Laser 380 ray question

[scott reierson]

Does anyone remember if the Laser early 1980's LASER 19ft 380 Ray had a Balsa Core?

I saw a one at the drags recently. Gutted production boat. I assume they used balsa.

Thanks,
Scott

[largecar91]

I never did the core in mine but the 380 Ray was one of the best boats I ever had.

[mrichartz]

Mine was an 83 or 4 and No mine didnt and i know it was still untouched..when we gutted it and redid it all.
And YES it was definitely one of the best most fun and fastest boats ive had..Over 100 MPH with a bridge port 2.4 or the modded225 and could drive with one finger with the old twin cable steering..didnt make a habit out of it but...was 30+ years ago damn..lol..really regret selling it..

[FUJIMO]

...over the millenia i've heard nothing but good things about this hull/deck design. anyone build this exact same boat, out of the same molds, after laser stopped?... thx

[largecar91]

Starcraft did. Not sure of time line. Laser could have still been building them.

[largecar91]

The great thing about them is they are very fast and can turn very well. Before the air entrapment Mod VP's, they were the 1st boats to the pin

[FUJIMO]

...of all people, starcraft. remember what model name they called them or anything?

[largecar91]

Here's a picture of mine. I had a drag on it but I ended up putting a 225 Promax on it and it would run mid 90's and handles like it was on rails.

[scott reierson]

Well Thanks guys! I appreciate it. That's the info I needed! Just couldn't remember...

I drove 2 Recreational 380's for short time back in the day with stock 200/225 Mercs, Chopper prop setups. Seemed much better in lake slop compared at speed to the Vectors and Viking's etc.

Mr Large Car and mrichartz... I watched the 380 Ray/V6 Merc boats from the pit shore at the 1981 Havasu Classic. Saw Ally's, Lasers Streams, Stokers, Sleeks etc. Al Stoker was there with his ModVP/OMC setup. That was cutting edge at the time. Ron Hill and others were running 19 Daytona's. Was a great experience to watch.

Years ago, I took a short drive in the Starcraft copy. I can't remember what they called that model. I remember it was pretty much a direct copy though. Yes that was 30+ years ago for me also.

Question: I've read the history etc... I believe in 1984? the STV NN, Laser 380 and the LTV were being built at the same time. I'm not clear if those 3 were built at Lasers shop at the same time. In your experience how was the recreational 380 layup and deck bonding?

[FUJIMO]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=508290&d=1659457672

[wing nut]

Mine was a factory race boat. It has foam core.

[Noah Burns]

No, they never used balsa for core material.


Does anyone remember if the Laser early 1980's LASER 19ft 380 Ray had a Balsa Core?

I saw a one at the drags recently. Gutted production boat. I assume they used balsa.

Thanks,
Scott

[Noah Burns]

Once Laser stopped building them the molds were tore up from my understanding. I have one of the original hull molds in my shop that my Dad brought with him when they sold Laser to Ron Huff in 1985 I believe. There were several copies of the boat but none out of original molds as they were never sold to anyone outside the Laser brand.


...over the millenia i've heard nothing but good things about this hull/deck design. anyone build this exact same boat, out of the same molds, after laser stopped?... thx

[Noah Burns]

The LTV started production mid/late 1982, at that time they were making the 380, 16' and LTV models in various styles. Roark sold out in 1984(maybe 1985) and had a shop down the road where he built the first STVs (picklefork), not sure how many of those were made here in Texas but major production of the picklefork boats didn't start until he went to Tennessee. When Ron Huff bought Roark's part of Laser they had a deal that Huff wouldn't build any race boats in 380 or LTV, and neither would Roark. They both broke that agreement fairly quickly tho.

Lasers were built with tooling grade resins, I have always felt like that is part of why they A: were so strong and B: have held up so well over the years.

Personally I would only want one built between 1981 - 1985 as Mr. Huff was not a boat builder and the guys the guys that had been building them while Roark and my Dad were there had all left by '85.


Well Thanks guys! I appreciate it. That's the info I needed! Just couldn't remember...

I drove 2 Recreational 380's for short time back in the day with stock 200/225 Mercs, Chopper prop setups. Seemed much better in lake slop compared at speed to the Vectors and Viking's etc.

Mr Large Car and mrichartz... I watched the 380 Ray/V6 Merc boats from the pit shore at the 1981 Havasu Classic. Saw Ally's, Lasers Streams, Stokers, Sleeks etc. Al Stoker was there with his ModVP/OMC setup. That was cutting edge at the time. Ron Hill and others were running 19 Daytona's. Was a great experience to watch.

Years ago, I took a short drive in the Starcraft copy. I can't remember what they called that model. I remember it was pretty much a direct copy though. Yes that was 30+ years ago for me also.

Question: I've read the history etc... I believe in 1984? the STV NN, Laser 380 and the LTV were being built at the same time. I'm not clear if those 3 were built at Lasers shop at the same time. In your experience how was the recreational 380 layup and deck bonding?

[scott reierson]

Thank you Noah!

That core & resin info really helps. I do not need any re-core project costs.

[OnPad]

I have a 84 ltv. Has no core, but has a few triangular strakes of solid wood laminated inside of the boat. The strakes and stringers were in good enough shape to leave when I did my transom and knees.
The top cap is riveted to the hull, with just a couple of screws used for initial alignment. The only glue I found, was at the top of transom.

[revlimiter776]

...of all people, starcraft. remember what model name they called them or anything?
starcraft bought the molds from performance products.as far as i have read

[tlwjkw]

one of tha best built boats ta come outta Laser boats i've had tha pleasure of owning! twice.. '85 2550.. tha orginal owner (Doc Martin, Red did tha drivin').... Doc spent almost every day it was built at tha shop.. had tha absolute stoutest transom they ever put in one.. small fuel tank (like 8 gal), three kickers, dual "opposed" cable steering...... would buy it back today jus have...