3000 (dinghy)
# 3000 (dinghy)

The 3000 is a racing sailing dinghy crewed by two persons with a trapeze for the crew. Launched in 1996 as the Laser 3000, the 3000 was developed from the Laser 2, using the original Frank Bethwaite-designed planing hull combined with a new designed self-draining deck by Derek Clark. Clark also re-designed the rig, using spars and sails from premium proprietary sources and replacing the symmetric spinnaker of the Laser 2 by a larger asymmetric spinnaker (gennaker). The gennaker is chute-launched and retrieved using a single halyard line, and is set on a retractable bowsprit. Helm balance and handling were improved using a shorter-footed mainsail with two full-width battens giving a larger roach. A mast with conventional spreaders replaced the now-unusual diamond arrangement of the Laser 2.

The 3000 offers fast, exciting yet easy sailing, particularly for lighter sailors - couples, parent-child and teenage combinations are common at 3000 events. A modest rig size and forgiving nature means that if other classes are sailing on a windy day, any reasonably competently crewed 3000 will be able to join them and enjoy a sparkling sail.

    Pointing high with the gennaker

The 3000 class organises racing for both the original boats built by Laser alongside boats sometimes tagged 'V3000' and currently built to the same design by VanderCraft. The latter are constructed from woven glass and epoxy resin using vacuum-bagging to produce a boat which is very stiff and light yet durable.

The mast on current boats uses externally run rigging to enable their being sealed and thus buoyant, reducing any tendency for the boat to invert in a capsize. Other innovations introduced with the boats included a centrally mounted bowsprit, a compression-strut kicker or 'Gnav' in place of the conventional kicking strap or boom vang, and ‘off-the-boom’ sheeting with a take-off block at mid-boom fed from an aft bridle. The latter two rigging variations give considerably more room in the boat for the crew members, and remove any objections levelled at the original boats of being cramped due to their centre-bridle and conventional kicker. The class rules permit all variations introduced since the original Laser 3000 to be retro-fitted to existing boats, which can generally be done with minimal trouble or expense.

While the original Hyde sails from Laser have proved to be still competitive, North Sails now offer an alternative using the latest cloth technology. North jibs are somewhat larger and require mounting right at the bow; a furlable Dacron jib is offered, as well as a Mylar jib which is battened and a little larger still.

The boat is easy to sail singlehanded, optionally using the jib, gennaker and/or trapeze, the latter being easy to use thanks to the deck layout and lack of racks. Most boats are sailed two-up, however, and class events presently cater for this crew format. The class association organises open meetings, including a national championships and, recently, coaching days. The atmosphere at all these events is friendly, with advice available for newcomers.

## Vital statistics

### Dimensions

* Length 4.40m
* Beam 1.46m
* Mast Height 6.02m

### Sail areas

* Mainsail 8.60m²
* Jib 3.2m²
* Gennaker 12.80m²

### Weights

* Hull 54 kg
* Trolley 28 kg
* Trailer 45 kg

Portsmouth Yardstick Number: 1085 for Laser 3000; Class recommended 1007 for Vandercraft

## National Champions

| Year | Venue | Type | Sail | Helm | Crew | Club | Comments |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2019 | Carsington Water SC | L3000 | 3464 | Max Buswell | Will Farrant | South Cerney SC | L3000 (unmodified) wins against V3000s for the first time |
| 2018 | Rutland SC | V3000 | 3602 | Matthew Wolstenholme | Peter Wolstenholme | Bough Beech SC | In their own boat |
| 2017 | Rutland Water SC | V3000 | 3604 | Nick Arran | Myles Ripley | Carsington Water SC / Sedbergh School | |
| 2016 | Rutland SC | V3000 | 3604 | Nick Arran | Alli Williams | Carsington Water SC | |
| 2015 | Rutland SC | V3000 | 3603 | Matthew Wolstenholme | Peter Wolstenholme | Bough Beech SC | Borrowed Tony Hunts V3000 |
| 2014 | Grafham Water SC | L3000 | 3113 | Michael Carver | Henry Hutchinson | Hunts SC | No V3000 entries. |
| 2013 | Grafham Water SC | V3000 | 3602 | Peter Heyes | Amy Adams | Wilsonian SC | |
| 2012 | Grafham Water SC | V3000 | 3602 | Peter Heyes | Amy Adams | Wilsonian SC | |
| 2011 | Grafham Water SC | V3000 | 3601 | Joe Pester | Paul ‘Murph’ Murphy | Ullswater SC | Very windy, several sails in tatters and a broken rudder |
| 2010 | Grafham Water SC | V3000 | 3601 | Joe Pester | Paul ‘Murph’ Murphy | Ullswater SC | |
| 2009 | Grafham Water SC | V3000 | 3603 | Tony Hunt | Suzanne Hall | Wilsonian SC | The five V3000s took the top five places |
| 2008 | Rutland Water SC | V3000 | 3603 | Tony Hunt | Suzanne Hall | Wilsonian SC | |
| 2007 | Draycote Water SC | V3000 | 3603 | Tony Hunt | Suzanne Hall | Wilsonian SC | |
| 2006 | Draycote Water SC | L3000 | 3448 | Tony Hunt | Suzanne Hall | Wilsonian SC | First Appearance in Nationals for V3000 |
| 2005 | Royal Torbay Yacht Club | L3000 | 3144 | Jim Hill Jones | Laura Jack | Devon Schools SA | |
| 2004 | Rutland Water SC | L3000 | 3538 | Alice Brotchie | Jamie Mayhew | Royal Hospital School | |
| 2002 | Rutland Water SC | L3000 | 3462 | James Hamerton | Guy Draper | Royal Hospital School | |

## Youth Champions

The following are the Youth Champions (U18) for the 3000 Class who compete in the same event

| Year | Helm | Crew | Club/School |
| - | - | - | - |
| 2019 | S Gunning | S Sancar | Sedbergh School |
| 2018 | Jac Bailey | Jacob Knock | PDSC |
| 2017 | R Copley | G Thomas | Sedbergh School |
| 2016 | J Thomas | G Thomas | Sedbergh School |
| 2015 | E Barnes | I Van Ruiten | Pennine |
| 2014 | E Barnes | I Van Ruiten | Pennine |
| 2013 | K Fleck | C Turner-Richard | Sedbergh School |
| 2012 | K Fleck | C Turner-Richard | Sedbergh School |
| 2011 | P Shellcock | R Shellcock | Sedbergh School |
| 2010 | P Shellcock | L Collins | Sedbergh School |
| 2009 | B Blake | G Blake | Queen Mary |
| 2008 | G McAulay | B Blake | Queen Mary |
| 2007 | A Manouchehri | L Howson | Sedbergh School |
| 2006 | I Westropp | A Manouchehri | Sedbergh School |
| 2005 | A Jack | L Hands | Devon Schools Sailing Association? |
| 2004 | H Sharpe | G Butler | Royal Hospital School |
| 2003 | J Hamerton | G Draper | Royal Hospital School |
| 2002 | J Hamerton | G Draper | Royal Hospital School |
| 2001 | C Prosser | G Draper | Royal Hospital School |
| 2000 | T Houghton | J Brookes | Devon Schools Sailing Association? |
