In a message dated 1/3/00 9:57:18 PM Mountain Standard Time, Dulcinea77
writes:
<< if you line up all the boats using the laser name in time sequential
order, the laser, radial, 4.7 and the >> all look like they are the same
lineage and therefore deserving of the name >>
But you see, they're not the same lineage.
The first three all are different rigs on the same identical Bruce Kirby
designed original Laser hull.
The Laser>> was designed at least 10 years later by Frank Bethwaite, father
of Julian who designed the 49er and they've designed other high performance
skiffs like Aussie 18s. The Laser>> is a skiff-like hull. It's a very
different shape to a Laser and performs differently, too.
Anybody? Do we know how and when Laser>> came to fall in with Laser?
There was/is also the Taser, which was "the 2-person Laser" before the
Laser>> came to be, I think. It's a non-trapeze, non-spinnaker 2-man dinghy
with a fully battened main. Frank Bethwaite & D. Bruce designed those, and
there are still lots of them around. At least they didn't rip-off the Laser
name quite so blatantly.
The fact remains that the licensed Laser builders own the name and logo and
are allowed to use them as they see fit. It just bugs me, personally. I
think it's in bad taste. I mean, you don't see anybody selling new sailboat
designs called "Snipe.this", or "Star.that" or "Sunfish.turbogizmo" do you.
As Laser Class rep. I like these opportunities to point up the differences
between the real Laser and the rip-offs. However, Laser>> is still affiliated
with us and welcome.
Lainie
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