VanderCraft 3000
Formerly the Laser 3000, now built by Vander Craft
The Laser 3000 has always been very popular with schools, colleges, training and teaching establishments as well as holiday companies.
keen to see the 3000 survive after Laser ceased production the Laser 3000
association approached Jeff Vander
Borght. Laser were very positive
and helpful to maintain production and after-sales support. An
agreement was reached with Laser and the designers allowing Vander Craft
to take over production.
Vander Craft see the market developing for the committed racer, ideally suited towards couples, the smaller adults , and or child combination in the 90 to 160kg weight range. A number of shortfalls with the original design identified by the class association were rectified by Vander Craft who also made further improvements, that can be retro-fitted to older boats. These include:
- A Gnav, which vastly improves cockpit space for the crew.
- Off-the-Boom mainsheet (Skiff style).
- The fully sealed Proctor/ Selden mast improves the tendency to invert in a capsize.
- New North sails have an improved head design and modern appearance.
- The Gennaker is now a more up to date shape being slimmer and taller allowing much closer sailing into wind.
- The jib has a slightly larger roach with battens resulting in a more efficient overlap improving light wind performance.
- The Gennaker pole now exits the bow; (previously it was off-set to one side)
- The new tack bar is made of stainless steel.
To improve performance in the light to medium conditions the hull is constructed using epoxy resin and foam-sandwiched vacuum bag, similar to the Phantom. This produces a very stiff, strong and light boat weighing in at 55 kg.