rs 200 furling jib?!

Hi. Further to asking on here advice on which boat to get, (see beginer boat choice question and answers by Portlandboy) the general consensus was an rs 200 would be ok for me and the missus as beginners (having just passed our rya 2!).

I now want to know if it's possible to make the jib furling so that we can lose power easily if the wind picks up too quickly, or if this is a ridiculous idea and stupid question..also would it be helpful to have an old sail altered by a sail maker to create a smaller training sail?

Please help as we are still confused how to play things but dead keen to get ourselves a dinghy that's good to improve on.

Cheers. 

Edited by portlandboy

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portlandboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 02 Nov 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote portlandboy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: rs 200 furling jib?! Posted: 09 Dec 09 at 8:03pm
	Hi. Further to asking on here advice on which boat to get, (see beginer boat choice question and answers by Portlandboy) the general consensus was an rs 200 would be ok for me and the missus as beginners (having just passed our rya 2!). I now want to know if it's possible to make the jib furling so that we can lose power easily if the wind picks up too quickly, or if this is a ridiculous idea and stupid question..also would it be helpful to have an old sail altered by a sail maker to create a smaller training sail? Please help as we are still confused how to play things but dead keen to get ourselves a dinghy that's good to improve on. Cheers. Edited by portlandboy

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 09 at 8:17pm
	Possible yes, wise no. And again yes. However I'd would question that the RS200 is really that great a choice as a beginner's boat.

olly_love Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1145	Post Options Post Reply Quote olly_love Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 09 at 9:08pm
	just get a smaller main, or one with a zip reef made, you could always try a laser 2000 mainsail and see if it fits. there may be some people getting rid of old kit that u can cut down for low money. and the advantage with a 200 is that u will learn quickly and not get bored just get a mast float to start
	TWO FRANK-Hunter Impala

zzzz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Mar 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote zzzz Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 09 at 10:44pm
	Lots of tips and help on how to sail a 200 on the class association website especially under the sailing techniques section: " http://www.rs-association.com/index.asp?fleet=RS200&sele ction=Tuning Guides" Best thing to do is go to some class training and learn the correct techniques. Would you want to furl the jib - no its tiny anyway (and the furling gear would completely foul the spinnaker). Would you want a cut down main - unlikely, its probably easier and a better long term investing your time and money into practice and training. A mast float as suggested above could make capsize recovery easier though. Good luck and most of all have fun

A Seabadger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote A Seabadger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Dec 09 at 7:18am
	Didn't see your orriginal thread about "what boat" but agree with Jim C, I would question a 200 as a beginers boat. I have seen too many people at our club terrified by their RS200 and stop sailing. Having said that the RS200 is a great boat.
	I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every moment of it.

Fans1024 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 30 Nov 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 177	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fans1024 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Dec 09 at 10:14am
	Can't see the point of a furling jib on the 200 as it holds no power, well a bit but not enough to worry about. When I first sailed a 200 with my brother, we were a wee bit too light for it [about 3 stone under the minimum] and we two mains. 1 normal racing one and the other was a semi batterned, reefable one. It enabled to get out more and gave us a bit more time to react [previous boat was a mirror]. Also, as its been said before... mast float and go to training days. Another thing, I would fit capsize lines. Don't get disheartened by the swims. Good luck and enjoy yourselves.

ellistine Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762	Post Options Post Reply Quote ellistine Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 09 at 9:31am
	Our Vago has a furling jib and to be honest it's horrible sailing it with the jib furled. You'll more than likely end up stuck in irons when tacking. The Vago does however have a reefable main which reduces the sail area massively. It can also be reefed whilst on the water. Funnily enough it's also for sale and in Weymouth if you wanted a look

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 09 at 9:59am
	Yep, the vago would be another good choice. The key thing about the jib is that it drives the bow through the wind on a tack. Too often people go out, it gets windy, so they drop the jib then struggle with just the main. Far better to drop the main then get back slowly and safely and well able to manoeuvre with just the jib.
	the same, but different...

Garry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536	Post Options Post Reply Quote Garry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 09 at 4:58pm
	I haven't seen the thread but would tend to agree with Jim, 200 is not a beginner boat but its also not that advanced. The big question is what conditions do you want to sail in and how comfortable are you with lots of capsizing while you learn. A lot might depend on what you learnt in but the 200 is not very forgiving and so needs to be sailed flat if you don't want to capsize. Don't bother with the furling jib or reefed main if its that windy stay ashore... which could well be anything over 12 knots until you get the hang of it. Suggest you try one and see what you think. Nessa's advice about dropping the main is sound for someone just starting, although without the main progress to windward will be painful (and near impossible in steep waves) and remember you won't be able to tack.
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk

ellistine Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762	Post Options Post Reply Quote ellistine Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 09 at 5:55pm
	If you're sailing out of the Academy (i.e. without safety cover) I would definitely say the Vago would be a good choice. We bought ours last year one month after doing our 1&2 and we've been more than happy with it. With Sail Laser having boats out on the water everyday they'll more than likely keep an eye on you if you're in a Laser craft.