ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 13.88 ft |
| LWL | 12.5 ft |
| Beam | 4.49 ft |
| Draft | 2.62 ft/ 0.33 ft min |
| Displacement | 128 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 4.7 kn |
About the ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7)
Same hull as the ILCA 7 (Laser-International) and ILCA 6 (LASER RADIAL), but with a smaller sail plan making it more manageable for lighter sailors (under 125 lbs.). Visit the ILCA (International Laser Class Association) for a complete list of class approved builders.
The ILCA 4 (formerly Laser 4.7) is a high-performance, single-handed racing dinghy designed by Bruce Kirby and built by Laserperformance.com starting in 2000. With a displacement of 128.0 lb and a LOA of 13.88 ft, it is a lightweight, unstayed cat-rigged boat intended for competitive sailing rather than cruising.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for single-handed racers and advanced sailors seeking a responsive, high-performance dinghy for coastal racing and training. It is not designed for cruising, bluewater passage-making, or liveaboard use.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 128.0 lb, a capsize ratio of 3.56, and a comfort ratio of 2.07, this boat is strictly a coastal racing dinghy with no offshore or bluewater capability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the ILCA 6 (Laser Standard) and ILCA 7 (Laser Radial), which share the same hull design and rigging philosophy but differ in sail area and target sailor weight. Other high-performance single-handed dinghies like the 420 or Etchells serve similar racing roles but with different crew configurations.
Direct variant of the ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7)
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 13.88ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
13 reported issues across 5 systems for the ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7)? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 13 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the ILCA 4 (LASER 4.7)
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