Laser 2 to Rs200 or RS400

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!

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.

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.

http://www.3000class.org.uk/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=81