Back to Search
Ilca 6 Laser Radial
Designer: Bruce Kirby  ·  Builder: Laserperformance.com  ·  First built: 1982
+ Add to Compare
About the Ilca 6 Laser Radial

Originally designed as the youth and lighter-weight variant of the iconic Laser dinghy, this single-handed sailboat has evolved into one of the world's most popular one-design racing classes. The Ilca 6 represents the modern iteration of the beloved Laser Radial, maintaining the same proven hull design while operating under updated class management. Built for competitive single-handed sailing, this boat excels in both club racing and high-level competition, including Olympic and World Championship events. The reduced sail area compared to the standard Laser makes it ideal for lighter sailors or windier conditions, while still delivering the responsive handling and pure sailing experience that made the original design legendary. The boat's simple yet sophisticated design emphasizes skill over equipment, featuring a single sail with no jib and minimal controls that reward technique and boat handling. Its lightweight construction and car-toppable size make it accessible for sailors seeking serious racing performance without the complexity of larger boats. Whether you're developing racing skills at the club level or pursuing championship competition, the Ilca 6 offers an uncompromising platform that has shaped generations of accomplished sailors worldwide.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 13.88 ft / 4.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Beam 4.49 ft / 1.37 m
Max Draft 2.62 ft / 0.80 m
Min Draft 0.33 ft / 0.10 m
Displacement 128.00 lb / 58 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 62.00 ft² / 5.76 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Dbrd. Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction FG
Designer Bruce Kirby
Builder Laserperformance.com
First Built 1982
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
39.08
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.07
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
3.56
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.74
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 200.54
How It Compares

vs. 420, Ilca 4 Laser 47, Sunfish

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
13.9 ft
420
13.8 ft
Ilca 4 Laser 47
13.9 ft
Sunfish
13.9 ft
LWL
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
12.5 ft
420
13.2 ft
Ilca 4 Laser 47
12.5 ft
Sunfish
13.0 ft
Beam
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
4.5 ft
420
5.4 ft
Ilca 4 Laser 47
4.5 ft
Sunfish
4.1 ft
Displacement
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
128 lbs
420
220 lbs
Ilca 4 Laser 47
128 lbs
Sunfish
129 lbs
Sail Area
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
62 sq ft
420
Ilca 4 Laser 47
50 sq ft
Sunfish
75 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
39.1
420
Ilca 4 Laser 47
31.9
Sunfish
47.0
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
2.1
420
Ilca 4 Laser 47
2.1
Sunfish
2.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
3.56
420
Ilca 4 Laser 47
3.56
Sunfish
3.25
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
420
42
Ilca 4 Laser 47
29
Sunfish
Hull Speed
Ilca 6 Laser Radial ★
4.7 kts
420
Ilca 4 Laser 47
4.7 kts
Sunfish
4.8 kts
Find a Ilca 6 Laser Radial For Sale