Laser Goes Stratospheric!
THE LASER Stratos Keel has really stood the test of time and remains a consistent, steady seller for Laser. It may not have the glamour or performance of the bigger SB3 sportboat or the knockabout utility of the Pico, or some of the plastic boats for that matter, but it has quietly become one of the most popular general purpose dinghies around, writes YL racing editor Andi Robertson. It remains popular with sailing schools because it offers good space and capacity to carry pupils, is stable and does not capsize, and yet it offers a good all round sailing performance and is an excellent platform to learn the skills of sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a trapeze. Also it will happily be left on a mooring, yet it is relatively easily launched and recovered. It is easily reefed and will handle bigger breezes safely, however it still slips along easily in the lighter winds. At once it is a utilitarian workhorse for sailing schools and institutions and the perfect baby keelboat to enjoy simple passage making in sheltered waters or simply messing about on the bigger lochs or waterways. Laser in Scotland are convinced the market for the Stratos keelboat will continue to grow. They could well be right. Indeed, thinking about the coastline and the lochs north of the border there are a huge number of areas where the Stratos would be just the perfect complement to a holiday house, hotel or guest house. We took the chance to re-acquaint ourselves with the Stratos Keel courtesy of a test on Strathclyde Loch, but we have also been relatively regular users at Port Edgar where they have a boat which is popular as a teaching and hire boat. The centreboard version is no longer in production, probably because it no longer had a strong enough USP compared with the growing range of roto-moulded and fibreglass rivals which have most of the same attributes, other than the clever flood and draining system which kept the boat floating low enough in the water and stabilised it during capsize. But then, in fact, even that is rendered redundant by the keel version which does not capsize! It is an easy boat to put together single-handed or with one helper of any size. The rig is keel stepped and sits on the hog, held in place by a mast gate until the standing rigging is attached. Launching and recovery at Strathclyde Loch was also easy. The keel version does require a little more water to float it off, but the custom trolley is substantial with a good third, granny wheel to help, but it is made easiest off a decent slipway. A folding, stainless gantry lies flat on the floor when not required, raises and lowers the keel with ease. The loads are light and the keel locates easily. It does feel like a bigger boat than her size and is well proportioned. It is designed to carry four adults in comfort, but it’s also an excellent family boat. Indeed, if you are considering introducing the family to sailing, including perhaps one or two, a partner even, whom you want to take every precaution against scaring in the early stages, and yet offer an excellent level of fun, then the Stratos should be near the top of your list. It feels stable at rest, important when rigging and moving around at the dock or on a mooring. CONTRASTS What we liked most of all is that she sails like a keelboat upwind and yet offers dinghy like performance downwind. There is the stability and stiffness of knowing there is a decent sized torpedo of lead bulb underneath you. Upwind the Stratos is efficient and predictable with an easy motion, light on the helm and nicely responsive. The rudder is a high aspect unit and retains plenty of bite to steer out of most situations. It is quite happy as a sit in boat, rather than sitting on the gunwhales, but the ergonomics are refined and excellent and there is ample space to move around. The gunwhales are rounded and the toe straps nicely padded and adjustable. In a puffy SW’ly, with scudding gusts whizzing off the M74, it was impossible not to raise a smile on the Stratos. Tacking is easy too, even down in speed as you will often encounter with novice helms, while the foils also hold the boat relatively steady at low speeds. Sheet loads are generally light and yet there is ample sail area to keep the boat moving nicely through the lighter puffs. Downwind with the gennaker up, the Stratos is a real pleasure to sail. It accelerates evenly and smoothly and tracks on cue, feeling much more like a sporty dinghy. Certainly to learn skills like ‘sailing with the a-sail’ and using the optional trapeze, it’s a great solution. Construction is excellent, as you would expect, but it’s good to note also that the Port Edgar Stratos Keel is still in fair shape despite the high traffic levels through the boat with hires and tuition. Overall, the layout is truly exceptional for this type of boat. A great deal of thought and research has gone into it and the fittings are all from highly renowned brands. In conclusion, the Stratos Keel delivers on all fronts for a key market which is so important for the development of the sport of sailing, and works really well as a safe but quick little keelboat. The best of both worlds it truly is. • Currently, the sail away price of Laser’s Stratos Keel is £11,290 inc VAT complete with trailer, top cover and launching trolley. Further details from Sail Laser Scotland based at Strathclyde Country Park.