recognizes three Laser boats: the Laser Standard, Laser 4.7, and Laser Radial.
All Laser boats share similar specifications and are light enough to carry on car racks, but they suit people of different sizes and ages. The Laser Standard, for example, is best for fit, muscular, agile sailors weighing over 80kg, while the Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial suit smaller, lighter sailors.
Features to Look for When Buying a Sailboat
With many manufacturers producing dinghies today, you’ll want to make sure the one you buy is genuinely well-built. It’s easy for a first-time buyer to end up with a second-rate or poorly constructed sailing boat if they aren’t careful. Here’s what to check:
1. Sailboat Number
Most dinghies have a sailboat number on the back of the cockpit or on the deck. This number helps identify the boat’s age and, indirectly, its quality. Newer boats tend to have it etched into the cockpit, while older dinghies often have it painted on the deck. The number typically includes three letters (often the production date) followed by five characters that make up the sail serial number.
2. Deck and Hull Condition
Make sure the deck and hull are in good condition. Watch for deep scratches and cracks, the main early warning signs of leaks and structural damage.
3. Stiffness
Stiffness describes a boat’s ability to resist heeling forces. A stiffer boat is more stable and responds faster to waves. Stiffness diminishes with age and use, so it’s a good proxy for overall quality. Softer hulls are more likely to leak.
4. Mast Step
The mast step absorbs the highest pressure from the sail and mast. Since the mast also carries the boom, sail, and often navigation or signal equipment, it’s important that the mast step on any boat you buy is in good condition.
5. Other Parts of the Boat
Check the rudder, daggerboard, mast and boom, and tiller and tiller extension for straightness, and inspect the ropes and sails for wear and tear.
Why Pico Sailing Is a Great Hobby
The Laser Pico is one of the most capable and enjoyable boats you can sail. It features:
- A robust dacron sail
- A line kit
- A simple reefing system
- A reefing mainsail and removable jib
- A stable, stiff roto-molded hull
- Four padded toe straps
These features, combined with the boat’s durable design and stiffness, make it a great choice for beginners and experienced sailors alike. Anyone can rig and sail it easily, and most first-time users are comfortable handling it solo after a few days of practice.
It’s surprisingly fast and accelerates briskly with a good amount of breeze. The Pico’s daggerboard fits easily and clears the kicking strap and boom even when fully raised, which makes lee-shore launching simple and helps prevent foul-ups when gybing.
The Laser rudder system uses the well-known swing-down-and-lock-with-the-tiller arrangement, fastened with an easily replaceable bungee cord. Its hull is built for high stiffness and durability, prioritizing safety and longevity.
Its generous capacity and cockpit size are enough for you and a child to sail together, making it a good boat for teaching the hobby to someone else. Although the hull is slightly heavier than some competitors, its durability and features still make it a genuinely world-class sailboat: fun, exciting, easy to use, reasonably priced, and simple to maintain.
What’s the Best Beginner Laser Sailboat?
Laser boats come in different sizes and types, but they share similar specifications since they’re all built as competitive sailboats to gauge sailors’ skill. The best one for you depends on your age, weight, and experience level. The Laser class has three main rigs, each sized for a different sailor:
1. Laser Standard
Also called the Laser Dinghy, discussed above. Built for sailors weighing 70-84kg.
2. Laser Radial
Slightly smaller than the Laser Standard. It was used in the 2008 Women’s Singlehanded Dinghy Olympic event and suits sailors weighing 55-72kg.
3. Laser 4.7
Smaller than the Laser Dinghy, with a different shape than the Radial. Built for sailors weighing 50-55kg.
Two Other Types of Laser Sailboats
1. Laser M
A rare Laser model with a smaller hull for smaller sailors. Its short mast can make it harder to depower in stronger winds.
2. Rooster 8.1
Produced in the UK, this Laser variant has a larger hull for larger sailors and is built with multiple mast-length options.
The first three rigs differ in sail area: the Standard measures 76 sq ft, the Radial 62 sq ft, and the 4.7 just 51 sq ft. The Laser Standard suits advanced sailors, the Radial suits intermediate sailors, and the 4.7 is best for young sailors just getting started in the hobby.
What’s the Weight of a Laser Sailboat?
The optimal weight varies by type, but a standard Laser hull typically weighs between 55-72kg.
Laser vs. Laser 2: What’s the Difference?
The main difference is that the Laser 2 has a double-handed design, while the standard Laser is single-handed. The Laser 2 also needs to be sailed with a jib, or it develops excess weather helm and struggles to move properly.
The Laser 2 is bigger than the standard Laser and can run a jib, main, and spinnaker. Its cockpit is large enough for two adults, though sailing it solo is tricky.
FAQ: Laser Picos and Dinghy Sailboats
What is a Laser Pico?
The Laser Pico, now sold as the RS Pico, is a small entry level sailing dinghy designed for beginners and youth training programs. It has a rotomolded hull that resists impact and needs little maintenance, which makes it a common first boat at sailing schools.
What are the dimensions of a Laser Pico dinghy?
A Pico measures about 11.5 feet in length overall with a beam of roughly 4.7 feet, and it weighs around 220 pounds. Its small size and light weight make it easy for one person to rig and launch without help.
How many people can sail a Pico at once?
The Pico is designed to carry one to three people depending on setup, with a load capacity roughly between 175 and 390 kilograms. It works equally well as a single handed racing boat or a two person cruising boat for a parent and child.
Is the Laser Pico a good boat for beginners?
Yes, it is considered one of the most popular beginner dinghies. Its simple rigging, self draining cockpit, and forgiving handling in gusty wind make it a common choice for adult learn to sail courses and youth sailing programs.
