Frequently asked Questions
This section is designed for all sailors to find answers to questions you may have. If what you are looking for is not here, please submit your question to us and we will try to answer and add it to this page
Q. Why is Laser Performance no longer a builder of Class approved boats?
Q. What is the “Fundamental Rule”?
Q. Why do I keep reading about ILCAs, I thought the boat was called a Laser?
Q. Are there any Class Approved Builders based in the UK?
Q. Can you buy other approved boats in the UK?
Q. Why is Laser Performance no longer a builder of Class approved boats?
Laser Performance did not meet its commitments under the Class Construction Manual and lost its status as an Approved Builder as required by World Sailing and the International Laser Class Association.
Laser Performance did not meet its commitments under the Class Construction Manual and lost its status as an Approved Builder as required by World Sailing and the International Laser Class Association.
Q. What is the “Fundamental Rule”?
Quoting from the Class Rules. “The boat shall be raced in accordance with these Rules, with only the hull, equipment, fittings, spars, sails and battens manufactured by a World Sailing and International Laser Class Association (ILCA) approved builder in strict adherence to the boat design specification (known as the Construction Manual) which is registered with World Sailing. No addition or alteration may be made to the hull form, construction, equipment, type of equipment, placing of equipment, type of fittings, spars, sails and battens as supplied by the builder except when such an alteration of change is specifically authorized by Parts 2 or 3 of these Rules.” It is designed to ensure fair racing within a strict one-design class.
The Fundamental Rule one-design concept relies on the strict control of the manufacturing process. World Sailing and ILCA audit the approved builders and the approved suppliers of sails, spars etc. Boat, sails, spars etc. supplied by non-approved builders may not be the same as the boats being built by the Approved builders - this undermines the universality of the one-design concept.
The Racing Rules of Sailing rule 78 requires all boats to comply with Class rules which may not be altered by the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions. At larger events there is formal measurement but even at club events any sailor is liable to protest by another sailor or the race committee if their boat does not comply with Class rules. The used value and marketability of a boat built by a non-approved builder is likely to be less than one built by an Approved Builder.
Quoting from the Class Rules. “The boat shall be raced in accordance with these Rules, with only the hull, equipment, fittings, spars, sails and battens manufactured by a World Sailing and International Laser Class Association (ILCA) approved builder in strict adherence to the boat design specification (known as the Construction Manual) which is registered with World Sailing. No addition or alteration may be made to the hull form, construction, equipment, type of equipment, placing of equipment, type of fittings, spars, sails and battens as supplied by the builder except when such an alteration of change is specifically authorized by Parts 2 or 3 of these Rules.” It is designed to ensure fair racing within a strict one-design class.
The Fundamental Rule one-design concept relies on the strict control of the manufacturing process. World Sailing and ILCA audit the approved builders and the approved suppliers of sails, spars etc. Boat, sails, spars etc. supplied by non-approved builders may not be the same as the boats being built by the Approved builders - this undermines the universality of the one-design concept.
The Racing Rules of Sailing rule 78 requires all boats to comply with Class rules which may not be altered by the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions. At larger events there is formal measurement but even at club events any sailor is liable to protest by another sailor or the race committee if their boat does not comply with Class rules. The used value and marketability of a boat built by a non-approved builder is likely to be less than one built by an Approved Builder.
Q. Why do I keep reading about ILCAs, I thought the boat was called a Laser?
There were 3 legacy builders; Performance Sailcraft Australia, Performance Sailcraft Japan and Laser Performance. Laser Performance was by far the largest builder with rights, through a sister company, to use the Laser and Laser starburst branding across about 80% of the world. Laser Performance has not approved the right to use the Laser and Laser starburst branding by the new Builders and so it became necessary to rename the boat – an ILCA. Laser Performance own a number of branding rights and the rig sizes Standard / ILCA 7, Radial / ILCA 6 and 4.7 / ILCA 4 are synonymous. All new Class legal boats will be branded ILCA.
There were 3 legacy builders; Performance Sailcraft Australia, Performance Sailcraft Japan and Laser Performance. Laser Performance was by far the largest builder with rights, through a sister company, to use the Laser and Laser starburst branding across about 80% of the world. Laser Performance has not approved the right to use the Laser and Laser starburst branding by the new Builders and so it became necessary to rename the boat – an ILCA. Laser Performance own a number of branding rights and the rig sizes Standard / ILCA 7, Radial / ILCA 6 and 4.7 / ILCA 4 are synonymous. All new Class legal boats will be branded ILCA.
Q. What is FRAND?
Fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory. It is a World Sailing requirement for all Olympic classes that means any boat builder can apply to become an Approved Builder under competition laws. The approval process is challenging for new builders to ensure they are able to consistently build boats strictly in line with the Class Construction Manual to ensure fair racing.
Fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory. It is a World Sailing requirement for all Olympic classes that means any boat builder can apply to become an Approved Builder under competition laws. The approval process is challenging for new builders to ensure they are able to consistently build boats strictly in line with the Class Construction Manual to ensure fair racing.
Q. Are there any Class Approved Builders based in the UK?
Yes, Ovington.
Yes, Ovington.
Q. Can you buy other approved boats in the UK?
Yes, currently 3 builders sell their boats in the UK. Potentially all 9 new Approved Builders can sell their boats in the UK. The UK based dealerships are:
Yes, currently 3 builders sell their boats in the UK. Potentially all 9 new Approved Builders can sell their boats in the UK. The UK based dealerships are:
Ovington – Sailingfast. www.sailingfast.com
Devoti – Dzero. www.dzero.co.uk
PSA – Sailboats. www.sailboats.co.uk
Q. How can you identify a Class legal hull?
From sail number 148200 boats have a unique World Sailing (previously ISAF) plaque permanently affixed to the rear of the cockpit. Earlier boats have the identification number moulded into the deck below the bow eye or into the transom (a sail number or unique production number). Existing Lasers and new ILCAs can both therefore be Class legal, it is the plaque which evidences this. No World Sailing plaque means it is not Class legal.
From sail number 148200 boats have a unique World Sailing (previously ISAF) plaque permanently affixed to the rear of the cockpit. Earlier boats have the identification number moulded into the deck below the bow eye or into the transom (a sail number or unique production number). Existing Lasers and new ILCAs can both therefore be Class legal, it is the plaque which evidences this. No World Sailing plaque means it is not Class legal.