| Author |
 Topic  |
|
sandy
49 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jan 2009 : 16:35:53
|
I have just received an email from a fellow Stratos Centreboard owner and was surprised to learn that from January 2009 Laser will no longer be selling the Stratos Centreboard version. He had been looking at the Laser website and found a notice to say that the Stratos Centreboard has been discontinued:
http://www.laserperformance.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=925&Itemid=620
I have tried to contact Laser today to get some clarification but have been unable to get through as they are closed until 5th January. The website states that spares will be available for 2-5 years, which I don't find very encouraging. You may want to contact Laser to see what they say about this availability of spares. I will try to contact them as well and post any response.
The Stratos Keel will continue to be available.
Sandy
|
|
|
neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jan 2009 : 20:11:35
|
Sandy
(Northampton) Sailboats have now taken on the spares provision for the 4000s and 5000s (may be doing the old 3000 as well I think) so that might be something to explore longer term (how long will Laser continue with the keel ?).........I think that we are pretty similar to the 2k for most things and given its popularity we should be ok but are they next ?
No surprises really given their move to the Bahia (no contest against the Stratos)and things like the Vago that laser are going this way if it is correct. It looks like we might have lost the Loyality vs profit argument !
On another note I think you said via an e mail that the Nationals had been booked.......can you confirm the dates as I have lost my e mails !
Thanks and happy new year to everyone (hope you have a good seasons sailing)
Neil (270) |
 |
|
|
neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jan 2009 : 20:21:45
|
Forgot to ask......is our centreboard the same size as the 2K ? (I think that will be the main bit we are vulnerable on for replacement).
Cheers
Neil |
|
|
|
pcarter
United Kingdom
81 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jan 2009 : 03:52:25
|
I was worried about the same part too. I've just checked the parts diagrams for both boats. It appears that the centreboard is the same part number on both boats so it looks as though they are interchangeable.
Pete 789 |
|
|
|
neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jan 2009 : 09:18:35
|
Just a few thoughts on this whilst there is no wind .......
This could in the long run be to our advantage.......I got my spinnaker sock made by Suffolk sails for £45, exactly the same as the laser one which is £90 +....whilst we may still get sails for a few years from Laser it might be a chance to look at cheaper (but just as good) options for sails which at the end of the day are probably the biggest replacement outlay...Laser for along time have had a monopoly on this and hence have been able to charge what they want (disadvantage of a one design with one large supplier)....RS are generally cheaper but are in the same position
Do we keep the Laser brand name or just call it the 'Stratos Class Association' ?
Other classes have thrived in similar situations so I am sure we will
Perhaps for the AGM
Still no wind !
regards
Neil (270) |
|
|
|
stratos796
6 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jan 2009 : 10:39:45
|
hello and happy new year to all
I've checked the laser website as well with regards to the centre board
they say the stratos L2000 and vago all share the same centre board.
iam also very very disapointed with laser for deciding to stop building the laser stratos c/board.
I dont think it will be to long before the same happens to the keel version, as they seam to be going down the plastic fantastic road as did topper sailboats!! which makes them more money as they are a lot easier and faster to build.
with regards to them only keeping spares for 2-5 years, the stratos was not a cheap boat there for i feel they should have a bit more loyalty to their customers over this as some of us have bought in the last 1-3 years.
i think 5-7 years would be more kind to your customers laser!! |
|
|
|
bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jan 2009 : 15:07:44
|
hi and a happy new year too,
drop the laser from the ass. name, yes, they dropped us a while ago didn't they?
I talked to one of the 'laser people' and the stratos hull was one of the few things that are still made here in England. everything else comes in a container from the far east , so no surprises there then!!
Car clubs that I belong to hold there own spares or have them made, could this happen here?
