VanderCraft V3000 ready for 2006 season

by Class media/Gerald New on 23 Jan 2006 The revamped Laser 3000 - now known as the VanderCraft V3000 - has a new website and has just published a list of events for 2006.

VanderCraft, builders of the Phantom have taken over the old Laser 3000 and the hull is now constructed in vacuum-bagged epoxy/woven glass has an absolutely first class finish. And it’s very stiff and light. No surprise to those familiar with Vander Craft’s Phantoms.

Some changes to the layout and rig have been made. The pole for the asymmetric spinnaker is now central, and the chute is formed, RS800-style, by a stainless steel hoop. The jib is tacked down onto the bar and the gennaker drops in front of the jib, so that there will no longer be a ‘wrong gybe’ to drop the kite on.

The new sails have been developed by Sobstad. The mast is now sealed, with halyards being run externally, and this should help reduce any tendency for the boat to invert when capsized. A gnav style kicker is fitted, giving more room for the crew and the mainsheet is now taken from the boom, skiff style.

Co-designers of the Laser 3000, Frank Bethwaite and Derek Clark, have contributed part of their design royalty to the class association. The class will now receive 1% of the value of new boats sold, to put towards events and subsidise training. Frank Bethwaite has in fact waived his royalties altogether, but wishes to keep his name associated with the design of the boat. A fine gesture on both their parts!

The Deep Freeze Trophy event runs from the start of December 2005 through to the end of February 2006. Members taking part in any club open pursuit or one-off handicap race over this period are eligable to enter. Simply divide your finishing position by the number of starters to calculate your score. Results are then posted on the class websiite.

The class is also introducing a new scoring system which it hopes will give greater reward to those successful at better-attended events while still recognising input of those less successful crews who nonetheless made the effort to travel. The devastating effect of DNC's in many other series will be avoided, giving more opportunity to those who are unable to attend a lot of events.

Laser 3000 and V3000 events in 2006:
13-14 May - Carsington (Derbyshire)
4 June - Queen Mary (London) one day open; possible Saturday coaching
2 July - Burghfield (Reading) one day open; possible Saturday coaching
29-30 July - Bassenthwaite (Lake District) as part of Bass Week
23-25 Aug - Royal Torbay (Devon)
30 SEP - 1 OCT DRAYCOTE (Rugby) for our 10th ANNIVERSARY NATIONALS
14-15 Oct - Rutland (Midlands) with the combined Laser asymmetric classes

For prices and availability please see the VanderCraft website at http://www.vandercraft.co.uk or phone Jeff Vander Borght on 07971 404617.

L/V3000 Association website: http://www.3000class.org.uk