If I were to start over again
Discussion
I used to sail, basically grew up on the water, started in a keel boat at about 6 weeks old (ballast 
) then onto Mirrors, Optimists, Merlin Rockets etc etc.
I gave up at around 16 (women
) and hadn't really missed it all that much until fairly recently. Parents still had boats so remained in contact with water, but now that's gone, I'm really feeling I'd like to get a boat and start sailing again.
However, I'm a little out of touch. Probably the last performance dinghy I sailed was an RS400, and I'm sure things have moved on since then. I would like to do a two man jobbie, as I have a brother and dad who I could have crew, and perhaps the eldest when he gets a bit bigger.
So looking at the other RS boats, the RS200 looks fun, has anyone got any experience of these, or any other ideas? My local club sail on the broads, so skiffs/cars are sadly out of the question!
RS200s or RS400s look tempting...
) then onto Mirrors, Optimists, Merlin Rockets etc etc.I gave up at around 16 (women
) and hadn't really missed it all that much until fairly recently. Parents still had boats so remained in contact with water, but now that's gone, I'm really feeling I'd like to get a boat and start sailing again.However, I'm a little out of touch. Probably the last performance dinghy I sailed was an RS400, and I'm sure things have moved on since then. I would like to do a two man jobbie, as I have a brother and dad who I could have crew, and perhaps the eldest when he gets a bit bigger.
So looking at the other RS boats, the RS200 looks fun, has anyone got any experience of these, or any other ideas? My local club sail on the broads, so skiffs/cars are sadly out of the question!
RS200s or RS400s look tempting...
I've got an RS200, it's a great boat and is fantastic fun downwind when the breeze builds! 
In real strong stuff downwind it is actually quicker than a 400 as well, due to having less area you spend less time attempting to keep it out of the drink and more time sheeted in and flying, it doesn't half upset the poor mites.
If you haven't sailed for a while you'll find it a little unstable I think (definately less stability than a 400) but you'll get used to it quickly.
It's an easy boat to sail, but as with everything, very difficult to sail well and takes a lot of practice.
If you get serious about your racing (or just drinking) then have a go at the championships, the socials are fantastic.... I think...
Oh, they also holds their value better than most other classes as the demand for them is so high.
G'wan you know you want to
In real strong stuff downwind it is actually quicker than a 400 as well, due to having less area you spend less time attempting to keep it out of the drink and more time sheeted in and flying, it doesn't half upset the poor mites.
If you haven't sailed for a while you'll find it a little unstable I think (definately less stability than a 400) but you'll get used to it quickly.
It's an easy boat to sail, but as with everything, very difficult to sail well and takes a lot of practice.
If you get serious about your racing (or just drinking) then have a go at the championships, the socials are fantastic.... I think...
Oh, they also holds their value better than most other classes as the demand for them is so high.
G'wan you know you want to
I like the Merlin, but fancy a change, 505 a bit big, Cherub too much to handle with an inexperienced crew (and helm ? )
An RS400 is a fast boat for the broads, don't get many trapeeze boats at all (only during regattas)
The RS200 looks like a fairly simple boat to get started with, considering my brother has never sailed before
Has anyone had a go?
Failing this, i'm going to take up windsurfing.
)An RS400 is a fast boat for the broads, don't get many trapeeze boats at all (only during regattas)
The RS200 looks like a fairly simple boat to get started with, considering my brother has never sailed before
Has anyone had a go?
Failing this, i'm going to take up windsurfing.
Nic Jones said:
There's no room for being a lazy b
d in these little racing dinghy's!I think the ideal combined weight is 20 - 23 stone, although people win races in stronger breezes at around 25 stone though.
Edited by Nic Jones on Monday 11th August 16:17
However, i'm close to 13stone (5'10) and he's over 6ft, so we may be on the heavy side...(he's skinny though - maybe 10 stone)
When I was off playing at Minorca Sailing to improve my assymetric skills I tried out a few of the RS's and some of the 'er boats. (29'er, 49'er & 29'erXX).
Personal preference was that the 'er range were slightly better sorted boats. The RS's (apart from the single hander) are all Phil Morrison designs and seem to suffer from his Merlin days of throwing random bits of string at the boat to make it go faster. The 'ers are a lot less uncluttered. Performance wise they were comparable (ignoring the 49'er)
If you're an ex-merlin man and want to get back into them, then try to get hold of a "Make it so" or "Make it so II" design. Absolutely brilliant boats.
Personal preference was that the 'er range were slightly better sorted boats. The RS's (apart from the single hander) are all Phil Morrison designs and seem to suffer from his Merlin days of throwing random bits of string at the boat to make it go faster. The 'ers are a lot less uncluttered. Performance wise they were comparable (ignoring the 49'er)
If you're an ex-merlin man and want to get back into them, then try to get hold of a "Make it so" or "Make it so II" design. Absolutely brilliant boats.
thewave said:
My local club sail on the broads
Norfolk Punt? http://www.norfolkpunt.org/
More seriously, the RS200 is a good boat and would be quite manageable with an inexperienced crew. Have you looked into what boats the local clubs sail/race?
rustyspit said:
thewave said:
My local club sail on the broads
Norfolk Punt? http://www.norfolkpunt.org/
More seriously, the RS200 is a good boat and would be quite manageable with an inexperienced crew. Have you looked into what boats the local clubs sail/race?
Locally, there's a good fleet of RS400s, Merlins, Lasers and a very large keel boat contingent (Waveney OD, Brown Boats and Squibs) - the latter two racing at Royal Norfolk & Suffolk aswell.
RS200 looks ideal
now....the wife
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