RS600 Vortex or RS300

having owned a rs300 and sailed a vortex a few times, i would say if you go for a 300 then you will have to go for a A rig, while i had my 300(B rig) i was around the 62-67kg weight range and was only really just coping with the rig, but then i did sail it inland! on the sea will be a different matter, i nosedived a fair bit too... was fully powered up in 5-8knots. you have to be pretty quick to sail it as well as they are tippy(have sailed a foiling moth and it felt more stable on the foils than a 300 is ) have sailed it on the sea once and it handles very nicely, even with my poor upwind sailing in waves at the time.

the Vortex, have sailed ^Dave Blakesley's^ old one a handful of times and every time i came off the water with a smile on my face! great boat, stable, however i found you have to sail it more like a cat due to its "tunnel hull" at my weight i didn't once feel i wasn't able to cope with the boat, never had a issue with it nosediving myself but did have one close call, whereas the other lads at the club that sailed it seemed to go down the mine very often mainly on purpose/not being far enough back(mind you they had a lot more fat than me) and righting it i didn't find that much difficulty either.

the rs600 i cant comment on as have only ever seen them being sailed but from what i've seen/heard they fly upwind but can be dull off the wind. Sounds like you are too light for one, even with wide wings and a reefed sail.

personally at your weight i would go for the Vortex, as English Dave says you wont be able to go out in stronger winds before you get tired after a short sail


Edited by ratface

Yes, the vortex nosedives alot, but its very stable, and even without the
assym kit its alot of fun. The vortex is very easy to prevent nosediving, thats
what the footloops are for! Even though i had a vortex, i would still rather
have the 600 or the 300...
The 600 will be more difficult to learn how to sail, and involve a bit more
swimming, but would be much more rewarding in the end!

Edited by dave.blakesley

i was under 65kg when i started sailing the vortex and i
managed ok. im still only 65kg now and i have no problem
with it.
because it has a cat style hull it is easier to keep
upright.
it can be a pain trying to right it if you do happen to
capsize but if you learn to let the main go during tacks
you shouldnt have a problem. if you do happen to go
over, 60kg is a tiny bit light but if you find the right
balance point on the end of the lower daggerboard and
hold right on the end of the upper one it comes up
alright. you just have to have good hands for holding on
with.

and as it happens my boat is for sale :D

thanks for the information and hopefully im still growing
what is the minmuim weight for the vortex?

Edited by no limits

The Vortex is a good bet for your weight, especially if
there are other Vortex boats in the club. Get one with a
kite though as the single sail Vortex is too gutless
downwind. The Vortex is good in the waves, the hull is
tough as old boots and is accessible to sail. However,
your sailing skills will probably develop more on a 600
which is also faster.

Is 60kg "it" for you or are you still growing?