On a different subject, got my boat out yesterday, sails on and then it got so cold we had to put it away without sailing  , the 8 year old moaned so much before we set off of been cold, I couldn't face another hour of it. I think he was probably right  , as by the time we had packed it back up I was frozen and felt quite exhausted, a cup of tea sorted me out , but it is very cold right now!!
anyway enjoy the new year
Neill, Cambridge 622 [centre board  ] |
|
|
|
neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2009 : 19:09:27
|
Sandy...not sure how you faired but I e mailed Laser to state my dismay about lack of communication and the situation re spares and so far absolutely no response.........no surprises really. Thanks for putting the dates on for the Nationals, hopefully we will ahve bit less wind than 2008 !
Cheers
Neil |
|
|
|
pcarter
United Kingdom
81 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2009 : 13:00:44
|
Strangely enough - I've just received an email from LaserPerformance advertising their presence at the London boat show. In the email is a listing of prices of boats for sail at the show including the Stratos centreboard from £8295. Interesting marketing.
Pete 789 |
|
|
|
bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2009 : 20:57:13
|
hi all
just got back from the boat show and the stratos keel is on the stand, but no center board!!!
ho hum
neill cambridge |
|
|
|
G Hardwick
United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 16:42:11
|
What if any legal or copyright issues are there from branching out away from Laser given they are no longer marketing the class.
I would be particularly interested in opening up the replacement sails market, all we need to do is get Hydes to help us with measurements, alter the rules and allow any sailmaker to supply, just like the traditional classes with sails measured by an RYA measurer, or am I being completely naive.
I would have thought Hydes would be supportive as I am sure their margins supplying Laser aren't that high, and if they aren't we can always do it without them. |
|
|
|
simon thomas
7 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 09:24:29
|
I am after some reassurance, please.
I was a Laser 4000 sailor with my wife in a previous incarnation but now we have 3 kids under 5 and think the Stratos would be ideal for club racing and as a family boat for us. I have an offer in on a boat on your website which is newish and has had little use.
I did the deal before finding out about Laser pulling the plug but have yet to complete. My obvious worry is that the value of the boat may plummet,much as the 4 and 5Ks did when Laser stopped supporting and producing them. I worry that if the kids don't like it and my wife can't find the time to sail with me, it could be a very costly mistake.
So I'm tempted towards a Wayfarer, which I think is a lot less fun (and might require me to grow a beard, though I understand these are now in fashion) but a good deal cheaper with much less risk of depreciation. Is the class still strong, do you think; is there, for example, still a National Championships or strong Cruising Club? I'm keen to be swayed back towards the Stratos as I sailed one many years ago in Menorca and liked it very much, but I don't want to get my fingers burned financially.
Thoughts gratefully received,
Simon Thomas. |
|
|
|
stratos796
6 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 11:26:25
|
hello simon
I think the stratos c/board or keel is the best boat in the market for your needs.
From new i worked out that ive lost about £650 - £750 a year on my stratos centre board.
When you compare with some other classes of dinghys/sail boats, this seams to me pretty good.
With laser not building the stratos c/board anymore ,it could go either way because they are so sought after they wont go up in value but might stay quite strong in the s/hand market.
but i dont think they will drop massively as they are still building the keel version and most parts are the same, for how long this might go on for we dont know.
laser??
hope this helps you simon
|
|
|
|
simon thomas
7 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 20:44:36
|
| Thanks very much, Simon. Is there still a national championships do you know? |
|
|
|
neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 21:30:37
|
Simon
Whilst I am biased go for it. Yes there are still nationals (Whitstable this year) and last year I think we had about 15 boats. Whilst the withdrawl of the centreboard is frustrating from a lack of communication point of view from laser practically it wont be a problem. The keel will still be made, we share most parts with the 2K and longer term it might present us with an option for cheaper replacement sails etc (subject to change in class rules)....as you maybe aware the 4k and 5k have gone to Northmapton sailboats for their spares now and that is always an option longer term I suppose.
I sail other boats but my favourite is the Stratos as it really is so flexible.......
Regards
Neil (270) |
|
|
|
neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 21:35:11
|
Simon
Should have said Mike Beggs I think normally puts something on here re crusiing at Lymington where there are some boats, not sure if thats helpful ?
Neil |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Stratos Centreboard Discontinued by Laser
