Musto skiff or RS700

Redback RS600 I allways go over to windward, very gusty northeast wind, yesterday, was a force 5 then 3 then back to 5 in 10 seconds so got some practice at capsize drill on the reach downhill .got a dry suit on so conserve energy by floating in the water after landing .I float around the back  . step on rack then the boat then dagger. from their with (narrow wings) I just step over, and head for rudder, reverse steer or forward steer, works 98% of the time for me kicker on or off, just takes longer with kicker on no waves.sometimes quicker to pull boat turtle but used more energy. depends if your racing,or wind direction.

Im getting more practice at swimming now, changing to standing up all the time,Hard in a 600 but now feel standing up is the way to go. in gusty conditions you can have the trapeze wire higher if you hook on from standing. easier to get in when the wind drops after a bad gust. no sure if standing is the fastest but it now seems better than before.? or just lots of time in boat this week.

some good video musto http://video.google.com/videoplay?.docid=288882912642364528& amp;a mp;q=stenhouse

Edited by Wrighty

Yes I got out on the board easy enough.  It was after righting that I found difficult - the damn thing takes off before you're halfway in and then luffs and capsises again.  Its all in the technique I'm sure, its just I haven't got it yet.

I've heard of more than quite a few people moving from the 700 to the MPS, but not the other way round. I've also noticed quite a few sailors move from 49ers and 14s to MPS also, may be due to the strength of the class in those areas providing a good format for strong fleet racing. Conversely there are areas predominately dominated by 700s however they seem to be closer geographically to RS and the South. RS benefits from the brand status and MPS has advantages through very keen, enthusastic racers and class association. I once heard parallels being drawn comparing the MPS to a single-handed 49er and the 700 to a single handed 800, and although quite simplistic, the analogy rings quite true to me, not based on performance but boat characteristics. Personally, I prefer the MPS just through design, it strikes a chord with me. The 700 is probably a good boat but I just prefer the MPS. Choosing between them, whatever boat was dominant locally would be my choice, but my admiration would be with the MPS.

I chose the musto purely because I saw it before it saw the 700 and it therefore grabbed my childhood dream boat status!  The recent purchase has concluded that my childhood dreams were brilliantly chosen....well done younger me, i thank myself!
I would still very much like to sail a 700 and cost wise they are remarkably appealing.

Doug.h

There are probably 3 main factors in the difference as I see it:-

1.  Weight Equalisation - 700 has it, MPS doesn't.  Whether it's a good thing or not seems to be entirely personal opinion, not to mention highly emotive.

2.  Ergonomics of cockpit - 700 has pump-up pump-down kite and MPS has hand over hand.  700 is easy to sit down in, MPS is a "stand up to move around" type of boat.  All again, entirely personal preference. 

3.  Price - the 700 is a LOT cheaper secondhand, MPS's do seem to hold their value (which is saying the same thing really, I guess!).  You pays your money you takes your choice.

Other than that, all other factors are within a nat's whisker the same...  speed, weight, sail area, cost of parts, size of fleet in UK, boats / fleets overseas, class assocation, coaching, help, friendliness, circuit, website,......

So it probably comes down to which boat suits you best personally, and numerically in terms of fleets near to you.

Incidentally, the comment about kites, in my opinion comes down far more to the condition of the kite than anything else.  The 700 kite I think is a bit taller and shorter on the foot, the MPS a bit shorter on the hoist, and fuller lower down.... ultimately there's nothing particularly easy or difficult about gybing either, just down to technique and practice. 

Paul

P.S. Usual disclaimer, these are only my personal opinions, and not those of my employer, club, class association, friends, family, etc.... yawn.