2nd hand National 12 or RS200?

All,

In my eyes being the owner of a mad looking nat 12, and having sailed an rs200, for any inland water there is no comparison. The nat 12 is by far better as raised above on handicap and you will be overtaking the 200's after about 2 minutes even though their handicap is quicker.

If you want a challenging boat then get a nat 12 due to all those hundreds of adjustable bits and bobs! But if you want a toy, but a 200.

The 200 is great boat but not as challenging/exciting as a nat 12.

Your choice.

Iain Walker

Nat 12 3404 "The arouser!"

go for a N12, RS200's are just conforming to the trend. Everyone has them, they're boring and look like a camels arse. But if you go for one then just make sure it's not a broken one!

Not bad clips Jack.

Sorry to send most of you to   by repeating old advice but  -  it really depends on what you want to do. If you want to club race and they sail 12s at your local club get one but if they sail 200s get one of them.

If you want to do opens with comparatively big fleets and one design racing get a 200. If you don't mind smaller (but very competative fleets) get a 12 - but be aware that anything more than a couple of years old will only be competative on small ponds or in the 'classic' fleet - where that exists.

Money wise, 200s hold value well, but a sub £1000 Nat 12 can't lose much either.

Edited by Hector

The 12 is always going to be a much cheaper entry level option.  For lake racing a 500quid example will win races while a 1K one will be competitive at opens. Boats of this age won't depreciate much so its a very safe way to try out the class.

The 200s kite and PY are misleading, modern 12s certainly appear to be faster upwind and down than a 200 in almost all conditions.  At starcross the 200s start 3 minutes ahead of the 12s but we usually catch them on the first lap, sometimes the first leg!  Not having a kite makes for one less expensive sail to be replaced.  With adjustable shroouds, a very full main and the dangly pole there's plenty of power available in a 12 offwind and plenty to keep the crew occupied.

Upwind the 12 will outpoint most other classes which is very handy on a handicap startline.  Boathandling is probably more critical with the 12, whether this is a positive or a negative will depend on your outlook: to start with it may mean more swimming but ultimately will give more satisfaction and make you a better sailor...

On top of that we're a very friendly bunch, so if you'd like a test sail hop on over to www.national12.org and say you're interested in trying one out.  Wherever you are in the country we're sure to have someone to lend you a boat for an afternoon.

Cheers

Tim
N3497 'Shiny Disco Balls'

i've owned both, the national will almost always do better on handicap on a small pond, but we sold our nat. 12 for a 200, for some fun downwind. Both boats are great, for different things rs200 is more fun, but more expensive, national's are cheaper (as ,long as you don't keep changing with the dev.) but can be tedious downwind, and fill up[ after a capsize.