Laser Pico Dinghy
The laser Pico is a beginners to improvers boat with a high boom and self draining cockpit. It was designed in 1995 by Olympic medallist Jo Richards. Its a single person dinghy but can take a crew if required.
The Pico is made in Tecrothene 109 thermo plastic construction that provides high structural uniformity and consistency, immense stiffness and exceptional impact strength, you won't be able to break it easily. Buoyancy is built in. The mast is 2 piece aluminium and has a click on kicker. The rudder and centre board are easy to lift, and the centreboard has a shock absorber. Sail area can be reduced by reefing.
The Pico is a popular boat for beginners and competent sailors alike. Many sailing schools use Pico's for training whilst the boat is exciting enough for more experienced sailiors.
Sailing Dinghy Specifications
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Dinghy comments and advice
Picos are great and underestimated; I am relatively new to helming and am learning to sail in estuary and on the sea; something like a Europe or Laser would be too much for me as I am very light - so if I get my technique wrong I'm in trouble.
A Laser Pico can be sailed from reefed training sail to race sail which makes the whole experience quite different and workable over a wider set of conditions for me. In a blow, a Pico can be quite exciting, but is also more forgiving than so many other singlehanders. It's going to be enough to let me continue to develop and have fun for some time.
I wish people who don't sail Picos were slightly less rude about them (bath tubs / my jib is larger than your mainsail ect!), and also that Pico sailors were a bit more active in promoting their boats in the same way that sailors of other classes are - they shouldn't just be left to the sail training centres!
A Laser Pico can be sailed from reefed training sail to race sail which makes the whole experience quite different and workable over a wider set of conditions for me. In a blow, a Pico can be quite exciting, but is also more forgiving than so many other singlehanders. It's going to be enough to let me continue to develop and have fun for some time.
I wish people who don't sail Picos were slightly less rude about them (bath tubs / my jib is larger than your mainsail ect!), and also that Pico sailors were a bit more active in promoting their boats in the same way that sailors of other classes are - they shouldn't just be left to the sail training centres!
I recently sailed at Carsington SC in 20mph winds in a Laser Pico and was amazed how fast the wind was pushing me, simply aweseome. Now to pass my RYAII end of May 09@' then watch out World.
We've had a pico for three years now and it is the best £1500 I've ever spent. I've had two adults out in a force 8 with a combined weight over 35st and it was some of the fastest sailing I've ever had. It is so simple to sail, so forgiving, and child's play to right.
On the other hand my 8yr old is happy to rig it and take it out on her own in a light breeze.
That said if you do find yourself surfing downwind in a force 8 can I suggest you tack rather than gybe. It's a bit twitchy and no matter what we tried to control it we went for a swim when the boom came over. Oh and keep the weight back as it tends to dig into the back of the wave in front and then you pitch pole. ;^)
It is very quick to rig and get sailing, my record is less than five minutes from arrival at launching trolley to setting sail.
On the other hand my 8yr old is happy to rig it and take it out on her own in a light breeze.
That said if you do find yourself surfing downwind in a force 8 can I suggest you tack rather than gybe. It's a bit twitchy and no matter what we tried to control it we went for a swim when the boom came over. Oh and keep the weight back as it tends to dig into the back of the wave in front and then you pitch pole. ;^)
It is very quick to rig and get sailing, my record is less than five minutes from arrival at launching trolley to setting sail.
I have sailed a PICO sport for three years. I have loved every minute of it. I am lartger than most Pico sailors at 6'1" and 16 stone. I have taken it out in light through to 20+ winds.
My mylar sail is in need of slight repair, wear is appearing at the battonpockets. My suggestion would be to use a Mylar SPORT sail only for racing and as a second sail.
The Pico is easy to sail for all ages but the thought it can be lifted onto the roof of a car is only true if you have plenty of willing supporters, it is not a one man job.
My mylar sail is in need of slight repair, wear is appearing at the battonpockets. My suggestion would be to use a Mylar SPORT sail only for racing and as a second sail.
The Pico is easy to sail for all ages but the thought it can be lifted onto the roof of a car is only true if you have plenty of willing supporters, it is not a one man job.
I have sailed a Pico for 7 years from the ripe old age of 8 to my current age of 16. I cannot compare the pico to any other boat as i have sailed no other. all i can say is it has not yet failed me in any wind from gentle breezes to high wind that i was advised not to sail in. and has taken anything i could throw at it (which includes bouncing of the occasional rock) .
But from learning to intermediate sailing i have enjoyed every second so far and am sure i will continue to do so !
But from learning to intermediate sailing i have enjoyed every second so far and am sure i will continue to do so !
I've been sailing for 40 years, and the last five on the Laser Pico has been worth every moment. It is great fun, simple, fast, and forgiving. It planes easily and is difficult to capsize. I have no complaints whatsoever and heartily recommend it to any sailor, from beginner onwards.
Bought a Pico 6 months ago, great, fast for a beginner, yet confidently stable, easy to rig, out on the water in minutes whilst others are on the shore still setting up the rigging.
I chose this so my son could sail, but found it performs well with both of us as crew.
I chose this so my son could sail, but found it performs well with both of us as crew.
After doing the first 2 days of my rya level 1 and 2 courses at galloway on first a wyfairer and then topper the move to the pico for days 3, 4, 5 was like moving from a bus to a porsche. At the time in the high winds i found the dinghy very exciting to sail and very easy to to right. I love the pico and am considering buying one for my daughter to use. What a blast !
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