Design and Construction
The Megabyte’s hull is solid fiberglass with a solid fiberglass deck, and the side decks are broad and chamfered on the edges, identical to those on the Tasar dinghy, as is the entire deck anchor. The cockpit well is unusual: the sides of the cockpit bond directly to the bottom of the boat, so there is no cockpit sole as such, and the resulting real cockpit averages 15 inches deep, noticeably larger than a Laser’s. Both the daggerboard and the dagger rudder are built from aluminum extrusions, keeping the appendages light and rigid. The displacement is listed as identical to a Laser’s hull weight, yet the bigger hull permits carrying friends aboard, making the boat suited to family daysailing.
Rig and Handling
A carbon fiber mast carries the Mylar sail, which holds 20 more square feet than a Laser’s, and a unique bungy cord set into the luff gives the sailor positive sail-draft control anchor. A traveler is fitted, and an additional set of hiking straps is placed forward for a crew member. The cat rig keeps deck handling simple for singlehanded sailing while the extra sail area rewards weight placement and breeze.
Accommodations
There are no cabins or berths in the conventional sense; the Megabyte is an open dinghy whose size makes it suitable for family daysailing anchor. The real cockpit, deeper than a Laser’s, and the forward hiking straps let an adult and a child or two share the boat for short coastal outings.
Refits and Ownership
Performance Sailcraft, which finished the boats at its plant, launched its 150th Megabyte and signed on an additional hull and deck builder to meet demand anchor. With Zim Sailing no longer producing the class, owners rely on the legacy network and existing tooling for parts, and the Tasar-derived deck simplifies some composite repair logic for those familiar with that class.
The Verdict
The Zim Megabyte is a thoughtfully scaled singlehanded dinghy that borrows a proven deck from the Tasar, adds a powerful Mylar rig on carbon, and keeps the hull weight of a Laser while giving more room and sail. It is a daysailing and teaching platform rather than a racer’s offshore weapon, and its discontinued status places a premium on finding a clean example with sound aluminum appendages.
Pros
- Big, stable 14'3" singlehander with 5'2" beam and 100 sq ft Mylar rig
- Tasar-identical deck and broad side decks ease handling and repair
- Aluminum daggerboard and rudder, carbon mast, luff bungy for draft control
- Deep 15" cockpit and forward crew straps suit family daysailing
Cons
- No longer produced by Zim Sailing; legacy class with limited factory support
- Open dinghy with no enclosed accommodation
