Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
List classes of boat for sale |
Laser 2 to Rs200 or RS400 |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
680laser2
Newbie Joined: 15 Apr 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
Post Options
Quote Reply
Topic: Laser 2 to Rs200 or RS400 Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 8:18pm |
Hi all,
My wife and I have a Laser 2 and are looking to upgrade to a modern asymmetric. We've struggled to get on with the Laser 2 mainly because of the trapeze which my wife isn't hugely keen on! We're about 80kg and 60kgs respectively so have been thinking about an RS200, though wonder if perhaps we should go for a 400. I am a bit concerned that the RS200 will be a bit cramped or the RS400 too powerful for my wife. I'm 6ft however my wife is fairly lightly built. We'll probably do a bit of club racing and some recreational sailing. We want something reasonably exciting and have discounted boats like the Laser 2000 for that reason. The budget is fairly minimal looking at around £2500 - £3000 max. Any thoughts welcome. Cheers |
|
andymck
Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 10:04pm |
Where do you sail? what is sailed there? I would go with what is sailed at
your club. Andy |
|
Andy Mck
|
|
JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6648 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 11:09pm |
Go and sail both: you seem fairly sorted with your requirements. The 400 has a pretty baby kite and the hoists and drops (which are what really sap the energy) aren't too strenuous.
Performance/feel wise you won't find them very different from the L2 which is probably a better shape for all outspeed. Edited by JimC |
|
Ross
Really should get out more Joined: 02 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1163 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 10:00am |
Personally I would have the Laser 2 over both of them and an N12 if I had to choose a sitting down boat. Sounds like you want a 400 though.
|
|
Ross
If you can't carry it, don't sail it! |
|
vscott
Posting king Joined: 11 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 181 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 10:09am |
Trapezeing is much more comfortable than hiking out!
If possible you should try both and then decide - you might stick to the Laser2 |
|
Mk IV Osprey 1314 Think Again
Kielder Water Sailing Club |
|
Wes
Groupie Joined: 24 Aug 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 97 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 9:11pm |
At that size the RS200 would be a better bet, although the 400 is a great boat. I'm 6ft and I can easily fit around a 200 so size won't be an issue. The 200 is a better bet for a small crew, the sheet loads in the front of a 400 can be faily high. Not the sort of thing to encourage a smaller lady to start to sail. 200's also happen to be the most competative 2 person hiker in the country so if you get into open meets, you'll have some fun. 400's do tend to be a little cheaper than 200's, but then you get it back on the resale. I would reccomend the 200 even if you can't get a test sail but make sure you get your wife to try out a 400 before you buy one and if she likes it, you'll be able to get a lot of fun for your money. Ross - please note, "Modern asymmetric" - not a national 12. Any why on earth would you want the 2000? Why take the slowest boat from the 3? Both will feel more sporty than the L2K which is a bit of a barge. Not too sure where the all out speed thing comes from either, they seem to be slower than a 200 on all points of sail, let alone a 400! |
|
Guests
Guest Group |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 09 at 8:22am |
Having sailed both quite a lot, I think the 400 is a nicer boat, but the sheet loads in the jib are quite high and the kite system, whilst not difficult, is more of a kerfuffle than on the 200. If you are sailing on the sea the 400 may be a bit of a struggle. The 200 has big fleets and has very low sheet loads for the crew. I think a large part of the reason the 200 has proven so popular is that the kite so easy, probably the easiest kite on any boat ever. However it is tippier than the 400, and therefore can feel less secure, but the chances (and consequences) of capsizing are fairly small. The 200 doesn't like an overly heavy helm sitting at the back, but at 6ft and 80kg that is no problem. Wes - I think Ross was referring to the Laser 2, not the 2k. |
|
Jamesd
Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Feb 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 377 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 09 at 9:02am |
hmmm i tend to disagree. the 400 does not take a lot of grunt and with a largest helm you would be fine. i know alot of 4's crewed by small petite girls. the loads are not that high in the jib and if they are, just stick some ratchet blocks on them or 2:1 sheets. They are awesome boats to sail and without doubt one of the most harmonic, well behaved boats designed for a long long time. the 200 is also a good boat, a little under-powered if you ask me, but then i guess ive come from larger, faster dinghies. I never liked the 200, but the racing makes up for the boat. kinda like laser racing. for me that is! if for excitement, id probably go for the 400 as its just got a bit more power in the kite which means it gets up and goes alot earlier and you dont have to sit there with your hand on the boom downwind. oh and hiking a 400 is like sitting on a sofa compared with the 200. |
|
skslr
Posting king Joined: 24 Jul 06 Location: Germany Online Status: Offline Posts: 138 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 09 at 10:15am |
I am 1,9 m, about 85 kg, and still felt alright in the RS200, even at the front. It lacks the power of the RS400 but I liked the way the RS200 is fitted out much more. |
|
yellowhammer
Far too distracted from work Joined: 08 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 270 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 09 at 12:57pm |
I crewed and helmed a 200 in a F4-5 in club racing at Weir Wood, after a 3000 open ... 3-sail planing downwind was great fun, where a 400 might be intimidating ... hiking hard for long stretches upwind in this wind strength was uncomfortable, give me a trapeze any day ... your wife may have a change of heart after trying. The choice might be better based on the size of your water and what boat types are favoured there. Have you considered a Laser 3000, RS 500 or Vago ... taking away the faff of a symmetric kite might make trapezing more pleasurable? One of the last Laser 3000s built has just sold on the class website for an advertised £2500. |
|
Laser 3000 @ Leigh & Lowton SC
www.3000class.org.uk |
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |