RS200 or ...?

Originally posted by ben_a ... I think that it is really the combination of my lack of experience with a symmetrical kite, whilst trying to teach a novice that would be a dangerous combo...

It's not that hard. Just needs two working brain cells as opposed to the genneker's zero

There's a Scorpion fleet not far from you at Chew Valley. I'm sure someone there would teach you the basics. Then it's just a matter of practice.

Thanks for the thoughts so far...

Originally posted by SoggyBadger I think you're insulting your girlfriend's intelligence by not considering boats with a symmetrical spinnaker.

... I think that it is really the combination of my lack of experience with a symmetrical kite, whilst trying to teach a novice that would be a dangerous combo...

If I was less concerned about competition and the symmetrical kite then I'd probably look at a 420...  It would be cheap, and easy platform to learn to trapese for her.

The RS200 is in many ways a detuned 12 with a kite attached. Go sailing in both and see what she wants to do. There are a good few 12 events about...

I am returning to sailing after a 10year break.  I want to sail with my girlfriend who is completely new to the sport but is generally very sporty (climber / skier).

I am struggling to decide what boat to pick, and am looking for something that will provide me with some excitement and something to race at the club and some open meetings while also providing a good platform for her to learn to crew and possibly try helming in light winds.  An assymetric kite would seem feasible for her to handle, but I suspect that a spinnaker would be too much for a complete noob. 

After looking at the current batch of single wire assymetrics I came to the conclusion that we'd be better off in a hiking boat because (while a trapese is probably not too much to ask of her) she is both light and short so the benefit of putting her on a wire is limited. We currently weigh ~19st together.

This led me to the RS200 as the obvious boat which is raced in numbers at my local pond or an outside chance of a N12 which I would prefer (completely emotional desire 'cos they look cool), but there is only 1 that races locally so competition is limited.

The specific questions that I have are:

1) For those who might have sailed both the N12 and the RS200 is how does the RS200 compare in responsiveness / feel when sailing?

2) Am I mad to consider the N12 with limited competition or will I enjoy myself just racing on handicap (it's not like I expect to be winning anything in the next year or so).

3) Am I overlooking any other obvious boats?

My background:
A 'club' sailor who travelled a bit to some open meetings.
I used to sail a buzz which I found to be a forgiving but challenging enough to be fun when the wind was up.  I moved on to an RS600 and have to admit that I found it a handful (although this may have had a lot to do with the fact that I was only 9 stone at the time).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...